Research Associate, Future Harvest Partnership Farmer-Led Research

Department: Faculty of Science 

Job Type: Limited Term

Full-time/Part-time: Full Time (>=1249 hrs/year) 

Campus: Northwest Territories 

Reports to:Principal Investigator, Dr. Andrew Spring                                  

Employee Group: Other 

Application Deadline: Open Until Filled

Requisition ID: 8675 

Wilfrid Laurier University is a leading multi-campus university that excels at educating with purpose. Through its exceptional employees, students, researchers, leaders, and educators, Laurier has built a reputation as a world-class institution known for its rich student experience, academic excellence, and global impact. With a commitment to Indigenization and commitment to equity, diversity, inclusion, Laurier’s thriving community has a place for everyone.

Laurier has more than 21,000 students and 2,100 faculty and staff across campuses in Waterloo and Brantford, as well locations in Kitchener and Milton. The university is committed to providing an inclusive workplace, a flexible work policy and employing a workforce that is reflective of local and national demographics. Laurier's Waterloo, Kitchener, and Brantford campuses are located on the shared traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishnaabe, and Haudenosaunee peoples. This land is part of the Dish with One Spoon Treaty between the Haudenosaunee and Anishnaabe peoples and symbolizes the agreement to share, protect our resources, and not to engage in conflict.  Laurier's Milton campus is located on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit, and part of the Nanfan Treaty of 1701 between the British Crown and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy.

Position Summary

The Future Harvest Partnership is a multi-year collaboration between Wilfrid Laurier University, the Territorial Agrifood Association (TAA) and the Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI). Supported by an interdisciplinary team of leading academics from across North America, and informed by Indigenous Governments and traditional knowledge, the Partnership engages with food producers and local communities of the Northwest Territories to co-create research and generate useful insights for innovation and policy that can inform the development of a climate-resilient local food system.

The Research Associate will support the overall Farmer-Led Research (FLR) network. This position is vital to building a FLR program in the NWT, and for supporting project partners in building the capacity of food producers and community gardeners to conduct their own research and participate in research trials. As NWT food producers already engage in some form of research, the Research Associate will help with planning and logistics of on-farm trials and support the inclusion of food producers in research programs and pilots. This full-time position will report to the PI and be based out of Yellowknife, NWT.

Accountabilities

• Work with project partners to connect with food producers;

• Liaise with the Research Team and respective Task Teams to provide support for their involvement with field tests and on-farm trials;

• Develop farmer-led policy and procedure for long-term sustainability of the project’s initiatives, in collaboration with the project partners;

• Plan and support grower/harvester involvement in research trials and networking events;

• Compose and disseminate routine reports for the Research and Project Management Team meetings; and

• Other research activities, tasks and responsibilities as assigned by the PI.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree preferred, or relevant experience, in Sustainable Agriculture, Agricultural Management, Geography, Environmental Studies, Biology, or other relevant subject area.

• Experience supporting agrifood systems.

Hours of Work:  This is a full-time limited term position for 2 years. The normal hours of work are 8:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday.  Flexibility in hours will be required from time to time, including evening and/or weekend work.  When possible, the manager will adjust the work schedule so that no more than 35 hours are worked in a week.

Compensation

Annual Salary: $75,000

Considerations for new hire step placements include, qualifications and length/depth of required experience, relevant market rates for similar jobs, internal equity, and estimated learning curve in starting the job.

Wilfrid Laurier University endeavors to fill positions with qualified candidates who have a combination of education, experience, skills and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the position while demonstrating Laurier's Employee Success Factors.

Equity, diversity and creating a culture of inclusion are part of Laurier’s core values and central to the Laurier Strategy. Laurier is committed to increasing the diversity of faculty and staff and welcomes applications from candidates who identify as Indigenous, racialized, having disabilities, and from persons of any minority sexual and gender identities. Indigenous candidates who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact the Office of Indigenous Initiatives. Candidates from other equity deserving groups who would like to learn more about equity and inclusive programing at Laurier are welcomed to contact Equity & Accessibility. We have strived to make our application process accessible, however if you require any assistance applying for a position or would like this job posting in an alternative format, please contact Human Resources. Contact information can be found at careers.wlu.ca/content/How-to-apply/

Should you be interested in learning more about this opportunity, please visit www.wlu.ca/careers for additional information and the online application system. All applications must be submitted online. Please note, a resume and cover letter will be required in electronic form.