Research Assistant / PhD Student (Amendment to end date) - Research Affiliate Program

Duties

The student will do research to study blueberry plants to examine the morphological characters, bioactive components and anti-inflammatory effects in blueberry hybrids, clones and cultivars.

Project Title: Organoleptic, Quality and Functional Indices of Wild and Hybrid Newfoundland Berries

The blueberry (Vaccinium spp.) is the most important commercial small fruit crop in Canada with highest farm gate value. The fruit has very high medicinal values. Blueberry clones, cultivars and/or hybrids will be grown in the field and will be evaluated for morphological and bioactive components including functional and quality indices, antioxidant contents or anti-inflammatory effects. Data collection and analysis will be done following standard procedures. Ph.D. thesis will be prepared and significant results will be published in referred journals. The candidate should be a Ph.D. student in Environmental Science at Memorial University of Newfoundland, and will conduct the research at the Grenfell Campus/Boreal Ecosystem Research Facility, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada under the co-supervision of Dr. Samir C. Debnath (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Research Scientist and Adjunct Professor of Memorial University of Newfoundland, Biology Department) and Dr. Raymond Thomas, Associate Professor, Environmental Science/Boreal Ecosystem Research Facility, Grenfell Campus, Memorial University, Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

Work environment

Blueberry genotypes (wild clones, cultivars and hybrids) will be grown in the field and/or in a greenhouse in one or two sites in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The student will do research to examine the potentiality of blueberry genotypes with respect to morphological and bioactive components including functional and quality indices, antioxidant contents or anti-inflammatory effects. Data collection and analysis will be done following standard procedures. Ph.D. thesis will be prepared and significant results will be published in referred journals. The research will be done in collaboration with the St. John’s Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada and the Department of Environmental Science/Boreal Ecosystem Research Facility, Grenfell Campus of the Memorial University of Newfoundland, Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

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 Ph.D. program with specialization in Environmental Science at the Grenfell Campus, Memorial University of Newfoundland, Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador.

Degree equivalency

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge in blueberry, agronomy, biochemistry, environmental science, analytical chemistry or food science

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.
Ability to work in morphological and chemical analysis including functional and quality indices, antioxidant contents or anti-inflammatory effects of blueberry hybrids.

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.

Other information

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

***In order for your application to be considered, you must submit a brief description of a proposed plan to study the organoleptic, quality and functional indices of wild and hybrid Newfoundland berries (not exceeding 2,000 words).***

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.