MABRRI hires students to work on both new and ongoing research projects throughout the academic year and during the summer period. We offer both Work Opportunity (work-op) and Research Assistant (RA) positions.
We recommend work-op positions are recommended if you are new to MABRRI. Work-op positions are part-time, project-based work. They offer 50 to 100 hours per semester. They are a great way for us to get to know you and for you to get your foot in the door. Keep an eye out on this page for any work-op positions throughout the school year.
RA positions are intended for senior undergraduate students. RAs work on several ongoing MABRRI projects at a time and assist in facilitating outreach in the community. We typically only offer RA positions throughout the summer months.
We give priority for these positions to students who have previously worked for MABRRI and demonstrated a high quality of work. However, interested students are always encouraged to contact one of the coordinators or drop by our office to discuss possible work opportunities. Please see below for current job postings.
Current job opportunities
Note that opportunities regularly come up, so please keep checking for updates. If you would like more information, please email mabrri@viu.ca.
Current job postings:
MABRRI Engagement Assistant
Rate of pay: $20 per hour
Hours: 50 hours over the 2025 Fall Semester, with the possibility of extension into the Spring Semester
Requirements: Experience or knowledge in the following is an asset: communications, social media, community engagement, and applied research. Must be enrolled in a minimum of 3 courses (9 credits).
Duties: Develop social media content, engage with public and VIU students to promote the MABR and MABRRI, and support with event planning.
Deadline: All applications must be submitted by 4:00pm on September 16, 2025, with a cover letter and curriculum vitae to mabrri@viu.ca.
Description: The Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region Research Institute (MABRRI), at the VIU Nanaimo campus, is the education and research arm of the UNESCO-designated Mount Arrowsmith Biosphere Region (MABR). MABRRI also upholds VIU's Research and Academic Plan by creating projects and initiatives that have a regional impact. MABRRI’s mission is to advance a program of inquiry that involves regional stakeholders in meaningful explorations of issues of local relevance. By harnessing the knowledge of the MABR community and the interdisciplinary strengths of students and faculty at VIU, MABRRI is a centre for collaborative research, innovation, and knowledge sharing that elevates the relationship between people and nature on Vancouver Island and within the MABR.
MABRRI is seeking a VIU student to join our team as an Engagement Assistant Work Op for the 2025 Fall Semester. The Engagement Assistant Work Op will be tasked with four main responsibilities: 1) produce educational and promotional materials and deliver social media content; 2) foster engagement with the MABR and VIU communities; 3) support event planning and facilitation; and 4) support the development and implementation of MABRRI’s initiatives and projects as needed. The overarching goal is to enhance awareness, engagement, and action among community through the development of educational programming, tools, and materials. The student may also be tasked to assist with other MABRRI’s research projects and initiatives, such as planning for the 2026 Brant Wildlife Festival and the EuroMAB 2026 Conference.
Duties and responsibilities for this position include:
- assist with the development of social media content
- interact and engage with the public to promote the MABR and MABRRI, including aiding in the development and implementation of initiatives to engage the VIU community
- assist with the planning of events
- assist with the development of educational programming
- assist MABRRI in finding sponsorships and funding to support educational programming and research
- assist with research projects and fieldwork
Preference will be given to students with:
- experience with creating visual content
- experience and proficiency with social media platforms and marketing campaigns
- strong organization and facilitation skills
- experience with community engagement and event planning
This position will give the accepted candidate experience in 1) social media development, 2) community engagement, and 3) translating research to knowledge dissemination materials.
MABRRI Student Research Assistant, Environmental Projects
Rate of pay: $20 per hour
Hours: 50 hours over the 2025 Fall Semester, with the possibility of extension into the Spring Semester
Deadline: All applications must be submitted by 4:00pm on September 16, 2025, with a cover letter and curriculum vitae to mabrri@viu.ca.
Description: MABRRI is currently looking for a VIU student to join our research team for the Fall 2025 semester to support ongoing environmental projects, with primary focus on the Forage Fish Spawning Habitat Monitoring Project. The project aims to identify which beaches forage fish, specifically Pacific sand lance and surf smelt, are spawning on in the mid-Vancouver Island region. The goal of the project is to identify when and where these fish are spawning along the coast.
To date, MABRRI has established over 100 sample locations and are working with 6 citizen science groups to aid in the collection of the data. The project involves data entry, lab work, processing samples, and analyzing for eggs. This position will also require flexibility to support the MABRRI team with various tasks related to other projects when needed, including but not limited to: biodiversity conservation education and awareness; conducting fieldwork for marine debris surveys, wetland monitoring, and habitat restoration; literature/document reviews; data management for various projects; and creating knowledge dissemination content for projects.
The ideal candidate will have a background in biology or a relevant field of study and will have some experience with research, field work, data collection, data analysis, and equipment maintenance. A basic knowledge of forage fish, specifically Pacific sand lance and surf smelt, are an asset but are not required. Strong work ethic and team attitude will be considered. Ideal candidates should be flexible and willing to take on new challenges. This position will be funded by the VIU work-op employment program; as such, eligible applicants must be enrolled in 3 courses (9 credits) minimum.
MABRRI Student Research Assistant, Coastal Plant Phenology Research and Monitoring Project
Rate of pay: $20 per hour
Hours: 50 hours over the 2025 Fall Semester, with the possibility of extension into the Spring Semester
Requirements: Must have experience/knowledge in research, fieldwork, data collection, and data analysis, and must be enrolled in 3 courses (9 credits) minimum
Duties: Analyze and interpret field camera data for MABRRI’s Coastal Plant Phenology Research & Monitoring Project
Deadline: All applications must be submitted by 4:00pm on September 16, 2025, with a cover letter and curriculum vitae to mabrri@viu.ca.
Description: MABRRI is seeking a VIU student to assist with the Coastal Plant Phenology Research & Monitoring Project for the 2025 Fall Semester. This project is a collaboration with MABRRI, VIU, Milner Gardens & Woodland, and the Ministry of Forests. The goal of the project is to understand how climate change may be impacting the growing season of some of our native coastal plant species. We are studying the relationship between microclimates and plant phenology. Phenological data is collected using either in-person or field camera data collection methods. Each site also has a microclimate station in order to collect site-specific climate data.
The successful applicant will be analyzing the field camera data, which involves analyzing photos to identify any distinguishable phenophases (seasonally reoccurring events in a plants life such as bud break, flowers, and fruits). The Research Assistant may also be assisting with the analysis of microclimate data. Additionally, they will take part in at least one field day involving in-person phenology data collection.
This position will give the accepted candidate experience in: 1) plant phenology of native species, 2) using camera analysis software, 3) managing large datasets, and 4) data analysis. The candidate will have the opportunity to meet and work with community volunteers, staff from Milner Gardens & Woodland, and staff from the Ministry of Forests. Candidates should be enrolled in their third or fourth year in a relevant field of study (e.g. Biology, Forestry, Geography, etc.). Preference will be given to students that have taken courses related to the following subjects: research methods, statistics, and climatology. In addition, a general understanding of local plant species, particularly those that exist within the Coastal Douglas-fir biogeoclimatic zone, will be considered an asset.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply. Vancouver Island University and MABRRI are committed to building and sustaining a diverse and inclusive working and learning environment. In our journey towards greater diversity, we invite applications from members from equity-seeking communities including racialized and Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of all gender identities and sexual orientations.
