Water Quality Monitoring - Research Assistant Technician I

University of Guelph•Guelph, ON

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The CERC in Waterborne Pathogens: Surveillance, Prediction and Mitigation research program at the University of program is seeking a Research Assistant/Technician to lead the installation, maintenance, and operation of both in-water and non-contract water sensors. The technician will work under the direct supervision of Professor David McCarthy, following established protocols to deploy and maintain sensor equipment at creek and stormwater monitoring sites. Depending on the candidate, the work may also involve the fabrication (3D-printing and assembly) and/or optimization of low-cost open-source sensors. Secondary activities include the collection and analysis of water samples for various physical and basic chemical parameters when needed. This position contributes directly to field-based water quality monitoring research, including ongoing stormwater monitoring projects in urban and agricultural areas.

Requirements

Completion of at least 1 year of post-secondary education in a relevant field (e.g., environmental science, biology, engineering technology, computer science, or a related discipline).
Exposure to sensing and monitoring of water concepts, including basic understanding of sensors, data transmission, and connected devices (e.g., through coursework, self-directed learning, or hobby projects).
Demonstrated ability to assemble sensor housing, wire sensor components, with basic mechanical aptitude, comfort with hand/power tools, and the ability to follow technical drawings.
Demonstrated ability or willingness to learn to work safely outdoors in variable weather conditions.
Basic familiarity with spreadsheet software (e.g., Excel) for data entry and review.
Experience handling scientific equipment carefully and following equipment maintenance routines.
Ability to follow detailed written and verbal instructions carefully.
Physical ability to carry field equipment and access outdoor monitoring sites on foot.
Valid driver's license.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with data loggers or sensor hardware platforms (e.g., Arduino or similar).
Familiarity with automatic water samplers would be an asset.
Experience or coursework involving environmental field sampling, water quality monitoring, or laboratory procedures.
Confined space entry certification would be considered an asset
Candidates should live within a short, reliable commute of the University of Guelph campus, as the role requires on-site presence and involves early starts and frequent same-day field travel. This is not a role suited to a long or unpredictable commute or hybrid work.

Responsibilities

Installation of sensor packages at creek and stormwater monitoring sites, including sensors for electrical conductivity, temperature, depth, velocity, turbidity sensors, and low-resolution cameras.
Support the setup of data loggers, battery systems, and internet connectivity hardware at field sites.
Installation of secure equipment housing and ensuring equipment is properly protected in field conditions.
Conduct water sampling using grab and automatic water samplers and analyze these samples for physical and chemical parameters
Follow site access protocols and coordinate with supervisor regarding site security requirements.
Document equipment installation with photographs and written records.
Routine Equipment Maintenance: schedule and perform maintenance visits to sensor sites, following prescribed timelines, including calibration and cleaning of sensors according to standard operating procedures.
Maintain inventory of field equipment and supplies; flag when consumables or replacement parts are needed.
Field work may include coordination with water sampling technicians and assisting with weekly grab sampling, and/or collection of field measurements using portable probes (dissolved oxygen, temperature, electrical conductivity, pH, turbidity) following established protocols.
Data and Record Keeping: maintain organized, accurate field logbooks and equipment records; assist with basic quality checks on collected data, flagging anomalies to the supervisor; support preparation of equipment performance reports and data quality documentation.