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.
About the Position
The IISD-ELA Chemistry Program provides chemical data on water samples to various research programs. Under the direction of the IISD-ELA Chemist, the Research Assistant will be responsible for assisting with the analysis of chemical constituents in aquatic samples from IISD-ELA. The Research Assistant will work with other technical staff at IISD-ELA to ensure that research and facility operations are conducted and completed efficiently.
Responsibilities
- Assisting with the analysis of samples from IISD-ELA lakes and streams, including
- Preparing and analyzing samples for nutrients, ions, and other aquatic analytes using auto analyzers, spectrophotometers, fluorometers, chromatographs, and various analytical devices.
- Entering data into databases (LIMS, Microsoft Excel, Access, etc.).
- Performing quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) protocols to ensure the quality of IISD-ELA data.
- Communicating and interacting with IISD-ELA staff, collaborators, and the public to provide specific advice and general education about environmental issues.
- Other duties as assigned.
Qualifications
- Obtained or working on a degree from a recognized university in chemistry, microbiology, environmental science, or another related field.
- Experience with and knowledge of methods for the analysis of nutrients, ions, and other aquatic analytes found in fresh waters.
- Experience with analytical instrumentation and software.
- Experience collecting or working with water chemistry data from lakes and streams.
- Experience working in an analytical laboratory using QA/QC protocols, standard operating procedures, and method validation procedures.
- Proficiency with computer software (e.g., Microsoft Access, Excel, R, etc.).
- Knowledge of safety issues and procedures used in an analytical laboratory.
- Ability to communicate well, both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to maintain equipment and instrumentation in good working order and troubleshoot non-conforming performance.
- Ability to organize the laboratory workload.
- Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.
- Must be willing to live in shared accommodations and to share cooking responsibilities with co-workers as required.
- Candidates must possess or be willing to obtain valid certifications for the following prior to the start of their term:
- First Aid/CPR certificate
- Pleasure Craft Operators Card
- IISD-ELA will require the completion of a criminal record check and vulnerable sector verification.
Asset Skills
- Experience with laboratory information management systems.
- Experience supervising assistants, delegating tasks, and ensuring the quality and integrity of data.
- Ability to speak French and/or Ojibwe.
Work Conditions
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 full-time, 3-month (Monday, August 31, 2026 to Friday, November 20, 2026) position.
Compensation: CAD $726.06 to $1,119.75 per week, depending on experience and education.
Employment Type: Existing position (recurring seasonal role)
Application deadline: Monday, August 3, 2026 @ 8:00 AM CST.
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 CV (required; no longer than two pages)
- A cover letter (required; one page)
- IISD Voluntary Self-Identification Questionnaire (optional)
Resumes will be kept on file for one year.
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.
IISD is committed to fostering a more equitable and sustainable world and welcomes candidates who uphold our values of diversity, equity, and inclusion. In addition, to correct the conditions of social injustice and disadvantage in employment around the world, we encourage candidates from historically marginalized groups, including women, Indigenous Peoples, people with disabilities, people from different racial and ethnic backgrounds, and those who identify themselves as 2SLGBTQIA+, to apply for this position. Preference will be given to the equity-deserving groups during the hiring process. We offer reasonable accommodations in our recruitment process and seek applicants' advice on how best to accommodate their needs. Please self-identify and answer our employment equity questionnaire when you apply.
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