Student Research Assistant (Intern) – Aquaculture

Job title: Student Research Assistant (Intern) – Aquaculture

Reports to: Aquaculture Team Leads

Job location: 1250 Grand Lake Rd, Sydney, NS, B1M 1A2

Wage: Depending on experience ($18-21/hour)

Hours: 35 hours per week (15-week internship) 

Start Date: Expected May 20, 2025 

This position is designated and limited to applicants from the following groups:   

• Indigenous People (First Nations, Métis, or Inuit) 

• Black, African Canadian, or people of African Descent 

Employment Hiring 

Clean is committed to Employment Equity and our goal is to be a diverse workforce that is representative at all job levels. The Clean Leadership Program welcomes applications from qualified self-identifying First Nations, Métis and Inuit people, Racialized Youth, Persons with Disabilities, Newcomers, and 2SLGBTQIA+ applicants. If you are a member of one of the equity groups, you are encouraged to self-identify on our registration form. 

About the Clean Leadership Summer Internship Program 

The Clean Leadership Summer Internship program helps grow the clean economy by matching interns (age 15-30) with employers for 9- and 15-week summer work placements. Participating interns will receive paid hands-on experience, mentorship opportunities, take part in a professional development conference and training, while supporting local environmental projects.  

Program Requirements 

• Must be a Canadian citizen, Permanent Resident, person who has been granted refugee status in Canada or legally entitled to work in Canada;  

• Must be between the ages of 15 and 30 years old (inclusive) at the start of internship; 

• From and/or will be residing in Nova Scotia for the duration of the internship; 

• Must not be an immediate family member of host employer; 

About the host employer 

The Verschuren Centre for Sustainability in Energy and the Environment is an independent clean technology development and deployment facility. We offer client tailored services to support companies in developing sustainable solutions that meet industry needs. The Centre was established to facilitate a transition to a green and circular economy through supporting innovative clean technology commercialization. The Centre has an established team of expertise in key areas to assist companies advance IP and accelerate uptake in manufacturing and primary production industries. Areas of specialty include industrial and agriculture bioprocessing, carbon and polymer materials, thermal energy transitioning & storage and climate mitigation in aquaculture. Through the Centre’s collaborative approach and cutting-edge pilot scale test facilities clients can develop their IP, while connecting with partners, markets and business development support to reach their market. 

Summary of position    

The Verschuren Centre (VC) Inc. is an independent not-for-profit clean technology development and deployment facility. The Centre has become one of Canada’s leading centres for clean technology development and deployment, providing contracted services to industry in some of the hottest areas of research and development, including biomanufacturing, bio-agriculture, bio-marine processing, smart plastics, carbon transformation, energy net-zero modelling, aquaculture, and sustainable resource use. At the Verschuren Centre, we are passionate about supporting a low carbon, circular economy where Canada is a leader in net-zero smart manufacturing and clean energy. 

About the Project: 

Over the past decade, the Verschuren Centre with CBU research team led by Dr. Rod Beresford have worked toward developing mitigation strategies to limit the impact of MSX on Bras d’Or Lake oysters. Our goal is to support the Bras d’Or Lake oyster lease holders and local communities in re-establishing once lucrative sustainable cooperative oyster industry for generations to come. 

The VC constructed a land-based oyster hatchery and multiple floating nurseries to re-develop Bras d’Or Lake oyster industry. A land-based hatchery at the Verschuren Centre prepares brood stock and provides healthy larvae, followed by the facility decontamination of equipment and water will prevent unnecessary spread of MSX from lease to lease. The availability of floating nurseries provided to lease holders with technical support will allow for oysters reaching a suitable size at which they can be transferred into suspended oyster culture systems. 

Duties and Responsibilities  

• Develop an Optimal Technique for water sampling 

• Testing for the presence of the parasite 

• Determining the time of when H.Nelsoni is in the water column under various environmental conditions (temperature and salinity) 

• Water Sampling; sediment and invertebrate sampling 

• Lab analysis using polymerase chain reaction to detect the presence of H. Nelsoni at the molecular level 

Requirements/Qualifications 

• Have an aptitude for safe work practices and the ability to multi-task in a busy work environment; 

• Be able to work productively as part of a team while responding to feedback; 

• Demonstrated interest in future employment in the environmental or clean sector is considered an asset; 

• Currently enrolled in B.Sc. in chemistry/biology/aquaculture or relevant science stream. 

• Lab Experience 

• Ability to work with various analytical instruments 

• Demonstrate ability to work independently, responsibly, manage time efficiently and ability to multitask. 

• Good communication skills and proficiency in presenting scientific results (written and orally). 

• Working proficiency with Microsoft Office, statistical, data processing software(s). 

• Previous research experience is an asset 

• Has experience working/studying in a field setting 

• Enjoys field work 

Working Conditions
All lab safety protocols implemented by the Verschuren Centre are to be followed throughout the duration of this placement. 

Physical Requirements
May require some light lifting of samples collection