Urban and Agricultural Bat Ecology Research Technician at University of British Columbia

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada -

Full Time

Start Date

Immediate

Expiry Date

19 Dec, 25

Salary

31.92

Posted On

20 Sep, 25

Experience

2 year(s) or above

Remote Job

Yes

Telecommute

Yes

Sponsor Visa

Skills

Bat Ultrasonic Recording, Data Analysis, Field Data Collection, Data Visualization, Mapping, Bat Mist-Netting, Bat Trapping, GIS Software, R Scripting, Scientific Reporting, Team Collaboration, Attention to Detail, Independent Work, Animal Care Guidelines, Landscape Structure Analysis, Technical Support

Industry

Higher Education

Description

Staff - Union Job Category CUPE 116 Job Profile CUPE 116 Hourly - Research Assistant /Technician 3 Job Title Urban and Agricultural Bat Ecology Research Technician Department Research | Matthew Mitchell | Department of Forest Resources Management Compensation Range $29.27 - $31.92 CAD Hourly Posting End Date September 27, 2025 Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date. Job End Date January 20, 2026 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 This position will provide complex technical scientific support to the “Impacts of Urban and Agricultural Land Use on Bats in Metro Vancouver” project funded by Environment and Climate Change Canada. The research assistant will assist Dr. Matthew Mitchell and is responsible for performing a range of tasks in support of identifying urban and agricultural landscape features that influence bat activity in Metro Vancouver and the Lower Fraser Valley. The Research Assistant will assist in the acquisition, processing, and analysis of bat ultrasonic call data; and will prepare data visualization and mapping outputs, as well as reports and draft publications. Additionally, this position will contribute bat expertise to the Perennial Plant Restoration for Carbon Sequestration in Canadian Agricultural Landscapes (PERCS) project and the assessment of bat activity and co-benefits in agricultural areas. This will require designing field collection procedures, deployment of ultrasonic sound recorders, leading bat trapping activities, and training undergraduate students in these field tasks. This position involves the management and quality control of acoustic datasets, the organization and maintenance of this data, and close collaboration with faculty, staff, and students to support research initiatives and provide technical expertise. Organizational Status Reports to Matthew Mitchell Work Performed Assists with the acquisition, processing, and analysis of bat ultrasonic recording data in combination with spatial datasets. Conducts routine landscape structure analysis and interpretation of spatial data, including spatial analysis, data visualization, and mapping. Organizes and maintains ultrasonic data inventories, distributing resources as needed to ensure efficient access to data for team internal and external partners. Prepares and maintains documentation for field data collection methods, data processing methods, and metadata to support consistent and reproducible research. Leads ultrasonic recorder deployment in the field and bat mist-netting activities, including the supervision of 1-2 undergraduate assistants. Collaborates with faculty, staff, and students and provides technical assistance on bat fieldwork and data analysis as needed. Performs other related duties as required in keeping with the qualifications and responsibilities of the position. Consequence of Error/Judgement Makes decisions and recommendations on multiple aspects of the research work. Errors in performance of the above-related duties could have moderate impacts on the effectiveness, logistics, and collaboration of the research project. Inappropriate judgement could result in fundamental flaws in research results with consequences for project success. Supervision Received Reports directly to Dr. Matthew Mitchell. Will also work in collaboration with faculty involved in the PERCS project. Supervision Given Will supervise one or two undergraduate students in the field. Will explain analyses and results to undergraduate and graduate students as well as faculty. Minimum Qualifications Completion of a relevant technical program or a university degree in a relevant discipline and a minimum three years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. - Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own - Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion Preferred Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Forestry, Agriculture, Environmental Science, Geography, or a related field. Comprehensive experience with bat ultrasonic recording data and analysis; extensive bat mist-netting experience. Experience with bat trapping and handling methods, including techniques that meet Animal Care guidelines and minimize any transmission of White Nose Syndrome between bats Familiarity with bat acoustic software (e.g., Kaleidoscope Pro, Sonobat) and GIS software (e.g., QGIS) Experience with R scripting for bat ultrasonic data analysis and data visualization. Demonstrated ability to write scientific reports and peer-reviewed papers. Must demonstrate excellent accuracy and attention to detail. Demonstrated ability to work independently and in a team environment. The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities globally. A large part of what makes us unique is the community of engaged students, faculty, and staff who are collectively committed to shaping a better world. Recognized as a leading employer in British Columbia and Canada, UBC supports inspired students, faculty and staff on their journey of discovery, and challenges them to realize their greatest potential. New ideas, changing infrastructure, innovative technology, and fresh approaches are opening up possibilities for the future of research, teaching, and work. Are you ready to embrace the future together? Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, and/or Indigenous person. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. If you have any accommodation or accessibility needs during the job application process, please contact the Centre for Workplace Accessibility at workplace.accessibility@ubc.ca.

Responsibilities

The technician will provide technical support for a research project on the impacts of urban and agricultural land use on bats. Responsibilities include data acquisition, processing, analysis, and fieldwork related to bat activity in Metro Vancouver.