GAA | Campus Meadow Researcher
Overview of duties
The successful candidates will work collaboratively with members of the SEEDS Sustainability Program, the UBC School of Architecture and Landscape Architecture, and Campus and Community Planning’s Planning & Design team to steward the existing meadow on the Vancouver campus at the south end of Main Mall at Agronomy Road at the Reconciliation Pole, or to develop and steward the new meadow at the centre of the Vancouver campus at Main Mall and UBlvd. The successful candidates will work with contemporary maintenance practices suited to this specific landscape typology through a unique paid role and accompanying 3-credit unpaid directed study focused on process-based stewardship practices.
This applied research role requires the successful candidates to work outside and on site for the duration of the contract while also conducting desktop research around stewardship practices as it pertains to campus meadows, supporting a directed study. The Meadow Researchers will report to Tatiana Nozaki, Adjunct Professor, UBC SALA and Sara Jacobs, Assistant Professor UBC SALA, with support and input from SEEDS Climate Resilience and Biodiversity Applied Research Coordinator and the UBC University Landscape Architect.
Duties:
Coordinate the following key tasks with the project Supervisor and Co-Supervisors:
• Tend to the meadow by watering, identifying and removing unwanted plants, and relocating plants as necessary
• Observe and record on-going natural processes in the meadow
• Steward the meadow in sync with natural processes observed
• Plant and relocate plants as necessary to support the healthy growth and establishment of the meadow over its second growing season
• Integrate existing research plots into the larger meadow matrix
• Create temporary signage graphics to describe meadow activities
Directed Study:
• Successful candidates will also enroll in a 3-credit research-based directed study, advised by Professor Sara Jacobs. As part of the directed study, candidates will:
• Develop a methodology for and execute the research around stewardship/maintenance practices and how it can be applied to the UBC context for campus meadows in coordination with the project Supervisor and Co-Supervisors. Research may include precedent searches and interviews with local practitioners and policy makers with experience stewarding biodiverse landscapes.
• Tailor and curate actions for implementation to current faculty and staff resources and ensure that they are realistic, cost-effective, and sustainable options for the University.
• Create and deliver a visually appealing report for key interested parties, including UBC policy makers and practitioners, UBC SALA faculty and SEEDS representatives that documents the natural processes of the meadow and the stewardship/maintenance practices responding to the on-site work and research outcomes. Include site photos, references, and a practitioner summary highlighting major findings and recommendations for future research and actions in the final document submission.
The Campus Meadow Researcher and UBlvd Meadow Researcher will work collaboratively.
Supervisor: Sara Jacobs, Tatiana Nozaki
Co-Supervisors: Georgia Stanley, Climate Resilience and Biodiversity Applied Research Coordinator, SEED Sustainability Program, UBC Renée Lussier, UBC University Landscape Architect, C&CP Planning and Design
Qualifications
• Education and experience in landscape design, planting and/or gardening, and native plant identification
• Strong written and graphic communication skills, including translating information for a variety of audiences (including non-academic practitioners)
• Experience effectively collaborating with teams on applied research projects
Application deadline
How to apply
Submit a CV, 1-page cover letter, and 2-page work sample by March 31. In the cover letter, please indicate your interest in working at the Main Mall South or UBlvd location.