Research Assistant – Animal Science - Research Affiliate Program

Duties

Project description: Overall, this proposal aims to reduce antibiotic resistance in beef cattle by identifying critical activities that lead to resistance and by investigating nasal probiotics to enhance immunity and confer protection against BRD pathogens. This will be done by first applying metagenomics tools to evaluate how antimicrobial use impacts development of AMR in the bovine nasopharyngeal and fecal microbiomes. Secondly, challenge-based studies using calves will evaluate the effectiveness of nasal application of probiotic bacteria on respiratory immunity enhancement.

Lab duties: culture pathogenic and commensal bacteria, perform PCR and ELISA, extract DNA and RNA from bacteria and cattle, conduct gel electrophoresis, analyze DNA using bioinformatics software, summarize and analyze data.

Work environment

The Lethbridge Research and Development Centre (LeRDC) is one of the largest within Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's national network of research centres. The Centre has 54 research scientists and is located in southern Alberta. The Centre's research is focused in the areas of environmental health, bioproducts and bioprocesses, food safety and nutrition, and sustainable production systems. LeRDC has excellent facilities for sheep and beef cattle, including a research feedlot and carries on significant research in new and improved technologies for beef cattle production and beef quality.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

Contact information for 2 references.

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/or willing to enroll in a Master’s program at the University of Lethbridge with specialization in Biology, Microbiology or related field.

Degree equivalency

- Experience working in a microbiology lab with containment level-2 bacteria
- Experience characterizing bacteria, including microscopy, DNA extraction, and PCR
- Experience recording and summarizing research data

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

- Knowledge of sampling, handling and storage procedures for biological materials.

- Planning & Organizing
- Adaptability
- Initiative
- Teamwork

- Ability to collect and perform analyses on biological materials including blood, fecal, and rumen samples
- Ability to implement research activities.

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.

Ability and willingness to work in a laboratory with chemicals and level-2 pathogens
Ability and willingness collect samples in abattoirs, barns, and under field conditions where climate varies.
Ability and willingness to work flexible hours.
Ability and willingness to work with small and large animals.
Ability and willingness to work under various environmental and weather conditions.
Ability and willingness to work with hazardous chemicals and materials.
Known allergies must be controlled either through the use of dust masks and/or medication and not impinge on tasks to be performed.

Other information

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

Persons with disabilities preventing them from applying on-line are asked to contact 1-800-645-5605.

Candidates will be required to pay for their own travel related to assessment and successful candidates will be responsible for obtaining their own living accommodations.

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.