Research Assistant (Water Quality) in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario at NORDIK Institute

About NORDIK Institute

The Northern Ontario Research, Development, Ideas and Knowledge (NORDIK) Institute is an innovative community-based research institute affiliated with Algoma University. It is committed to the practice of holistic community development and has established strong links with other research institutes, universities, and colleges. NORDIK is committed to building local research capacity by working closely with its community partners and providing mentorship to new researchers and community development practitioners. For more information, please visit www.nordikinstitute.com.

Work status

All applicants must have proof of legal working status in Canada. At this time, we do not identify or sponsor international applicants who do not already have working status.

About the role

Supervised by: Dr. Michael Twiss and Dr. Elaine Ho-Tassone

Location: 1520 Queen St. E., Sault Ste. Marie, ON P6A 2G4

Supervises: None

Wages: 18.75

Duration of employment: 1 year

Anticipated start date: July 6, 2026

Primary Function: The Research Assistant (Water Quality) will split his/her/their time between two community based water quality projects.

Responsibilities:

• Operating a water quality monitoring station, ensuring collection of continuous and accurate data
• Calibrating and maintaining equipment
• Organizing data sets and contributing to river health reports
• Preparing water samples for testing, filtration and labelling
• Conducting basic laboratory analysis, field sampling and/or eDNA sampling
• Maintaining data integrity and quality assurance
• Conducting outreach and knowledge dissemination, including lay-language regional data reports and organizing and participating in community events
• Preparing communication materials
• Creating technical reports, public webinars and year-end reports
• Contribute to mentorship of interns, educational programming in public schools, and training of new volunteers
• Assist with recruiting monitoring volunteers
• Attend orientation meeting, check-ins, office hours, and other relevant meetings or gatherings
• Other duties as assigned

Qualifications:

• Must be willing and able to work onsite in Sault Ste Marie and in the field across this region (there is no possibility of remote work - this is an in-person role only!)
• Must be (at the time of applying) a new entrant into the work force, OR transitioning to a new career, OR be unemployed or underemployed and entering a new field.
• Must not have previously participated in a NOHFC-funded internship.
• Must be at least 18 years of age.
• Must be legally entitled to work in Canada for the full duration of internship.
• Must have a valid class G driver's license.
• Must be able to cross between the US-Canada border.
• Must have formal training and/or experience in water quality analysis, environmental monitoring, and laboratory techniques.
• Must have a science-based undergraduate degree completed; graduate degree in the sciences is preferred. Degree should be in chemistry (preferred), environmental science, biology, civil or environmental engineering, or a related field.
• Must have strong analytical and problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication.
• Must have demonstrated leadership and coordination of complex activities and diverse, non-science teams, ideally in a science environment (but demonstrated non-science experience is acceptable)
• Should have demonstrated proficiency in using laboratory equipment and software for data collection and analysis (e.g., database spreadsheets or specialized data management tools).
• Should have familiarity with water testing methods, such as fluorometry, turbidity measurements, and microbiological sampling, and experience using computer controlled water sampling devices are assets - but not required (on-the-job training will be provided).

Application deadline: Open until filled.

Other information: Northern Ontario Heritage Fund Corporation