Job Description

The Faculty of Arts is seeking an undergraduate Student Research Assistant to contribute to research on precision agriculture in Canada. The student(s) will work on a NSERC-SSHRC Sustainable Agriculture Research Initiative (SARI) project team, and they will contribute specifically to research on the following areas: Technology Transfer; Precision Agriculture; Food Security; Climate Change Mitigation; and Compatibility between Traditional and Modern Farming Practices. The student(s) will work under the direction of Drs. Joshua MacFadyen (Applied Communication, Leadership, and Culture program and GeoREACH Lab) and Yuliya Rashchupkina (Political Science and the School of Climate Change). They are conducting research on the social barriers and opportunities for capacity building, knowledge, and technology transfer around climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies in agriculture. This research project is one of the components of the SARI project of the School of Climate Change and Adaptation titled "Development of Transformative Precision Agriculture Technologies to Ensure Food Security and Mitigate Climate Change: A State-of-the-art Approach to Promote Sustainable Agriculture".
RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Complete literature reviews
• Assist with the research design
• Assist with the applications for ethics review
• Plan interviews and focus group interviews with growers in Atlantic Canada
• Analyze research data
• Perform other duties as required

QUALIFICATIONS:
Successful candidates will possess the following qualifications:

• Must be a current UPEI student
• Strong familiarity with climate change mitigation and adaptation in the agriculture sector of Canada, traditional knowledge in agriculture, Indigenous knowledge and food systems, political economy analysis, or the barriers and opportunities around adoption of technology among Canadian farmers
• Social science or communications background (ACLC, political science, sociology, history, or economics are preferred)
• Good writing skills
• Ability to critically review library and Internet sources
• Expertise and previous experience with field research
• Ability to work independently and to perform tasks on short notice
• Must be reliable and responsible

Priority will be given to University of Prince Edward Island students in accordance with Recruitment, Selection, Hiring and Employment Policies and the Procedures manual.
Application Instructions:
Please submit electronically a cover letter, quoting the competition number, a resume and reference list to be received no later than the closing date via the link below.
If you are unable to apply online, you can drop off your resume to the Human Resources Department, Kelley Building, University of Prince Edward Island, 550 University Avenue, Charlottetown, PEI C1A 4P3, Fax Number 902-894-2895.
UPEI is committed to equity, diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation and believes in providing a positive learning and working environment where every person feels empowered to contribute. UPEI is committed to the principle of equity in employment and encourages applications from underrepresented groups including women, Indigenous peoples, visible minorities, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity, and others with the skills and knowledge to productively engage with diverse communities. If you require accommodation in any part of the process, please direct your inquiries, in confidence, to our HR Officer, . Applications will not be accepted via email.
Only those applicants who are invited to an interview will be acknowledged.
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Skills Required