Research Associate

Hours per Week: 35

Salary Grade: R2

Please note, this is a 1-year grant-funded contract position.

With an international reputation for success, Western ranks as one of Canada's top research-intensive universities. Our research excellence expands knowledge and drives discovery with real-world application. Western also provides an exceptional employment experience, offering competitive salaries, a wide range of employment opportunities and one of Canada's most beautiful campuses.

The mission of the Department of Biology is to “foster scientific discovery through research and advancement of the understanding, critical evaluation, and application of biological concepts”.

The Nootropic Foods Innovation, Brain Health and Lipid Bioinformatics Research Program is dedicated to improving agriculture productivity under control environment and field based production systems, food sustainability, nutrient security, nootropic/functional and plant based functional foods innovation or production, sensory perception, health benefit validation using animal or cell models of human health and diseases (Brain and Cancer), as well as support the community and industry to grow the health food sector of the province.

The Research Associate will apply their expertise and knowledge to a research project under the direction of a Principal Investigator and will carry out and oversee original and independent research to assist the PI in achieving their research outcomes in the area of developing alternative sustainable animal feed systems for small ruminants using Agrivoltaics under temperate and tropical climates. The Research Associate will support and operationalize new and innovative research using alternative crop management systems in association with photovoltaics to develop high quality ruminant feed systems in both temperate and tropical climates, participate in the development of research and project plans, and design, build and run experiments. The position will play a role in training staff, students and/or post-doctoral fellows, and in resolving issues that arise in the research environment. The role will plan, implement and coordinate data collection, perform data analysis, evaluate and interpret experimental results, develop models or correlations, and prepare reports and other written material for presentations and/or submissions to various stakeholders as required. The Research Associate will conduct research at both the Environmental Science Western Field Station in London, Ontario, Canada, and the College of Science and Education Farm in Portland, Jamaica.

Education:

• Master’s degree in biology, plant science, agricultural science, or relevant discipline, with a strong background in field crop production, forage production systems or management
• PhD preferred

Experience:

• 2 years of research experience with animal feed production and analysis and/or forage crop management
• Research experience using alternative management techniques to produce field crops or animal feed and designing and executing field crop experiments and field equipment operations
• Experience with agroeconomics (agriculture economics) including conducting economic analysis and social assessment of climate resilient cropping or feed system
• A strong publication record with first authored publications in respected journals is preferred

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Strong background in plant and/or agricultural science focusing on field crop production
• In depth understanding and expertise in sustainable feed or crop production systems under different climate scenarios or conditions
• Familiarity with regulations and guidelines governing research in an academic environment and with best practices for reviewing and writing grant proposals
• In depth knowledge with methods for research design, methodology, implementation, and data analysis
• Familiarity with techniques for updating, managing and extracting data from a research database
• Advanced skills in software and applications used to produce and analyze research outcomes including multivariate biostatistics and associated analytical software (such as XLStat, R, Origin Pro, Math Lab, SPSS, Python, etc.) to analyze field and laboratory data, and with Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, SharePoint)
• Ability to collaborate across internal and external boundaries to meet common objectives, improve outcomes and support work beyond one's own unit
• Communication skills to describe technical concepts effectively to both novice and sophisticated users
• Communication skills with an ability to complete detailed analytics and reports
• Ability to work in a manner that models best practices in confidentiality standards
• Ability to provide solutions and ideas for improvement by using imaginative approaches where constructive thinking and innovation are required
• Detail-oriented with an ability to function and process information with high levels of accuracy
• Ability to work within a flexible schedule to accommodate the research group’s events and activities
• Ability to provide guidance, support and feedback in a way that is positively received
• Results-oriented with the ability to motivate and coach students to meet high performance standards, while working effectively as a member of the research team
• Ability to investigate defined issues, solicit input, and suggest remedies and alternative approaches that meet the needs of the situation
• Proven ability and natural inclination to develop relationships by interacting with people in a professional, respectful and diplomatic manner
• Ability to interpret and identify key results from research and to succinctly summarize research findings
• Ability to work independently and effectively as a member of the team to achieve department goals
• Ability to adhere to legislated safety requirements and Western safety policies
• Demonstrated working knowledge of relevant scientific/research principles
• Demonstrated ability to research/investigate issues and resolve problems
• Familiarity with University research policies and procedures preferred
• Must have own transportation with ability to travel between Western University and the Environmental Science Western Field Station in London, Ontario; Valid Class G driver’s license required
• Willingness and ability to travel (Portland, Jamaica); must have a valid passport in respect of all visa requirements
  

Please note, successful applicants will be required to produce a current, clean driving abstract prior to commencing employment.

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals. Western is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from women, members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

Accommodations are available for applicants with disabilities throughout the recruitment process. If you require accommodations for interviews or other meetings, please contact Human Resources or phone 519-661-2194.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those chosen for an interview will be contacted.