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Please see Special Instructions for more details.

Lethbridge Polytechnic is committed to inclusive recruitment practices by providing reasonable access and accommodations to applicants. If you would like to request an accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact [email protected]. Private information received in relation to the request will only be used to facilitate the recruitment process and will be kept confidential and shared only as needed with the selection committee.

Posting Details

Position Information

Job Title Senior Student Research Assistant – Northern Saw-whet Owl Motus Project Appointment Type Casual Student position Position Dates September 2026 to May 31, 2027 Hours per week/FTE Varies About the Position

Lethbridge Polytechnic is seeking a Senior Student Research Assistant to support a collaborative research project examining the migration, breeding ecology, and dispersal of Northern Saw-whet Owls in the Cypress Hills. The project is led by Medicine Hat College in partnership with Lethbridge Polytechnic.

The successful candidate will serve as the lead LP student researcher on the project. During fall 2026 and winter 2027, the student will complete a focused literature review, help refine spring migration monitoring and Motus telemetry protocols, assess regional receiver coverage, and support the development of project data-management workflows. In spring 2027, the student will assist with field preparations and preliminary migration monitoring at the Northern Saw-whet Owl banding station in Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park.

This position is approximately 100 hours in total. Hours will vary over the appointment, generally averaging 3–5 hours per week during the literature review and planning phases, with more concentrated evening and overnight shifts during the spring 2027 field season.

This position provides an opportunity to develop applied research experience in ornithology, migration ecology, wildlife telemetry, scientific communication, and field-project coordination while working with researchers from Lethbridge Polytechnic and Medicine Hat College.

Please note this prospect is open to current Lethbridge Polytechnic students only.

Position Details





This position provides an opportunity to develop applied research experience in ornithology, migration ecology, wildlife telemetry, scientific communication, and field-project coordination while working with researchers from Lethbridge Polytechnic and Medicine Hat College.

Key Responsibilities

- Conduct a focused review of peer-reviewed and grey literature concerning Northern Saw-whet Owl spring migration, breeding ecology, dispersal, and environmental factors affecting capture efficiency.
- Review Motus Wildlife Tracking System transmitter-deployment methods for Northern Saw-whet Owls and other similarly sized birds.
- Map existing Motus receiver infrastructure in and around the Cypress Hills and assess anticipated detection coverage.
- Develop an annotated bibliography and structured literature review summarizing key findings and knowledge gaps.
- Prepare recommendations concerning spring monitoring dates, nightly effort, lure settings, field protocols, nanotag deployment, and data collection.
- Assist with establishing data-entry, quality-assurance, and project data-management procedures.
- Assist the Bander in Charge with site preparation, equipment testing, mist-net operations, owl processing, and preliminary spring migration monitoring.
- Help coordinate the day-to-day work of the project’s second student Research Assistant during shared field activities.
- Support Motus nanotag deployment under approved protocols and the direct supervision of appropriately permitted personnel.
- Maintain accurate field records and contribute to data entry, project reporting, presentations, and other dissemination products as appropriate.

Required Qualifications
- Currently enrolled as an LP student in Ecosystem Management, Renewable Resource Management, Environmental Assessment and Restoration, or another relevant environmental science, biology, or natural resource program.
- Strong scientific writing, information-synthesis,



and literature-search skills.
- Solid attention to detail and the ability to maintain accurate research records.
- Ability to work independently with limited day-to-day supervision.
- Effective communication, collaboration, organisation, and time-management skills.
- Genuine interest in ornithology, raptor biology, migration ecology, wildlife telemetry, or applied conservation research.
- Availability and willingness to travel to Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park during the spring 2027 field season.
- Availability for evening, overnight, and occasional weekend fieldwork.
- Ability to work outdoors in cold and variable spring conditions, travel over uneven terrain, and lift or carry field equipment weighing up to approximately 25 lb.
- Valid driver’s licence.
- Please note this opportunity is open to current Lethbridge Polytechnic students only.

Preferred Qualifications
- Previous bird-banding, ornithological, or wildlife field-research experience.
- Familiarity with the Motus Wildlife Tracking System, radio telemetry, or wildlife movement research.
- Experience using scholarly databases and reference-management software.
- Experience with GIS or spatial-data applications.
- Experience entering, managing, or quality-checking research data.
- Wilderness First Aid, Standard First Aid, or equivalent certification.

Salary $24.00 per hour Working Here

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number C26-00480 Open Date 09/10/2026 Close Date 10/12/2026 Open Until Filled No Special Instructions to Applicants

Lethbridge Polytechnic is committed to inclusive recruitment practices by providing reasonable access and accommodations to applicants. If you would like to request an accommodation at any stage of the recruitment process, please contact [email protected]. Private information received in relation to the request will only be used to facilitate the recruitment process and will be kept confidential and shared only as needed with the selection committee.

Supplemental Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk ().

- Are you currently a Lethbridge Polytechnic student?
- Yes
- No

Documents Needed To Apply

Required Documents

- Cover Letter
- Resume

Optional Documents

- Letter of Recommendation

📌 Senior Student Research Assistant – Northern Saw-whet Owl Motus Project (Lethbridge)
🏢 Lethbridge Polytechnic
📍 Lethbridge