Blog and Opportunities

The Greater Victoria Green Team will be hosting a habitat restoration activity at UVic to remove invasive plants on Feb. 8th that we’d love for you to join and share with your community! This is a fun, hands-on opportunity to spend time outdoors, meet people, and make a real difference for the local ecosystem! 

NO EXPERIENCE NEEDED: we provide gloves, tools, snacks, and instructions. This activity is open to all ages and abilities, and will run rain or shine.

All we ask is that participants come prepared with long sleeves and pants, a water bottle, and clothes suitable for the weather. The rest is taken care of!

Here are the details:

Date: Sunday, Feb. 8 

What: Invasive English ivy Removal

Where: Alumni Chip Trail entrance at University Drive (near Cedar Hill X Rd)

Time: 9:45am –1:00pm (join for as much time as you are able)

Sign up: bit.ly/gvgt-feb8-2026  or email: Kaitlin@GreenTeamsCanada.ca

Everyone has something positive to gain from these activities whether by getting fresh air, exploring the forest, connecting with others in the community & making friends, gaining hands-on experience, and so much more!

Are you an international student preparing for your co-op term and looking for guidance on obtaining a co-op work permit?  ICS will host in-person Co-op Work Permit Application Drop-in Hours to provide one-on-one assistance. Refer to the links below for detailed information about these drop-in sessions on co-op work permit assistance.

Get Work-Ready: Co-op Work Permit Application Assistance

·         February 10: 11:30am to 1:00pm (PT)

·         February 12: 3:00pm to 4:30pm (PT)

The Warkentin Prize is in recognition of the vision and passion of Dr. Benno P. Warkentin who was an international scholar, teacher, and mentor in the field of soil science.

He believed that young scientists should publish their findings as a means to advance the science of soil and to recognize the contribution that soil science research continues to make towards human welfare.

A prize of $750 has been established to recognize an outstanding recent graduate or current student who has published a refereed article or graduate thesis in the field of Soil Science. 

The application deadline for this award is
February 6, 2026
11:59 p.m. Pacific Time

Optional Letters of Reference will be accepted until
February 13, 2026

Applicants or nominees must submit a brief application via our awards form which can be found at this link:  https://forms.gle/xVegfb4vvvorHp4e8

If you have technical challenges with your submission, email prsssawards@gmail.com

First time published authors are encouraged to apply!

Students who meet the eligibility requirements may apply directly for this award or can be nominated by a PRSSS or CSSS member.  Eligibility is as follows:

• The applicant or nominee must be a current PRSSS member
• Previous recipients of the award are not eligible for subsequent awards
• The PRSSS accepts nominations from PRSSS and CSSS members

The Warkentin Prize is awarded by the Faculty of Land and Food Systems at the University of British Columbia on recommendation of the PRSSS.

Click here for a PDF document with more details.

We are excited to invite you to our upcoming Zoom session dedicated to those interested in pursuing graduate studies in Forensic Science. With the regular application deadline approaching, this will be another information session for the September 2026 intake of the MScFS program. If you’ve been considering advancing your education, better preparing yourself for the job market, or both, this is the perfect opportunity to learn more about our MSc. Forensic Science program at Trent University. We are currently accepting applications; our regular application deadline is February 1, 2026. (with reference letters and other associated documentation to be received by February 15th)

Session Details:

·         Date: Thursday, January 22nd

·         Time: 8:00 PM – 9:00 PM (EST)

Location: Virtual (Zoom)

·         Register here:  https://trentu.zoom.us/meeting/register/9UXATD5TT-mY0jn8NLeFyQ

In this session, we will give an overview of the program and answer key questions, including:

·         Am I eligible to apply to the MSc. Forensic Science program if I don’t have a background in forensic science?

·         How do I prepare a strong application?

·         What can I expect during the application interview?

·         What courses are offered in the program?

·         Where can I complete my summer placement?

·         What types of careers can I pursue after graduation?

Don’t miss this chance to get your questions answered and start your journey to admission!

Life Sciences BC is hosting our 7th Annual Career Connect Day on Friday, January 23, 2026, at the Vancouver Convention Centre – a full-day event bringing together BC’s leading life sciences employers, students, and job seekers. This is the largest life sciences career event of its kind, with hundreds expected to join for employer booths, career-focused programming, and networking.​ 

Event details 

• When: Friday, January 23, 2026 | 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM PT​ 
• Where: Vancouver Convention Centre East

• Students $25
• LSBC Member $25
• LSBC Non-Member $40

Get Your Ticket!

PLATINUM SPONSORS: AbCellera | Acuitas Therapeutics | adMare BioInnovations | Innovative Medicines Canada | Johnson & Johnson Innovative Medicine | Pfizer Canada | STEMCELL Technologies

GOLD SPONSORS: Blakes LLP | GlaxoSmithKline | Merck | Novartis | Roche | Xenon Pharmaceuticals |  Zymeworks

Hello students of Western Canada and the Pacific Northwest!

It’s that time of year again, the 47th Annual Pacific Ecology and Evolution Conference (PEEC) is once again back at the Bamfield Marine Sciences Center, and we are now accepting registration and abstracts! This conference is organized and run by graduate students for early career scientists, and is an amazing opportunity to share your work, get valuable feedback from peers, and network with other students in your field in a supportive and casual environment.

We invite students addressing ecological and evolutionary questions across a range of backgrounds and study systems to present their work in either a 12-minute presentation, a 3- minute condensed talk, or a poster. However, presenting is not mandatory: simply attending and helping this think tank by listening and asking questions is also encouraged! Indeed, by bringing people from different labs, departments, and universities together, PEEC creates a melting pot of scientific thoughts and innovations, and an opportunity to network outside your school and research group.

