Juneau Icefield Research Programme (JIRP), Atlin, Juneau, USA and the field.
JIRP is excited to hire an Archiving Research Assistant for the 2026 Field Season! For two months between June and August 2026, this person will traverse the Juneau Icefield with JIRP, archiving materials like theses, textbooks, data logs, journal article collections, and reports. JIRP is looking for a self-sufficient, organized individual who is interested in glaciology, data rescue, and open science, and who is ideally familiar with the JIRP.
Compensation: $20-25/hr, travel reimbursement up to $850, room and board included.
Season Dates: June 10 – August 11 (+/- 3 days).
Responsibilities
- Archive (scan and document) materials like theses, textbooks, data logs, journal article collections, and reports using a book scanner.
- Find, collect, and scan meteorological logs and other documents scattered around the icefield at various caches and camps.
- Transport and maintain the scanner throughout the season (e.g., prepare it for snowmobile transport, realign cameras).
- If interested, lead short workshops for students on archiving practice.
- If interested, take repeat photography at camps, archive JIRP camp paraphernalia (e.g., scanning walls & beams), and/or design your own project, with the JIRP archive at the center.
- Participate in camp chores and maintenance as a member of the 50-person Undergraduate Field Course.
- Actively contribute to an inclusive and respectful work environment, communicate and collaborate with colleagues, value diverse perspectives, and adhere to the JIRP Code of Conduct.
Qualifications
JIRP encourages anyone who is interested in this role to apply, regardless of whether you feel you meet 100% of the qualifications. The top candidates will bring their own unique perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds with many but not necessarily all of the skills listed above – and maybe some more that aren’t included here, too!
Required
- US Citizen, permanent resident, or legally able to work in the U.S.
- Have (or can get) a passport valid through Feb. 1, 2027.
- No DUI or DWI in the past three years.
- No more than two moving violations in the past three years.
- Completed or near complete undergraduate degree or M.A./M.S. in earth science, environmental science/studies, library science, or a related field.
- Familiarity with glacier travel & skiing.
Preferred
- Available June 10 to August 11, 2026 (+/- 3 days).
- No DUI or DWI within the last ten years (if you do have one, you will need to file a special application if you enter Canada with the Programme.
- Experience scanning, archiving and/or documenting data collections
- Self-sustaining and comfortable working on your own indoors.
- Experience mentoring a research assistant and/or teaching students.
Schedule & Compensation
The Archiving Assistant will be expected to work 5 days per week documenting and scanning, largely in camp (40 hrs/week). When not working, they can participate in other JIRP outings, workshops, and lectures. The daily schedule will largely be self-determined.
The Archiving Assistant will be trained (as needed) by Elizabeth Case and supervised primarily by Elizabeth Case (Blocks 0-1) and Allen Pope (Block 4). The first point of contact when neither are in the field will be the rotating Academic Lead. JIRP will provide room and board in Atlin, Juneau, and the field, plus travel reimbursement up to $850.
Application deadline 8 March 2026.