Position Title
Research Associate
Research Project
Large Whale Foraging Ecology & Conservation
Department/Unit
Oceanography
Location
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Employee Group
Grant-Paid (PSAC Local 86001)
Duration of Contract (if applicable)
8.5 months
Employment Type
Full Time
Full-time Equivalency (FTE)
1.0
Salary
$32.64 - $41.33 per hour ($59,403 - $75,221 per annum based on 35 hours per week)
About Dalhousie University
Dalhousie University is Atlantic Canada’s leading research-intensive university and a driver of the region’s intellectual, social and economic development. Located in the heart of Halifax, Nova Scotia, with an Agricultural Campus in Truro/Bible Hill, Dalhousie is a truly national and international university, with more than half of our almost 21,000 students coming from outside of the province. Our 6,000 faculty and staff foster a vibrant, purpose-driven community, that celebrated 200 years of academic excellence in 2018.
Job Summary
The Whale Ecology and Conservation lab is focused on understanding the impacts of environmental variability on large whales and their prey. The research is highly interdisciplinary and combines biological and physical oceanography with ecology and physiology to answer conservation-oriented questions. Reporting to the Principal Investigator, the Research Associate will work on a number of projects within the lab, particularly investigating humpback whale foraging ecology in the Bay of Fundy and modelling the risk of ship strike to bowhead whales in the Arctic. They will lead on project planning, data collection, data analysis and reporting of project results.
Key Responsibilities
- Plan and prepare for project fieldwork. Identify research questions and ensure data collection protocols will meet project objectives. Prepare project reports, manuscripts and conference presentations to share project results widely.
- Collaborate with project team to test and pack research equipment and manage fieldwork logistics. Support students and team members on interdisciplinary research projects and supervise students as required.
- Maintain and prepare whale tagging equipment for deployment. Record data on tag deployment efforts and keep detailed field notes. Work with project team to deploy and retrieve suction cup bio-logger tags on humpback whales.
- Lead analysis of bio-logger kinematic and camera data. Calibrate, clean, and process bio-logger tag data. Annotate video data to identify whale behaviours. Develop models to identify humpback whale foraging and link to prey field characteristics.
- Model the risk of ship strike to bowhead whales under future shipping scenarios. Create species distribution model using historic satellite tag data to predict future whale locations under changing environmental conditions.
- Generate realistic future shipping scenarios using relevant literature and AIS ship location data. Develop models of ship strike risk using generated shipping scenarios and whale locations.
Note
The role requires work in the field. This will require working from a research vessel and a shared house for a period of at least two weeks. While in the field, work will include evenings and weekends. Compensation and scheduling will be in accordance with the collective agreement.
The successful applicant will be eligible for hybrid work (combination of in-person work on campus and remote work from within Nova Scotia) as agreed by all parties based on operational requirements and university guidelines.
Required Qualifications
- PhD in Marine Ecology or related field of study with at least three years’ relevant postdoctoral experience (or equivalent combination of training and experience).
- Demonstrated understanding of whale ecology and the impact of human activities on marine mammals.
- Experience administering large research projects and planning fieldwork, including experience undertaking at-sea fieldwork in rugged conditions.
- Experience analysing data from animal telemetry tags, specifically Argos/GPS satellite tags and tri-axial inertial sensing bio-logger tags (e.g., Customized Animal Tracking Solutions Tags), and AIS ship location data, along with strong mathematical and modelling skills with expertise in R, Python and Matlab, and experience using the software program BORIS for video annotation.
- Demonstrated adaptability, ability to work independently, and prioritize and effectively manage time across multiple projects.
- Excellent teamwork, and verbal and written communication skills with the demonstrated ability to disseminate research results and prior experience supervising undergraduate and graduate research students.
Assets
- A Domestic Vessel Safety qualification and driving license for fieldwork vehicle hire.
Job Competencies
The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate proficiency in Dalhousie’s
core and
leadership competencies, in particular:
- Self-Awareness & Professionalism
- Integrity
- Adaptability
- Knowledge & Thinking Skills
- Communication
Additional Information
Dalhousie University supports a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Our total compensation package includes a voluntary RRSP, health and dental plans, a wellness allowance, an employee and family assistance program and a tuition assistance program.
Application Consideration
Non-probationary bargaining unit employees (PSAC Local 86001) are given priority consideration. All other applications will be considered when there is no qualified candidate from the bargaining unit.
Full-time students currently enrolled at an educational institution are not eligible for regular Grant-Paid positions.
We sincerely appreciate all applications and note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted directly by the hiring department or People and Culture.
Diversity Statement
Dalhousie University commits to achieving inclusive excellence through continually championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The university encourages applications from Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island (especially Mi’kmaq), persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), and members of other racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, persons identifying as members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. In accordance with our Employment Equity Policy, preference will be given in hiring processes to candidates who self-identify as members of one or more of the equity-deserving groups listed above. For more information, including details related to our Employment Equity Policy and Plan and definitions of equity-deserving groups please review our Employment Equity information.
If you require any support for the purpose of accommodation, such as technical aids or alternative arrangements, please let us know of these needs and how we can be of assistance. Dalhousie University is committed to ensuring all candidates have full, fair, and equitable participation in the hiring process. Our complete Accommodation Policy can be viewed here.
