Master’s Student – Narwhal Tusk Microchemisty - Research Affiliate Program

Duties

The Arctic Aquatic Research Division of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is based at the Freshwater Institute in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Division provides information and advice to support the management of Arctic fisheries resources, their habitat and Marine Protected Areas (MPA) in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, and on the Yukon North Slope. Successful management and conservation of these resources depends on acquiring, interpreting and sharing biological information, the processes affecting them and the ecosystem of which they are part.

Challenges of the position :
• Conduct critical analysis in stock assessment data/research
• Participate in science and peer-review meetings in stock assessments
• Defend stock assessment research, internally in DFO and/or externally at conferences
• Produce appropriate documentation of results and findings
• Participate in consultative committees and work with clients and stakeholdersanalyse and interpret data, and publish results in government reports and peer-reviewed journals.

Work environment

Candidates of the program will work in one of Fisheries and Oceans Canada's research laboratories, the Freshwater Institute, located in Winnipeg. They will work as part of an assessment team to design and conduct a study on narwhal foraging behavior and life history using microchemistry analysis of tusk growth layers.

Candidates will participate in Arctic field work to collect narwhal tusks from harvested whales. A high degree of physical fitness is required and previous Arctic fieldwork experience is an asset.

Candidates will work in a laboratory setting. Lab work may include, and may not be limited to: sectioning of tusks, operation of a micromill to sample tusk dentine growth layer groups, and preparation and analysis of dentine for stable isotopes, trace elements, and hormone concentrations.

Candidates will also have contact with members of the Hunters and Trappers Organizations and non-governmental organizations in the presentation of information leading to advice for fisheries managers.

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)

Enrolment in a Masters program in a field of study related to marine ecosystems in an accredited Canadian University.

Degree equivalency

Experience collecting, tabulating, analyzing and reporting scientific data.

Experience in writing and communicating research findings.

Experience working with research teams and community members.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of ecology, biology, marine management.

Ability to collect and synthesize information in accordance with appropriate analytical approaches (e.g. statistical techniques, spatial modelling).

Initiative
Teamwork
Interactive communication
Adaptability
Organized
Independent

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Valid Health Canada medical.
Willingness and ability to travel.

Other information

An interview may be administered.

You must provide proof of your education credentials.

Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice.

When submitting an application to this selection process, you will be prompted to answer screening questions concerning the essential education, and the essential and asset experience qualifications. When answering these questions, please provide detailed, concrete examples that clearly demonstrate how you meet the requirement. Failure to clearly substantiate how you meet the screening criteria may result in the rejection of your application. Candidates may not be solicited for incomplete or possible missing information.

An alternative format (such as Braille) of this notice and Statement of Merit Criteria are available upon request.

Candidates will be communicated with via e-mail. In your application, please include the e-mail address that you wish to use for communication purposes throughout this recruitment initiative. It is your responsibility to verify your e-mail account on a regular basis.

Persons with disabilities preventing them from applying on-line, are asked to contact us toll free at 1-800-645-5605 and press '0' for assistance.

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

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.