Research Assistant - Research Affiliate Program

Duties

Project title: Nutrient balances: modeling and simulation in agricultural systems.

Year round data collection and analysis will be done at a tile drained field facility located at the St. John’s Research and Development Centre. The M.Sc. thesis will be prepared and significant results will be published in peer reviewed journals. The candidate should be a graduate student at the Memorial University of Newfoundland in the Department of Environmental Sciences. The research will be conducted at the St. John’s Research and Development Centre, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada under the co-supervision of Dr. David B. McKenzie (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Research Scientist).

The student will conduct research under the supervision of Dr. David B. McKenzie at the St. John’s Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, and Professor Adrian Unc with the Memorial University of Newfoundland to pursue a graduate program in Environmental Science with specialization in Environmental Sciences, Agricultural Sciences.

Students will be required to work outside, sometimes in inclement weather (e.g. cool temperatures, rain, wind), while wearing appropriate protective equipment (e.g. rain gear). Several projects require bending for extensive periods (e.g. taking soil samples, weeding).

Work environment

The St. John’s Research and Development Centre (formerly the Atlantic Cool Climate Crop Research Centre) is one of a number of research institutes operated by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada across the country. The Centre is located in St. John’s, the provincial capital of Newfoundland and Labrador, and is recognized as a centre of excellence among the province’s agricultural communities. Current research is focused on crop production, integrated pest management/entomology, nutrient management, molecular biology/plant propagation, and plant pathology.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

You must meet all essential qualifications in order to be appointed to the position. Other qualifications may be a deciding factor in choosing the person to be appointed. Some essential and other qualifications will be assessed through your application. It is your responsibility to provide appropriate examples that illustrate how you meet each qualification. Failing to do so could result in your application being rejected.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

Currently enrolled or willing to enroll in a Master’s program in a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in Environmental Science.

Degree equivalency

Experience in environmental sciences lab techniques.

*In the context of student recruitment in the Federal Public Service, the experience can be acquired through the studies, work experience, or volunteer activities.

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of soil moisture monitoring methods suitable for the field and calibration of moisture monitoring equipment in the lab.

Teamwork
Initiative
Analytical Thinking

Ability to use scientific instruments and tools and to apply scientific techniques and methodologies.

Ability to make observations, collect and record data accurately, summarize results and contribute to the preparation of research papers.

Ability to work in collaboration with other students and technicians.

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

Selection may be limited to members of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women

Information on employment equity

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance - Each student hired through the Research Affiliate Program (RAP) must meet the security requirements of the position as a condition of employment, and therefore will be asked by the hiring organization to complete security-relevant documents.

Possession of a valid driver’s license.

With appropriate safety precautions in place, ability and willingness to work in laboratory, greenhouse, and/or field environments for extended periods at a time.

Ability and willingness to work outdoors under various weather conditions.

Under normal safety precautions, ability and willingness to work with hazardous materials.

Known allergies must be controlled through the use of personal protective equipment and/or medication and must not impinge upon the duties to be performed.

Ability and willingness to perform physical tasks such as crouching, bending, and lifting objects of a moderate weight.

Other information

Applications submitted by email will not be accepted. You must apply on-line through www.jobs.gc.ca.

Successful completion of both a RAP work assignment and your educational program may lead to a temporary or permanent federal public service position for which you meet the merit criteria and conditions of employment.

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled, diverse workforce reflective of Canadian society. As a result, it promotes employment equity and encourages candidates to indicate voluntarily on their application if they are a woman, an Aboriginal person, a person with a disability or a member of a visible minority group.

The Public Service of Canada is also committed to developing inclusive, barrier-free selection processes and work environments. If contacted in relation to a job opportunity or testing, you should advise the Public Service Commission or the departmental official in a timely fashion of the accommodation measures which must be taken to enable you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

Preference

Preference will be given to Canadian citizens.

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.