Scientific Data Assistant

IISD Experimental Lakes Area (IISD-ELA) is the world's freshwater laboratory. A series of 58 lakes and their watersheds in northwestern Ontario, Canada, IISD-ELA is the only place in the world where scientists can research on and manipulate real lakes to build a more accurate and complete picture of what human activity is doing to freshwater lakes. The findings from over 50 years of ground-breaking research have rewritten environmental policy around the world—from mitigating algal blooms to reducing how much mercury gets into our waterways—and aim to keep fresh water clean around the world for generations to come.

IISD-ELA is operated by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)—an independent think tank headquartered in Winnipeg situated on Treaty 1 Territory—the ancestral lands of the Anishinaabe (Ojibwe), Ininiw (Cree), Anisininew (Ojibwe Cree), Dene, and Dakota Nations, and the homeland of the Red River Métis Nation. The IISD-ELA field station is situated on the traditional land of the Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty 3 Territory and the homeland of the Métis Nation.

About The Position
The Scientific Data Assistant will support the Scientific Data Team in optimizing IISD-ELA data and systems, especially the IISD-ELA Postgres master database. The master database holds long-term data integrated between IISD-ELA scientific research areas (meteorology, hydrology, limnology, chemistry, and biology). The assistant's work will improve the data quality of the database in terms of completeness and consistency and strengthen the wider data system infrastructure. The data team's work is mainly in the realm of data engineering, as opposed to data analytics or data science. Essentially, the assistant will carry out technical tasks to assist the Scientific Data Engineer in completing data management or data engineering projects coordinated by the Scientific Data Manager.

Responsibilities

• Run data pipelines and follow procedures to extract, transform, and load data (via FME, ArcGIS, Python, SQL, and R) to ensure incoming data sets are processed and updated in the master database on a regular basis.
• Communicate with the Scientific Data Team and research scientists to ensure changes to data are understood and done correctly.
• Investigate and clean historical data using logical scripts (SQL, Python, R).
• Produce clear and concise summaries of data work done to document database improvements (MS Word, commented scripts, GitHub markdown).
• Improve metadata and systems documentation by consolidating existing information into user-friendly formats (MS Word, GitHub markdown).
• Support the preparation of data and metadata for submission as data packages to external repositories.
• Update the IISD-ELA publications database as needed.
• Perform other data-related duties, depending on the Scientific Data Team's tasks at hand and the candidate's specific strengths.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in, or completed within the last 12 months, a college or university undergraduate program relevant to database management (e.g., information systems and technologies or computer science; otherwise, these may be components of a degree in natural sciences, business, or other subjects).
• Experience writing in programming language(s) and querying data (e.g., SQL, R, and/or Python).
• Experience using GitHub and producing written documentation via GitHub markdown.
• Attention to detail and well-organized.
• Ability to work independently (remotely) with limited supervision.
• Effective communication skills with coworkers, clients, and supervisors.
• Effective writing skills in the context of summarizing and integrating information and following aesthetic formatting standards (for metadata and systems documentation).
• Ability to troubleshoot errors and issues when carrying out technical computer work.

Asset Skills

• Knowledge background in environmental or natural sciences disciplines (e.g., chemistry, biology, geography, limnology).
• Experience working with Postgres or other types of relational databases.
• Experience running data pipelines, e.g., Safe Software FME workbenches or Python scripts.
• Experience using GIS software for geoprocessing and cartography purposes.
• Familiarity with AWS services, e.g., EC2 or Lambda.

Work Conditions

The IISD-ELA research site is located remotely in northwestern Ontario, off the Trans-Canada Highway 17, at the end of a 30km gravel road (maintained, with restricted access). Transportation to and from the field station to Kenora and Winnipeg will be available on weekends. The IISD-ELA provides on-site living accommodations and food. Accommodations include a shared bedroom, gender-inclusive showers and toilets, and common lounge areas. Bed linens and laundry facilities are provided on-site.

There will be ~60 students, staff, and researchers living and working at the IISD-ELA research station over the course of the field season, with our Education & Relations team supporting additional day tours and overnight field trips/courses, along with our Communications team arranging media presence (i.e., photographers, videographers, and journalists) at the site. Currently under construction is our Centre for Climate and Lake Learning, which also involves numerous building professionals, materials, and equipment coming to and working on the site.

More information about the IISD Experimental Lakes Area organization and our research facility can be found at 

Term: The contract is for a full-time 4- or 8-month position (May 4, 2026 to Aug 28, 2026 and/or Aug 31, 2026 to Dec 31, Please indicate in your application your availability (which months or date ranges).

Compensation: CAD $726.06 to $1,119.75 per week, depending on experience and education.

Employment Type: Existing position (recurring seasonal role)

Application deadline: March 6, 2026 @ 8:00 AM CST.

Application Procedure

All submissions must be in English. Accommodations for job applicants with disabilities are available on request.

Candidates must hold appropriate work authorization for Canada.

Applications will only be accepted through Bamboo HR.

Please include the following:

• A CV (required; no longer than two pages)
• A cover letter (required; one page)
• IISD Voluntary Self-Identification Questionnaire (optional)

Resumes will be kept on file for one year.

We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only candidates advancing in the recruitment will be contacted for an interview. We kindly request that candidates do not pursue further contact.

IISD is committed to fostering a more equitable and sustainable world and welcomes candidates who uphold our values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition, to correct the conditions of social injustice and disadvantage in employment around the world, we encourage candidates from historically marginalized groups, including women, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, and those who identify themselves as 2SLGBTQIA+, to apply for this position. Preference will be given to the equity-deserving groups during the hiring process. We offer reasonable accommodations in our recruitment process and seek applicants' advice on how best to accommodate their needs. Please self-identify and answer our employment equity questionnaire when you apply.