Research assistant - Research Affiliate Program

Important messages

This research internship is linked to the research project carried out by the Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Research and Development Centre. However, the internship location will be at Sainte-Foy, Quebec, specifically at Île d'Orléans.

Duties

The candidate will participate in the Organic production of strawberry through exploitation of its natural genetic ability to absorb silicon research project.

The project has the following objectives in 2017
• Measure the effect of Si amendment at repressing powdery mildew (and other diseases) on different strawberry cultivars selected on the basis of their ability to absorb Si.
• Evaluate the benefit of Si amendment on strawberry in both tunnel and field production systems.
• Implement a production system exploiting Si-competent strawberry cultivars and Si amendments for disease repression.

The candidate will be involved in experiments in high tunnels as well as in the production in the field that will be conducted for this research project. The candidate will assess the silicon fed plants for different agronomical parameters (disease control, biomass, and fruit yield and quality) under conventional field culture and high tunnels culture. The candidate will also be in charge of physico-chemical measurements of nutrient solution and substrates. Commercial field and tunnel style plots will be set up at Ile d’Orléans.

Work environment

The Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Research and Development Centre is one of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's network of 20 research centres. The Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Research and Development Centre was established in 1912, and since its creation has had a mandate centered on horticulture research. The centre is strategically positioned to study production and protection systems of fruits and vegetables and promotes the use of low inputs, which minimizes the environmental impact and aims to increase crop quality at pre- and post-harvest stages. The centre has staff specialized in pest and crop bioclimatic modeling.

Due to the centre's geographic location and expertise, the Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Research and Development Centre is well positioned to study fruit and vegetable production and protection systems. It is a Minor Use Pesticide Program site, and aims to minimize the impact of the agricultural industry on the environment while improving the pre- and post-harvest quality of crops. It is one of the most important experimental sites for the Pest Control Centre's registration requests for the Minor Use Pesticide Program, with a team of biologists and their technicians. This research corresponds with industry needs in Quebec and Canada.

The Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Research and Development Centre's two experimental farms represent clearly differentiated pedologic zones and each one has an official weather station from Environment Canada. These farms are located in L'Acadie and Sainte-Clotilde, Quebec.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A list of the courses you have taken as well as any courses that you are taking now, or that you will be taking this academic year.

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 in a bachelor program in Bio-Agronomy in a recognized post-secondary institution.

The candidate must be recognized as a full time post-secondary student in an accredited institution and required to do a research work term in order to fulfill academic requirement.

Degree equivalency

Experience in fertilization and irrigation through tensiometry management.

Note: 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)

French essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge in plant physiology,
Knowledge in soil chemistry,
Knowledge of Insect and weed ,
Knowledge in bioclimatology,
Knowledge of plant production and soil fertilization principles

Initiative
Teamwork
Interactive communication
Adaptability
Planification and Organization

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.

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.