Agricultural Climate Modelling Intern

Department / Team:
Research

Reports To:

Senior Manager, Research Programs and Operations

Classification:
Part-time (8-16 hours/week);
Term ending March 31, 2027

Location:

Guelph, Ontario;
Hybrid

Compensation: $25/hour

The Agricultural Climate Modelling Intern supports greenhouse gas (GHG) modelling and applied agricultural research activities delivered through the On-Farm Climate Action Fund (OFCAF). The role will support the collection, quality control, modelling, analysis, and interpretation of farm operational, soil health, and GHG data used to assess the environmental outcomes of agricultural Beneficial Management Practices (BMPs). Working with OSCIA Research and Knowledge Transfer staff, farmer cooperators, service providers, and other project partners, the Intern will develop and evaluate farm-specific GHG and carbon models using HOLOS and the DeNitrification and DeComposition (DNDC) model.

The position will contribute to model calibration and validation, regional BMP assessment, program reporting, and the translation of modelling results into practical information for Ontario agriculture. This internship is primarily data- and modelling-focused, with opportunities to support related research, reporting, and knowledge translation activities as required.

• Build, calibrate, and validate farm-specific models for carbon sequestration and greenhouse gas emissions using HOLOS and the DeNitrification and DeComposition (DNDC) model.
• Evaluate the impact of agricultural BMPs on modelled GHG emissions and carbon outcomes across Ontario agricultural regions.
• Document modelling assumptions, parameters, methodologies, limitations, and results to support reproducibility and technical review.
• Collaborate with OSCIA Research and Knowledge Transfer staff, researchers, academic partners, service providers, and other technical experts to maintain sound modelling and analytical practices.

• Assemble, organize, clean, and quality control datasets from farmer cooperators, project service providers, research partners, and publicly available sources.
• Identify data gaps, inconsistencies, and quality concerns and work with project staff and partners to resolve issues where possible.
• Maintain clear data documentation, file organization, version control, and records of data sources and transformations.
• Follow OSCIA requirements related to data governance, confidentiality, security, privacy, and information sharing.

• Contribute technical information, analyses, tables, figures, and summaries for internal reports, funder reporting, research reports, and project documentation.
• Participate in project meetings and provide updates on modelling progress, data requirements, findings, and emerging issues.
• Support other applied research activities as required.

• Support interpretation of modelling results and identification of key findings relevant to agricultural BMP performance and greenhouse gas mitigation.
• Work with OSCIA's Knowledge Translation and Transfer staff to translate key modelling outcomes into clear, practical information for farmers, agricultural professionals, funders, and project stakeholders.
• Contribute to presentations, technical summaries, fact sheets, reports, or other knowledge transfer products as appropriate.
• Other duties as assigned.

Currently completing a graduate degree in an agricultural, environmental, or closely related discipline such as climate change, soil science, agronomy, environmental science, agricultural systems, or a related field. Preference may be given to candidates completing a PhD.

• Experience with, or demonstrated ability to learn, agricultural greenhouse gas or carbon modelling tools. Experience with HOLOS and/or DNDC is strongly preferred.
• Experience organizing, cleaning, quality controlling, and analyzing research datasets.
• Understanding of agricultural production systems, soil carbon, and greenhouse gas emissions.
• Experience with statistical analysis, preparing technical reports, research summaries, and research data management principles, including data sharing and data security.
• Experience with data visualization, research data interpretation.
• Understanding of data sharing, data security, confidentiality, and research data management principles.
• Experience preparing…