Day: March 16, 2022

Volunteer with the UVic Global Community! The UVic Global Community is looking for Undergraduate and Graduate Conversation Partners and Mentors for the 2022-2023 Academic Year (September 2022 – April 2023) who want to help build an inclusive, globally-minded campus and support international students with their social and academic transition to UVic. Global Community Volunteers are matched with up to three students and meet with their student(s) for a minimum of 1 hour every week throughout the term to encourage students to get involved in the UVic community and build confidence in conversational English, all while making connections with people from around the world. Our Spring Application Deadline is March 27^th, 2022. For more information and to apply click here!

LOCAL FIELD TECHNICIAN POSITIONS _INSECT COMMUNITIES IN GARRY OAK ECOSYSTEMS ON VANCOUVER ISLAND, BC (TWO POSITIONS)

We are looking for two local field technicians (to Vancouver Island, BC) to work on a project led by led by Dr. Kirsten Prior at Binghamton University SUNY (priorecologylab.com) on insect communities in Garry oak ecosystems. The two local technicians will be part of a larger team that includes researchers stationed in Oregon/Washington State. The two teams will sample insect communities and assess leaf damage in their respective regions – in the native region (Washington/Oregon) and expanded region (Vancouver Island, BC) of a range-expanding insect, Neuroterus saltatorius.

Duties will involve travel to and from field sites around Victoria, Sooke, and Duncan, BC, collecting insects from trees, collecting habitat and spatial data, setting up and running experiments, performing leaf surveys, sorting rearing and identifying insects, and data entry and processing. Given the nature of conducting time-sensitive surveys in the field, and the logistics of traveling to several regions, the work schedule should be somewhat flexible, and work hours will depend on when tasks need to be completed and on weather conditions. The technicians will coordinate with the southern field team to pair activities. The candidates need to like to spend time outdoors, be comfortable hiking long distances on hilly terrain, be able to travel considerable distances in a vehicle, be able to work well in a team, and to maintain a positive disposition under field conditions. The candidates should also have an ability to focus, be motivated to complete sometimes tedious tasks (e.g., working with small organisms), be motivated to learn to identify species in the field.

Qualifications include: 1) a Bachelor’s degree in biology, ecology & evolution, entomology or related field (or working towards a degree; 2) previous field research experience is strongly preferred; 3) must be local (i.e., live around the Victoria, BC area); 4) Be mature, responsible, flexible, dedicated, and motivated. 5) Be able to work well as a part of a team, including frequent communication with the PI (Prior) and southern field team. 6) Be able to hike long distances and in hilly terrain. 7) Must have a valid driver’s license, and potential use of car (with reimbursement for gas and mileage) is helpful.

Compensation: Salary is commensurate with experience (~$700 CDN per week).

Start-end Dates: late May – early-August (dates somewhat flexible), up to 2.5 months.

To apply send (1) a short cover letter explaining your interest in the position and qualifications; (2) a CV or resume; (3) the names and contact information (email and phone number) for three references. Email the document as a single PDF file (file name should include your last name) to Aly Milks (PhD student, Biology) (amilks1@binghamton.edu) with “Western oak_field assistant position” in the subject line. We will begin reviewing applications immediately. Please apply as soon as possible, but by April 8^th for full consideration.