Student Research Assistant

at  Northwestern Polytechnic

THE DEPARTMENT

National Bee Diagnostic Centre - Technology Access Centre (NBDC-TAC) is a research initiative of the School of Applied Research at Northwestern Polytechnic, which provides diagnostic services for researchers, beekeepers, and agencies across Canada with the aim to contribute towards a healthy, sustainable and profitable apiculture in Canada. NBDC-TAC is seeking to hire a summer student to work at our state-of-the-art laboratory in Beaverlodge, Alberta to assist with honeybee research.

Job Requirements

• We are seeking a candidate that has a minimum of a first-year biology course and some laboratory experience.
• A post-secondary student that is currently enrolled in a science program at NWP
• Basic computer skills are desirable: i.e. database programs and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong organizational and multi-tasking skills.
• Ability to perform repetitive tasks while maintaining a high standard quality.
• Knowledge of sterile techniques.
• Capable of following directions and protocols with precision and rigour.
• Cooperate effectively in a team setting but also independently with minimum supervision.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Highly motivated, possess excellent time-management skills, and MUST be free from known honeybee allergies

• You will be part of a research team for a project focused on bee health in the Alberta Peace Region and will learn standard laboratory practices and work with a team to prepare insect specimens for analysis, process bee specimens and perform diagnostic tests for pathogens and diseases
• Sample analysis will require common techniques used in microscopy, microbiology, and molecular biology.
• Data entry and data analysis techniques using digital software (e.g. Excel, R).
• Once trained, you will also have opportunities to teach laboratory methods to student interns.
• Participation in workshops for beekeepers and the broader community as part of our outreach initiatives.
• You will perform a series of basic duties in the lab and must be able to follow standard operational procedures, be meticulous and well organized.
• Labeling, storing and preparing samples for analysis, including entering information into the database.
• Other research duties including assembling sampling kits, preparing outreach material (posters and presentations) and online literature searches summarizing information on honeybee biology, pathogens and diagnostics.

Job Requirements

• We are seeking a candidate that has a minimum of a first-year biology course and some laboratory experience.
• A post-secondary student that is currently enrolled in a science program at NWP
• Basic computer skills are desirable: i.e. database programs and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong organizational and multi-tasking skills.
• Ability to perform repetitive tasks while maintaining a high standard quality.
• Knowledge of sterile techniques.
• Capable of following directions and protocols with precision and rigour.
• Cooperate effectively in a team setting but also independently with minimum supervision.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Highly motivated, possess excellent time-management skills, and MUST be free from known honeybee allergies.