Environmental Contaminants Postdoctoral Fellow in Canada

Environmental Contaminants Postdoctoral Fellow- WCS Canada is seeking highly qualified candidates for a postdoctoral fellowship to support the Ontario Northern Boreal Program. The position will serve as an expert on environmental contaminants, including mercury and arsenic, in fish that are part of subsistence fisheries.

Position Title: Environmental Contaminants Postdoctoral Fellow

Program: Ontario Northern Boreal

Designation: Full-time, 2-year anticipated position

Research Area: Environmental Contaminants

Location: Thunder Bay, ON (preferred, but flexible)

Salary: $65,000.00/year

Position Start Date: September 2023 (preferred, but flexible)

Reports to: Dr. Constance O’Connor

Supervises: N/A

Deadline for Application: April 14, 2023

Position Summary:

Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) Canada is seeking highly qualified candidates for a postdoctoral fellowship to support the Ontario Northern Boreal Program. The position will serve as an expert on environmental contaminants, including mercury and arsenic, in fish that are part of subsistence fisheries. The successful candidate will join the Learning from Lake Sturgeon project team and work closely with Dr. Constance O’Connor and other partners to lead the environmental contaminant aspects of the program. The successful candidate will also be encouraged to develop and implement new research ideas related to environmental contaminants that fit within the Learning from Lake Sturgeon program and support the development of WCS Canada’s emerging One Health and watersheds program.

The position will include a partnership funding opportunity for a MITACS postdoctoral fellowship. The selected candidate will co-develop a MITACS postdoctoral fellowship application alongside WCS Canada researchers and established program partners for submission in summer 2023, for an anticipated start date in fall 2023. WCS Canada will provide top-up funding to a salary of $65,000/year, including health benefits.

Eligibility/Qualification:

To be eligible for this position, the successful candidate must have a Ph.D. in biology, ecology, chemistry, ecotoxicology, or a related field. The candidate should have a strong background in environmental contaminants, preferably with knowledge of contaminants in fish that are part of subsistence fisheries. The candidate should also have strong skills in statistical analyses, data management, and writing and other communications for a variety of audiences. The position is highly collaborative, and the successful candidate must have experience working and communicating successfully with a variety of partners. The successful candidate should also have a strong record of scholarly publications.

Position Objectives:

This position supports the WCS Canada Ontario Northern Boreal Program with the objectives:

1. Lead the environmental contaminant aspects of the Learning from Lake Sturgeon program in collaboration with academic, government, and First Nations partners; and
2. Develop and implement new collaborative environmental contaminants research that fits within the broader Ontario Northern Boreal program goals and WCS Canada strategic goals.

Primary Responsibilities:

1. Serve as the Ontario Northern Boreal program team expert on environmental contaminants, including mercury and arsenic
2. Lead the ongoing environmental contaminant aspects of the Learning from Lake Sturgeon program in collaboration with existing partners
3. Develop and lead research on environmental contaminants that fit within the Learning from Lake Sturgeon program and broader Ontario Northern Boreal program
4. Build and maintain long-term relationships with First Nations and academic collaborators, government scientists, and other project partners
5. Support community and youth engagement within research programs
6. Manage data following established partnership agreements in a way that is consistent with OCAP principles
7. Perform statistical analyses and create data summaries for different audiences
8. Write reports and publications for different audiences including publications in peer-reviewed journals
9. Support WCS Canada policy comments and scientific advice on environmental contaminants, including supporting the development and direction of WCS Canada’s One Health and watersheds program in a northern context

How to Apply:

Please submit your CV with cover letter explaining your interest in this position and relevant skills and experience. For questions regarding the position, please contact Dr. Constance O’Connor (coconnor@

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