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

Duties

The student will do research to study micropropagated blueberry plants at molecular level and to examine the biodiversity in blueberry clones and cultivars. Morphological and chemical characters (antioxidant activity) will also be studied.

Project Title: In vitro and molecular approach for blueberry improvement

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 hybrids will be grown in greenhouse, tree cage or in the field and will be evaluated for micropropagation properties, morphological characters, growth and for chemical compositions (anthocyanin contents and antioxidant activities). Molecular analysis will be done to study genetic diversity among the genotypes using various molecular markers. 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 at the Memorial University of Newfoundland in the Department of Biology and the research will be conducted at the St. John’s Research and Development Centre, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada under the supervision of Dr. Samir C. Debnath (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Research Scientist and Adjunct Professor of Memorial University of Newfoundland, Biology Department).

Work environment

Blueberry genotypes (wild clones, cultivars and hybrids) will be grown at St. John’s Research and Development Centre, St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. The student will do research to examine the potentiality of blueberry genotypes with respect to molecular diversity, micropropagation, antioxidant activity and morphological characters. 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 Biology Department of Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, 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 Plant Physiology, Biotechnology or Molecular Biology at the Biology Department, Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, 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, plant propagation, genetic diversity and plant molecular biology or physiology of crop plants.

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 plant tissue culture, biodiversity or molecular biology.

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 on in vitro and molecular approach for blueberry improvement (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.