Research Assistant

Job Summary

The Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University is a small research-intensive campus located in Truro, NS. Offering technical, undergraduate and graduate programs in agriculture, environment and related life and social science disciplines, the Faculty of Agriculture educates future leaders and generates knowledge and innovative solutions for healthy, sustainable societies.Reporting to the Principal Investigator, the Research Assistant will support multidisciplinary livestock research projects involving poultry, dairy cattle, precision livestock farming, computer vision, sensor systems, data collection, and digital twin development. The incumbent will work independently across laboratory, farm, and field environments while ensuring compliance with research, animal care, and university policies.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate and conduct data collection for livestock research projects onsite and at partner facilities. Collect behavioural, physiological, environmental, audio, video, and sensor data. Maintain accurate experimental records and metadata.
• Install, operate, troubleshoot, and maintain cameras, microphones, environmental sensors, thermal imaging equipment, and computing systems. Monitor equipment performance and resolve routine technical issues.
• Ensure compliance with approved animal care protocols. Liaise with farm staff, collaborators, and research personnel. Coordinate equipment deployment in research facilities.
• Organize and pre-process research datasets. Perform data quality checks and validation. Assist with image, video, audio, and sensor data management. Manage data storage, backups, and file organization.
• Assist graduate students and visiting researchers with research and data collection procedures. Provide technical guidance on equipment and data collection methods. Coordinate scheduling of research activities and facility access.
• Provide knowledge mobilization support. Assist with preparation of conference presentations, posters, reports, and manuscripts. Maintain project documentation and inventories. Generate summary reports and documentation for research projects.

Note

This position requires work at the Agricultural Campus, including livestock research facilities and laboratories. The incumbent will handle poultry and cattle as part of approved research activities and will be exposed to dust, noise, odours, and other environmental conditions associated with livestock barns, animal research facilities, and field environments on a daily basis. Occasional local travel within the Truro area may be required in support of research activities.

Due to operational requirements, the successful applicant is required to work in-person on campus.

Required Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in Animal Science, Agriculture, Agricultural Technology, Biology, Computer Science, Engineering, or a related discipline plus approximately one to two years’ relevant experience in research, agricultural operations, animal care, data collection, laboratory support, or technical fieldwork.
• Experience installing, and providing routine maintenance and troubleshooting for research equipment, sensors, cameras, audio recorders, and computing systems.
• Demonstrated organizational and analytical skills as well as attention to detail with the proven ability to work simultaneously on multiple projects with competing priorities.
• Strong proven communication (verbal and written) skills as well as the demonstrated ability to work both as part of a team and independently.
• Previous experience with Microsoft Office (particularly Word, Excel and Outlook) as well as data management and analytics software and tools.
• The ability to stand, walk, bend, and move within livestock research facilities, laboratories, and field environments, including the handling of cattle and poultry on a daily basis, as well as lifting and carrying research equipment weighing up to 10 kg on a weekly basis.

Assets

Job Competencies

The successful candidate is expected to demonstrate proficiency in Dalhousie’s core competencies in particular:

- Self-Awareness & Professionalism
- Integrity
- Adaptability
- Knowledge & Thinking Skills
- Communication

Additional Information

Dalhousie University supports a healthy and balanced lifestyle. Our total compensation package includes a defined benefit pension plan, health and dental plans, an employee and family assistance program and a tuition assistance program.

Application Consideration

Non-probationary bargaining unit employees (NSGEU local 77) are given priority consideration. All other applications will be considered when there is no qualified candidate from the bargaining unit.

We sincerely appreciate all applications and note that only candidates selected for an interview will be contacted directly by the hiring department or People and Culture.

Diversity Statement

Dalhousie University commits to achieving inclusive excellence through continually championing equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility. The university encourages applications from Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island (especially Mi’kmaq), persons of Black/African descent (especially African Nova Scotians), and members of other racialized groups, persons with disabilities, women, persons identifying as members of 2SLGBTQIA+ communities, and all candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community. In accordance with our Employment Equity Policy, preference will be given in hiring processes to candidates who self-identify as members of one or more of the equity-deserving groups listed above.