This 47th edition of PEEC will be happening on April 3-5th, 2026 – so start planning now! The conference fees will be $300, subsidized thanks to our generous sponsors. Along with the conference this includes two nights accommodation and meals in Bamfield at the Bamfield Marine Sciences Center, a great chance to see the research facilities they offer to graduate students. Registration is now open and will close on March 6th. The registration form and other information about the conference can be accessed via our website www.peec.ca.

For more information, feel free to contact us at peec.conference@gmail.com, or visit our website and social media accounts (see below). We look forward to another successful and exciting PEEC this year!

Ecologically and evolutionarily yours,

The PEEC 2026 Planning Committee

Website: https://www.peec.ca
Instagram: pacific_eec

Dear Students,

We would like to invite you to participate in our UVic Global Community Mentorship and/or Conversation Partners Program as well as some important upcoming information sessions and workshops tailored for international students. Please see below for details!

• Workshops and sessions for International Students: Check out these great sessions and workshops to help you settle into life at UVic! These sessions are tailored for new international students, but are great workshops for any international students wanting a refresher on the topics. We hope you will join.
  • Register for each session using the links in the full International Student Orientation Program schedule.

*IMPORTANT* UPCOMING Sessions this week:

• Monday January 12^th: UVic Library Tour at 2:30pm – register now.
• Monday January 12^th Intro to the Uvic Libraries at 3:00pm – register now.
• Tuesday, January 13^th: Academic Advising Essentials for Undergrads at 3:30pm – register now.
• Wednesday, January 14^th: Thrive in Your Studies at UVic at 3:30pm – register now.

• UVic Global Community: We also invite you to join our Global Community programs to make friends, learn about other cultures, and connect with students at UVic.
  • Be matched with a volunteer in our Mentorship or Conversation Partners Programs for the spring term. Please register by January 15^th.
  • Or join one of our upcoming social events including a bi-weekly social drop in starting January 16^th. Many more events and activity opportunities be shared on the GC Events Calendar throughout your time at UVic.

• @UVicInternational Instagram Account: Follow @UVicInternational for updates about events, programs, workshops and student life throughout your time at UVic.

We hope to see you participate in the Mentorship and/or Conversation Partners program and our workshops and events. We wish you all the best for 2026 Spring term!

Sincerely,

Jayanti, Cecilia and Johnny (on behalf of the International Centre for Students Team)

Jayanti Bachani Foelster, Cecilia Rose and Johnny TaoGlobal Community Advisers, International Centre for Students

Division of Student AffairsUniversity of Victoria

+1 250 721 6361 gcmentor@uvic.ca | @uvicinternational | uvic.ca/ics

Case Study Showdown: Public and Global Health in Action

Date: Sunday, January 25th

Time: 11 AM PST | 2 PM EST

Location: Zoom

Special Offers: Bring a friend discount (HERBUDDY)

Raffle Prize: Chance to win our newly released e-book!

You’ll walk away with: 

• A clear understanding of what an action plan is and why it matters
• A networking opportunity and insights from a global health leader who has successfully designed and delivered initiatives across diverse settings
• Hands-on experience applying concepts through a real-world case study
• A customizable action-plan template and checklist to support your future projects

No prior experience or knowledge of case studies or action planning is required! We’ll be there to guide you every step of the way.

Event registration link: Case Study Showdown: Public and Global Health in Action

Elk Island National Park has begun our student recruitment for summer 2026!

We are hiring for potentially seven different streams this year and will be accepting applications until 4 pm on January 9, 2026. Attached here is the job poster and descriptions of the streams. 

If there are any questions , please contact einpstudents@pc.gc.ca

Seasonal Auxiliary Opportunities
Junior Fish Culture Technicians (STO 12)
Outreach and Junior Research Technicians (STO 12)

The Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC (FFSBC) is an independent, non-profit organization governed by a Board of Directors with a mandate to provide hatchery and related fisheries management services to various clients and partners including the Province of BC, other jurisdictions, First Nations, Crown Corporations, Community Associations and the private sector.

We are seeking enthusiastic and dedicated Junior Fish Culture Technicians to join our Operations Division in various locations which may include Abbotsford, Clearwater, Duncan, Fort Steele, Summerland and/or Vanderhoof. We are also seeking up to two Outreach and Junior Research Technicians at the Nechako White Sturgeon Conservation Centre in Vanderhoof. Seasonal opportunities will typically vary in duration from 2 to 5 months commencing in April 2026 and beyond.

Qualified applicants are welcome to apply on both opportunities. To learn more about these opportunities and to apply, please submit your resumé and respond to the application questions via this site or visit https://www.gofishbc.com/about-us/careers/.

These opportunities are open to both internal and external applicants, and applications will be accepted until January 7, 2026. We thank all candidates for their interest, however, only those selected to continue to the next phase of the recruitment process will be contacted.
External hires for the STO 12 positions will be paid an intern rate at the grid 10 level ($28.4499 hourly) for the period equivalent to six month’s employment (913 hours). Upon reaching 913 hours, employees will move to Grid 12, Step 1 ($30.0769 hourly).

In addition to the hourly salary, these positions qualify for compensation of $0.72 per working hour up to a maximum of $50.40 per biweekly pay period in lieu of sick time and benefits, and vacation pay at the rate of six percent of regular earnings.

For information on the Freshwater Fisheries Society of BC please visit www.gofishbc.com.