Senior Student Research Assistant – Northern Saw-whet Owl Motus Project
Lethbridge PolytechnicLethbridge, AlbertaScience & Research
Posted September 10, 2026
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About this job
Lethbridge Polytechnic is seeking a Senior Student Research Assistant to support a collaborative research project examining the migration, breeding ecology, and dispersal of Northern Saw-whet Owls in the Cypress Hills. The project is led by Medicine Hat College in partnership with Lethbridge Polytechnic.
The successful candidate will serve as the lead LP student researcher on the project. During fall 2026 and winter 2027, the student will complete a focused literature review, help refine spring migration monitoring and Motus telemetry protocols, assess regional receiver coverage, and support the development of project data-management workflows. In spring 2027, the student will assist with field preparations and preliminary migration monitoring at the Northern Saw-whet Owl banding station in Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park.
This position is approximately 100 hours in total. Hours will vary over the appointment, generally averaging 3–5 hours per week during the literature review and planning phases, with more concentrated evening and overnight shifts during the spring 2027 field season.
This position provides an opportunity to develop applied research experience in ornithology, migration ecology, wildlife telemetry, scientific communication, and field-project coordination while working with researchers from Lethbridge Polytechnic and Medicine Hat College.
Please note this opportunity is open to current Lethbridge Polytechnic students only.
The successful candidate will serve as the lead LP student researcher on the project. During fall 2026 and winter 2027, the student will complete a focused literature review, help refine spring migration monitoring and Motus telemetry protocols, assess regional receiver coverage, and support the development of project data-management workflows. In spring 2027, the student will assist with field preparations and preliminary migration monitoring at the Northern Saw-whet Owl banding station in Cypress Hills Interprovincial Park.
This position is approximately 100 hours in total. Hours will vary over the appointment, generally averaging 3–5 hours per week during the literature review and planning phases, with more concentrated evening and overnight shifts during the spring 2027 field season.
This position provides an opportunity to develop applied research experience in ornithology, migration ecology, wildlife telemetry, scientific communication, and field-project coordination while working with researchers from Lethbridge Polytechnic and Medicine Hat College.
Please note this opportunity is open to current Lethbridge Polytechnic students only.