Full Time Research Technician to Support Surveys for Endangered Bats and Mammalian Field Energetics Studies.
Primary Purpose: The Lane lab in the Department of Biology at the University of Saskatchewan is recruiting a full-time technician to support two field-based research projects. Approximately 2/3rds of the time will be allocated to coordinating and performing surveys for endangered bats in Saskatchewan, and approximately 1/3rd of the time will be allocated to supporting mobile energetic physiology research of wild mammals. The initial appointment is for 18 months with the possibility of extension.
Nature of Work: The individual in this position will be responsible for supporting two large-scale field-based projects. First, they will coordinate province-wide searches for critical and important habitat for endangered bat species in Saskatchewan. Responsibilities for this role will be varied and include (but not be limited to): site visits to potential hibernacula in the province; land-owner meetings; coordination with collaborators (including government and not for profit agencies); interviewing, training and overseeing temporary field workers; and associated administrative duties (e.g., financial record keeping, preparation of permits and reports). Second, they will transport, maintain, provide training in, and oversee the use of a mobile field energetic physiology lab. The lab is housed within a 30’ trailer and visits field locations in Saskatchewan, Alberta and the Yukon. It contains portable respirometry (to measure metabolic rates) and quantitative magnetic resonance equipment (to measure body composition) and will be used to measure these parameters in wild mammals at established study sites.
Typical Duties or Accountabilities:
• Field visits to locations throughout Saskatchewan to survey for endangered bat
hibernacula and maternity roosts.
• Deployment of remote acoustic monitoring equipment.
• Supervision and coordination of temporary (summer) field technicians.
• Coordination with non-government and government collaborators.
• Analysis of ultrasonic (echolocation) traces from remote monitors.
• Administration (e.g., application for permits and preparation of final reports).
• Towing of mobile field laboratory to locations in Alberta, Saskatchewan and the Yukon.
• Maintenance of equipment in mobile field laboratory.
• Training in use of equipment in mobile field laboratory.
Qualifications
Education: Candidates must have completed an undergraduate degree (graduate degree is preferred) in ecology, physiology, wildlife science or a related field.
Licenses: Clean driving license.
Experience: Candidate should have experience in: conducting field work, project coordination, trouble-shooting and problem solving (e.g., dealing with equipment malfunction while in the field), communication with academic and non-academic audiences. Experience with the specific protocols in place (e.g., energetic physiology and/or remote acoustic monitoring) is considered an asset, but not a requirement.
Skills: Candidate must have excellent interpersonal, communication and organizational skills. Resiliency and problem-solving abilities in remote locations is a necessity. Ability to operate a one ton truck, towing a large (30’) trailer is necessary. Specific skills in wildlife energetics and acoustic research are considered assets.
Please send applications as one pdf, including a cover letter, CV and names and contact information for three references to the email address below.
Inquiries regarding this position can be directed to Jeffrey Lane at jeffrey.lane@usask.ca.