Research assistant - Research Affiliate Program

Duties

Due to the breadth of the research undertaken at the Centre the candidate will provide support and technical assistance at an Agriculture and Agri-Food Research Centre in some or all of the following by:
• Contributing to the development of analytical methods and evaluation techniques.
• Contributing to the development of new techniques and methods.
• Contributing to collection foliar sampling of potato and data analysis.
• Assisting with laboratory and field support for research programs.
• Carries out research activities under lab and/or field conditions.
• Assisting in the maintenance of research equipment.

Work environment

The Quebec Research and Development Centre is one of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's network of 20 research centres. Research conducted at the Quebec Research and Development Centre supports three science priorities (enhancing economic benefits; enhancing environmental performance; and developing opportunities from bioresources). The goal of this research is to make crop systems more sustainable in cold, wet climates by developing crop rotations that promote the use of forage species. The centre employs a multidisciplinary team of researchers in perennial plant production and agri-environment, a combination that is unique to the Quebec Research and Development Centre.

The centre benefits from its strategic position as a member of a regional research cluster in life and earth sciences, which is conducive to multiple partnerships with other Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) research centres (e.g. Sherbrooke and Ottawa), academia (e.g. Laval, McGill and INRS-ETE), industry (e.g. dairy and beef clusters), and more. The centre is ideally located to support the development of sustainable modern agriculture in cool, damp climates.

The centre has a satellite location, the Normandin Research Farm, which supports research into northern or boreal agriculture.

The Quebec Research and Development Centre conducts research in the following areas:
•perennial crop production systems and bioproducts
•the environmental performance of perennial and short-season crops and cropping systems

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)

Master from a recognized post-secondary institution in one of the following field:
• Agricultural Sciences;
• Environmental Science;
• Food Science; Soil Science;
• Or other related science program.

Currently enrolled or eligible to enrolled in a PhD program in a recognized post-secondary institution in Soils and environment.

Degree equivalency

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

Experience conducting laboratory or field experiments.
Experience collecting and performing analysis on samples.
Experience with foliar potato plant sampling and analysis.

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

English or French

Information on language requirements

Knowledge in agronomy
Knowledge in soil science – Nitrogen cycle
Knowledge in statistics

Interactive communication
Judgment
Teamwork

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.

Valid driver’s licence

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.

With appropriate safety precautions in place, ability and willingness to work in laboratory,
Greenhouse or field conditions for extended periods of time.

Ability and willingness to work outdoors under various weather conditions and be exposed to stinging insects.

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

Other information

Salary:
Master: from $17.92 to $22.54
Doctorate: from $20.70 to $24.59

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.