Student Research Assistant – Forest Ecology

In order to ensure your application is received byNAIT for thorough review and consideration, please apply directly through our Careers site at www.nait.ca/careers Please Note: These positions will commence on May 4, 2026. We have 4- and 8-month contracts available, and are looking to fill multiple positions. Please Note: These casual positions will require relocation to Peace River, Alberta for the duration of the contract. We are looking for self-motivated and science-minded individuals to join our research team this summer within the Forest Reclamation and Reforestation Team at the Centre for Boreal Research (CBR) (led by Dr. Amanda Schoonmaker). This position will assist with the execution of applied research projects across a range of topics including forest reclamation, post-harvest reforestation, and forest management research. These positions are largely field-based (90% or more) though activities will include a mix of field work, lab/greenhouse work, and desk-based work, requiring a variety of skills, independent thinking, strong organizational skills, and ability to work in a fast-paced and busy team setting. Fieldwork involves extensive walking through diverse and uneven terrain, with crews typically covering 5–10 km per day. Field days can last up to 10 hours and occasionally longer, following a condensed schedule of 8 days on and 6 days off. Positions may also support routine lab and greenhouse activities as well as desk-based work including data entry and organization. Key Responsibilities: Assist researchers in the establishment and monitoring of research sites. This will include activities such as plot layout, seedling planting, soil sampling, vegetation identification, seedling growth and physiological measurements as well as larger tree measurements in mature forest stands.Routine plant care in greenhouse setting; preparing fertilizer mixes, watering plants, clean-up of greenhouse space.Laboratory work such as root washing, weighing biomass, and processing soil samples.Data entry and assistance with technical reporting.Skills & Abilities: Strong attention to detail –collecting scientific data requires mental diligence and the ability to do routine, repetitive work for several hours or days.Experience driving 4WD trucks on gravel roads.Vegetation identification training and experience.Be physically able to perform extensive outdoor work on uneven terrain following the condensed schedule described above.Ability to work independently and in a team setting.Experience operation trailers and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs – not compulsory). Qualifications: Enrolled (or recently graduated) in a diploma or BSc program in Forestry or Biology; college students will be given preference with respect to funding for some of these positions, but both college and university students will be considered.Class 5 driver’s license with clean driver’s abstract. Applicants with education credentials earned outside of Canada should have their credentials evaluated by World Education Services (WES), International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) or the Comparative Education Services (CES). Remuneration:  $17.48 - $21.69 per hour, rate of pay commensurate with education and experience, plus 12% in lieu of stat holidays and vacation accrual. (Classification – Student Research Assistant I).Successful candidates will be eligible for a monthly living allowance of $650.00. This position is covered by the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) Collective Agreement. Please submit a resume and cover letter to be considered for this opportunity. About NAIT We are proud to have been named one of Alberta’s Top Employers for 14 consecutive years. Being part of a community that makes a difference in the lives of students, staff, industry clients and partners, NAIT’s culture reflects our shared values of respect, collaboration, celebration, creativity, and accountability. People are what make NAIT great, and we prioritize the employee experience. We offer benefits and unique perks focusing on health and wellness, work-life balance, recognition, and professional and personal growth. In addition to excellent vacation time, we offer paid time off between Christmas and New Year's. NAIT supports a flexible work environment, enabling staff to request approval for on-campus, off-site, or hybrid work arrangements based on the nature of the role. Please note that remote positions require employees to reside within Canada. NAIT is committed to fostering a safe environment that supports equity and cultivates inclusion through our Centre for Community and Belonging (CCB) and our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy. We are a proud partner of the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion and Pride at Work Canada. While we encourage all qualified applicants to apply, only those being considered will be contacted. If you require any accommodations, please connect with us at careers@nait.ca.  #LI-JN2 #LI-Onsite -