Co-op/Summer Employment – CIOOS Atlantic – Research Assistant
- Location: Work From Home
- Deadline: May 11, 2020
Research Assistant: Systems with Traditional Ecological Knowledge
About Us:
The Canadian Integrated Ocean Observing System (CIOOS) is an open access, online platform for
sharing high quality information about the state of our oceans. This national initiative
coordinates ocean observing activities and facilitates knowledge sharing in ocean sciences for the
benefit of all Canadians (cioos.ca). CIOOS Atlantic (cioosatlantic.ca) is one of three regional
associations within CIOOS and provides a data management approach for oceanographic data from the
Atlantic Seaboard.
Job Summary
A critical mandate for CIOOS is meaningful and appropriate engagement and partnership with
Indigenous (First Nations, Inuit, Innu, and Métis) governments, organizations, and communities to
explore the potential for sharing ocean data when and where appropriate, ensuring Indigenous
sovereignty and Indigenous rights are recognized. CIOOS Atlantic is seeking a highly motivated and
experienced individual to conduct a literature review examining inclusion of Traditional Ecological
Knowledge in western systems. CIOOS Atlantic is legally a project of Dalhousie University, and
therefore this role is considered a grant-paid position with Dalhousie University.
Qualifications and Skills:
• Currently enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program
• Ability to conduct a literature review and summarize findings
• Experience reading and synthesizing conclusions from peer-reviewed literature
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Cross-cultural sensitivity and the ability to work with individuals from diverse backgrounds
• Detail-oriented, well-organized and with the ability to work independently
Key Responsibilities:
• Conduct a literature review (including grey literature) about how TEK has been successfully
and respectfully made findable and/or accessible via online platforms.
• Summarize cases where TEK has been collected, digitized and the meta(data) made open
• Discuss any benefits, risks or concerns related to their use
• Draw conclusions about the topic and identify gaps and/or potential challenges
• Identify individuals within CIOOS Atlantic partners whose research or interests are relevant
to TEK
• Engage with Atlantic Canadian ocean initiatives to determine their interest in / requirements
for Indigenous knowledge
Other Requirements:
Given current implementation of social distancing measures, the successful applicant must have the
ability to work from home. Reliable access to a computer, phone, and internet are required and must be provided by the successful applicant.
Hours: 35 hours/week for 8 weeks (flexibility possible, e.g. 16 weeks at 50% FTE) Wages: $23.55 / hour
Benefits: 4% vacation pay Start Date: as soon as possible
In keeping with the Principles of Dalhousie’s Employment Equity Policy and the nature of this position, preference will be given to candidates who self-identify as Indigenous.
Diversity Statement: Dalhousie University is committed to fostering a collegial culture grounded in
diversity and inclusiveness. The university encourages applications from Indigenous persons,
persons with disability, racially visible persons, women, persons of a minority sexual orientation
and/or gender identity, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community.
For more information, please visit www.dal.ca/hiringfordiversity.