Student Research Assistant – Forest Entomology

In order to ensure your application is received by NAIT for thorough review and consideration, please apply directly through our Careers site at

Please Note: This is a one-year casual opportunity that will commence on May 4, 2026, and end on April 30, 2027.

Please Note: This position will require relocation to Peace River, Alberta.

Do you like bugs? Does the idea of sorting and identifying more than 25,000 insects sound like a dream job? Well then look no further - we are looking for a self-motivated and science-minded individual to join our research team within the Forest Reclamation and Reforestation Team at the Centre for Boreal Research (CBR). A key requirement in this role is a passion for all things entomology

This one-year internship will support an applied research project that is examining the biodiversity of ants, beetles, and spiders on a recently reforested industrial site. Activities will include setting up insect traps, field collection of insects, sorting insect samples and identification of insects. Overall, this position will include a mix of field work, lab and desk-based work, requiring a variety of skills, independent thinking and strong organizational and interpersonal skills to work in a fast-paced and busy team setting.

Key Responsibilities (the relative composition of activities will vary by role and season):

• Insect sorting and identification – this is expected to comprise 80% (or more) of your time.
• Field work: insect trap setup and collections as well as vegetation identification work on this research site as well as others.
• Laboratory work such as root washing, weighing biomass and soil samples.
• Data entry.

Skills & Abilities:

• Experience or training in the identification of ants, beetles or spiders.
• Strong attention to detail.
• A secret passion for doing highly repetitive work.
• Be physically fit as this position requires some outdoor work on uneven terrain.
• Ability to work independently and in a team setting.

Qualifications:

• Enrolled (or recently graduated) in a diploma or BSc program in Forestry or Biology.
• Class 5 license with clean drivers 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:

• $ $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