Forest Protection, Restoration, Regeneration, Conservation, Stewardship

Position: Research Manager
Organization: Mother Tree Network
Location: Southern Vancouver Island / Lower Mainland, BC

About Us

The Mother Tree Network’s purpose is to protect, restore, and transform the stewardship of forests in British Columbia and beyond. The network grew out of the ground-breaking research of founding director and renowned forest ecologist Dr. Suzanne Simard and her Mother Tree Project at UBC. As a registered charity, we bring together researchers, Indigenous partners, and a circle of collaborators to help make the transition to regenerative forest stewardship and alternative forest economies.

Position Summary

The Mother Tree Network (MTN) is leading a five-year interdisciplinary Regenerative Forest Stewardship Research Project involving partner First Nations and a research team that includes eight professors from three universities. Reporting to the Executive Director, the Research Manager will manage this project and associated research work.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Research Manager will:

• Coordinate and/or support field research, lab analysis, and data management and analysis;
• Work with other MTN staff, Indigenous advisors, and Indigenous community leads to ensure that research receives appropriate approvals, follows decolonizing methods and local protocols, and provides opportunities for community involvement;
• Design experimental methods, sampling protocols, field methods, and analytical methods;
• Conduct secondary research and engage with experts and practitioners to develop definitions, principles, standards, practices, and/or monitoring protocols;
• Support the development of a database and/or data collection app;
• Plan and facilitate meetings with, support collaboration among, and organize professional development opportunities for research team members;
• Lead and/or support the writing, presentation, and/or publication of research results;
• Draft service, research, data sharing, and other agreements;
• Work with the research team to ensure outputs are tracked, milestones are met, activities stay within budget, and financial policies and procedures are followed;
• Support the development of funding proposals and complete reporting and evaluation; and
• Support other MTN programs and activities, as required.

Qualifications

• A graduate degree, preferably PhD, in a relevant scientific discipline, such as forestry, biology, resource management, or environmental science
• Minimum of five years of related work experience
• Experience leading scientific research and analyzing and publishing results
• Knowledge of forest ecology, ecosystem-based forest management, forest carbon, and nature-based solutions, and a commitment to Indigenous sovereignty
• Experience managing complex projects and supervising a diverse team
• Organized, analytical, and a skillful communicator, with attention to detail
• Ability to build relationships and work effectively as part of a team and with limited supervision
• Experience facilitating meetings and designing presentations for diverse audiences

Additional desirable assets:

• Experience working with Indigenous communities and Indigenous knowledge
• Knowledge of forest restoration, silviculture, soils, alternative forest economies, ecological modelling
• Registered Professional Forester designation
• Other combinations of education and experience may be considered.

Terms of Employment

The successful candidate will work remotely and ideally be located in the Lower Mainland or southern Vancouver Island, but other locations will be considered. Salary is based on experience and qualifications, but will be in the in the range of $75,000-85,000/year for a 0.8 FTE position (4 days a week). We offer a comprehensive benefit package. The start date is as soon as possible.

To Apply

MTN values employment equity and inclusion. We encourage Indigenous people, women, and members of diverse communities to apply, even if you do not meet all of the requirements.

Please send a resume and cover letter with the subject line ‘Research Manager’ to Dr. Jana Kotaska, Executive Director: jana.kotaska@mothertreenetwork.org

Please mention you saw this at GoodWork.ca.

Application deadline: January 29, 2025