Research Assistant (pELAstics)

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.

pELAstics is a cross-institutional collaborative research group, focused on studying the fate and effects of microplastics in freshwater ecosystems (https://thepelasticproject.com/). Microplastics are ubiquitous in freshwater lakes and reservoirs. However, little is known about the potential impacts of microplastics to freshwater ecosystems or how they are distributed in the natural environment. The majority of microplastics research happens in laboratories, which cannot be extrapolated to whole ecosystems. A multi-year, whole-lake experiment  is being conducted to gain a better understanding of how microplastics affect the structure and function of ecosystems by filling key research gaps and providing critical evidence to inform policies aimed at mitigating plastic pollution. For the past 3 years microplastics have been added to Lake 378, and the project is now entering the recovery and monitoring phase. Led by Dr. Chelsea Rochman, this project links researchers from across North America from various institutions, non-profits, and government agencies.

About the position

The Research Assistant (pELAstics) will be assisting the pELAstics Biologist and graduate students in conducting research in the field and laboratory at the IISD-Experimental Lakes Area (IISD-ELA) research facility. The Research Assistant will participate in data collection for the whole-lake microplastic experiment including microplastic fate sampling, water quality monitoring, and the collection of biological samples (e.g. zooplankton, insects, fish). The Research Assistant will be trained on all field and laboratory procedures and methods, with protocols readily available. In this role, the Research Assistant is expected to effectively and efficiently work independently and as part of a team in a fast-paced remote environment.

Responsibilities

• Assist with the collection of field samples for a variety of water quality and biological parameters;


• Assist with the processing of samples in a laboratory that requires a high level of precision and accuracy, even after long days in the field;


• Maintain, organize and clean field and laboratory equipment;


• Operate and maintain various field vehicles (all-terrain vehicles, trucks, vans) on highways and gravel roads;


• Operate boats with outboard motors;


• Completion and transcription of detailed and accurate field notes;


• Assist in processing, shipping and transporting field samples to project collaborators.


• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Enrollment in a university or college program leading to a degree in Biology or Environmental Sciences;


• Must be able to do strenuous fieldwork that involves transporting heavy field gear to lakes;


• Motivated and hard-working individual;


• Highly adaptable and able to effectively carry out instructions;


• Strong attention to detail for repetitive data collection;


• Work well in a collaborative team environment;


• Willing to work long hours in diverse conditions (e.g. hot, cold, rain, buggy);


• Ability to work safely in a remote field environment that requires flexibility and teamwork;


• Confident in and around water;


• Willing to live in a remote location for 4 months in shared accommodations;


• Candidates must possess or be willing to obtain valid certifications for the following prior to the start of their term:
  
  
  
  • First Aid/CPR with AED
  
  
  • Pleasure Craft Operator’s card
  
  
  • Driver’s licence
  
  
  • ATV licence (training offered at ELA)
  
  
  
  

 Asset Skills

• Work experience in environmental sciences;


• Knowledge of field sampling/water quality or limnological sampling;


• Experience operating small motorized vessels with an outboard motor, manual transmission vehicles, and all-terrain vehicles;


• Experience working in a laboratory setting;


• Experience using various hand and power tools;


• Organizational skills.

The successful candidate will have an affinity for the outdoors and a passion for environment conversation and sustainability. 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 https://www.iisd.org/ela/.

Term: The contract is for a 4-month term, from May to August, with an opportunity for possible extension until November.

Compensation: CAD $726.06 to $1,119.75 per week, depending on experience and education. Food and accommodations are included while working on-site.

Employment Type: Existing position (recurring seasonal role)

Application deadline: February 16, 2026, at 8:00am CST. Applications will be reviewed as they come in.

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 curriculum vitae (CV)


• A current academic transcript (can be a web transcript; please include it within the CV document)


• A cover letter (500 words maximum) outlining previous experience(s) in areas related to IISD-ELA research


• IISD Voluntary Self-Identification Questionnaire (optional; right-click to download) 

 
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. Resumes will be kept on file for 1 year. 

 
Resumes will be kept on file for one year. 

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