Employment Opportunities

Research Associate Occasionally, after finishing a graduate degree, the graduate will work as a research associate for a couple of weeks to finish writing a paper. Otherwise, we do not employ research associates. This is because there are insufficient funds for research associates after budgeting for graduate students and seasonal research technicians. Volunteer We rarely accept volunteers, partly because few are available long enough to develop their technical snow skills and contribute useful data, and partly because we have had problems assessing their mountain and avalanche skills prior to field trips.

Research Technician (winter)

In recent winters we have employed two half-time research technicians for our field studies in Blue River. For the winter of 2012-13, we have no openings.

Because there are sufficient applications from qualified Canadians and landed immigrants, we cannot support work permits applications from others.  

Research technicians work primarily at our Blue River field station. A typical day includes: 

• Reviewing current weather and avalanche conditions.
• Selecting a study site, as well as access and descent routes based on safety and project objectives. 
• Travel by touring skis with 13-15 kg packs, snowmobile or helicopter from the field station. About half the days are spend in study plots and the remaining days involve field work in avalanche terrain–when conditions permit. 
• At both avalanche slopes and study plots, we observe snow profiles, take photomicrographs of snow crystals and weak layers, preserve specimens of weak layers for plane section analyses, measure the strength of the weak layers with the shear frame, and make standard and experimental stability and propagation tests. 
• Observing and recording avalanche activity. 
• Returning to the field station by ski, snowmobile or helicopter. (Sometimes the skiing is good, sometimes not. There is less than one run per day, so people with high expectations for skiing on the job should not apply.) 
• Back at the field station, the day’s data are entered into our computer database. 

The winter schedule is usually determined in October. Each technician is scheduled for 30 to 70 days, sometimes less, between early December and late March.

People interested in applying should: 

• have a proven ability to travel safely and efficiently on skis or split snowboard often with 13-15 kg packs in avalanche terrain,
• be capable of meticulous field tests of snow properties, hour after hour, day after day,
• have a proven record for working well with others, 
• have a proven record for communicating well with co-workers and their supervisor,  
• have a Canadian Avalanche Association (CAA) Level 1 or higher certification, and
• be familiar with computer spreadsheets and databases. 

  Some of our technicians have a CAA Level II certification and have several years of experience on avalanche control programs for ski areas or highways before they apply. Some have worked as ski guides.  The field season extends from early December to late March. The work schedule varies from year to year and from site to site. Technicians typically work five days on and two or more days off. The research project provides snow study and safety equipment. The technicians supply clothing and equipment for ski touring.

Applicants should send a résumé, including winter recreational experience in the mountains to Dr. Bruce Jamieson, Dept. of Civil Engineering, University of Calgary, 2500 University Drive NW, Calgary, AB. T2N 1N4 by September 10th. Applications should be submitted by e-mail to bruce [dot] jamieson [at] ucalgary [dot] ca or by fax (1-403-282-7026). Staffing is usually complete by mid October. In the résumé or covering letter, please outline your winter mountain experience from employment and recreation. Please include names of referees who can affirm your mountain travel and communication skills.