Kluane Red Squirrel Field Assistants

~ At the heart of Saskatoon, on Treaty 6 territory and the homeland of the Métis, is the University of Saskatchewan, one of Canada’s top research universities. Driven by prairie spirit, we make life better for the people of Saskatchewan and the world. ~

The Kluane Red Squirrel Project is an interdisciplinary, large-scale field experiment designed to test the importance of food abundance to the ecology and evolution of red squirrels. The project is based in the southwest Yukon of Canada, where red squirrels have been studied extensively since 1987.

In this part of their range, the seed of white spruce cones (Picea glauca) is a critical food resource for red squirrels. White spruce is a masting species, which means that these trees produce extremely high numbers of cones every 2-6 years with few cones produced in the intervening years. Individual red squirrels, therefore, are likely to experience both very high and very low levels of food within their lifetime. Research performed for almost 30 years has indicated that yearly variation in the abundance of spruce cones has important ecological and evolutionary consequences.

Position Overview

We are looking for field technicians to assist with fieldwork for three different time periods:

• 1 March-15-May 
• 1 May-15 August
• 1 September - 15 October

The positions are part of a long-term study of red squirrel ecology, evolutionary biology and physiology. As a member of the study, technicians will be involved with monitoring the reproduction and survival of individual squirrels.

Responsibilities

• Fieldwork will involve live-trapping and handling of squirrels, radio-telemetry, behavioural observation, and locating young in their nests.
• Some positions will also require additional handling for physiological assays (e.g., blood sampling).
• This is an excellent opportunity to gain experience working with a collaborative research team on a long-term study of a wild mammal.
• All fieldwork is carried against the beautiful backdrop of southwestern Yukon, Canada.
• We will be staying at a rustic field station two hours from Whitehorse, and ~30 min to the nearest town (Haines Junction).
• All food and accommodation are provided and technicians are provided with transportation (within reason) to and from the field site either through airfare or vehicles.

Qualifications

• Training will be provided and no experience is necessary.
• Candidates should have an interest in a number of the following (the more the better!): ecology, evolutionary biology, wildlife, field biology, and animal behaviour.
• The field camp is remote and low tech (no showers, cell phone service, or internet), so successful applicants must enjoy the outdoors and be able to remain a positive and responsible team member under relatively isolated and demanding conditions.
• Candidates must be in good physical condition and have an enthusiasm for learning.
• We work on ‘squirrel time’, which often involves long work days; as such, applicants must have a strong work ethic.
• The atmosphere at squirrel camp is friendly and inclusive and all nationalities are welcome.

To Apply

Please click "Apply" below to upload a CV with a cover letter and contact details for three references (with e-mail addresses) by January 5 2018. Please also indicate the time period(s) you are interested in.