Research Assistant Tech 4

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Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

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Job Description

At UBC we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research innovation and learning for all faculty staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary
The employee will independently design develop and apply ecological and carbon models for the Mother Tree Project & Program (MTP&P) within UBCs Faculty of Forestry. Working under the direction of Dr. Suzanne Simard the employee will lead complex data analyses develop predictive models produce peer-reviewed manuscript documents and collaborate with First Nations communities to support carbon monitoring and forest stewardship programs. This position also provides entry-level guidance on ecological modelling methodology to junior team members.

Organizational Status
The position is based in the Mother Tree Project & Program at UBCs Faculty of Forestry and reports directly to Dr. Suzanne Simard Professor of Forest Ecology. The employee works closely with Jean Roach and Gabriela Barragan and liaises with First Nations partners external collaborators and other university research teams. The employee works with considerable independence and provides analytical consultation to internal team members and junior staff.

Work Performed

• Design and implement complex analysis plans for novel ecological and carbon datasets.

• Develop and apply predictive carbon models to support forest stewardship decisions by First Nations communities.

• Lead data gathering cleaning and quality control processes resolving discrepancies and applying advanced techniques to ensure analytical integrity.

• Produce manuscript-ready documents for submission to peer-reviewed journals including complex statistical analyses and interpretation of results.

• Develop novel protocols and analysis procedures for ecological modelling including entry-level modelling workflows suitable for training junior researchers.

• Make forestry management and stewardship recommendations based on model outputs in collaboration with First Nations communities and project leadership.

• Consult with internal team members to provide analysis recommendations and support interpretation of results.

• Write reports and contribute to ethics and grant applications as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
The employee exercises considerable judgement in determining analytical approaches and modelling methods. Work is expected to meet the rigour required for peer-reviewed publication and to inform management and policy recommendations. Errors in analysis or model design could misguide forest stewardship decisions or invalidate scientific findings. Work will be reviewed by Suzanne Simard and Jean Roach.

Supervision Received
The employee works under minimum supervision from Dr. Suzanne Simard receiving direction primarily on unusual problems or matters that depart from established procedures. Jean Roach and Gabriela Barragan provide day-to-day operational support and manuscript review.

Supervision Given
The employee may provide guidance and instruction to junior researchers or technical staff on ecological modelling methods and standard analytical procedures including entry-level modelling workflows.

Minimum Qualifications
Completion of a university degree in a relevant discipline (such as Ecology Forestry Environmental Science or Geography) and a minimum of four years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. A graduate degree may be required.

- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives including perspectives in conflict with ones own

- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing ones own awareness knowledge and skills related to equity diversity and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

Graduate degree in Ecology Forestry Environmental Science or a related discipline. Demonstrated experience in ecological or carbon modelling including proficiency in R or Python. Familiarity with forest carbon accounting regeneration datasets and Indigenous land stewardship contexts. Experience producing peer-reviewed scientific manuscripts. Knowledge of entry-level modelling techniques suitable for training or mentoring junior staff is an asset.