EWC is seeking a highly motivated Research Associate to support a summer research initiative focused on wildlife coexistence, land use, and tourism in Western Canada.
This role will contribute to a pilot project that combines:
- Wildlife monitoring (trail camera programs)
- Coexistence strategy development
- Economic analysis of tourism and land-use models
The project will inform the development of a scalable wildlife coexistence framework that can support rural communities in balancing ecological integrity with economic opportunity.
This is an ideal opportunity for a student or recent graduate interested in applied conservation research, environmental planning, or the intersection of ecology and economics.
Key Roles & Responsibilities
Research & Literature Review
- Conduct a literature review of existing trail camera programs and reports
- Identify and summarize best practices in wildlife monitoring and reporting
- Compile relevant case studies to inform EWC’s program development
Coexistence Strategy & Toolkit Development
- Support the development of a baseline wildlife coexistence strategy/toolkit
- Help translate trail camera data into practical, community-oriented insights
- Contribute to templates and materials that can be used in future reporting and program expansion
Economic & Land-Use Analysis
- Research and summarize economic models related to tourism and land use, including wildlife-based tourism
- Contribute to a feasibility study examining the economic impacts of different land-use and tourism approaches in a post-industrial landscape
- Assist in synthesizing ecological and economic findings into clear, accessible outputs
Reporting & Communication
- Prepare summary reports, briefing notes, and supporting materials
- Assist in organizing research findings into structured formats (tables, visuals, summaries)
- Support internal presentations and iterative project development
Education, Knowledge & Experience Requirements
Required
- Must be between 15 and 30 years of age at the start of employment (Canada Summer Jobs requirement)
- Legally entitled to work in Canada
- Strong research, writing, and analytical skills
- Ability to work independently and manage time effectively
- Interest in wildlife conservation, environmental studies, or related fields
Preferred (Assets)
- Background in environmental science, ecology, geography, economics, or public policy
- Experience conducting academic or applied research
- Familiarity with wildlife conservation issues in Western Canada
- Experience with GIS, mapping tools, or data visualization (asset, not required)
Ideal Candidate
- Curious and self-driven
- Comfortable working with open-ended research questions
- Interested in the intersection of conservation, communities, and economics
- Able to synthesize complex information into clear, usable insights
How to Apply
Please send your cover letter and your resume, as a single PDF or MS word file attachment, to mspizzirri@exposedwc.org, by May 20th, 2026 with ‘Research Associate Application’ in the subject line.
This position will be funded by , a government youth employment initiative, which requires candidates to be:
- between 15 and 30 years of age at the beginning of the employment period
- a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or person on whom refugee protection has been conferred under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act; and
- legally entitled to work in Canada in accordance with relevant provincial legislation and regulations
Please indicate in your application if you meet these criteria.
We thank all applicants, but only those selected for interviews will be contacted.
Exposed Wildlife Conservancy welcomes applications from all interested and qualified candidates. We are committed to fostering and maintaining a workplace culture that is diverse, inclusive, and intolerant of discrimination or harassment.
Pay: $25.00 per hour
Application question(s):
- As per Canada Summer Jobs applicants must be between 15 and 30 years of age at the beginning of the employment period.
Work Location: Remote
