Plant Pathology Research Assistant - Research Affiliate Program

Important messages

The student should be enrolled at the University of British Columbia in the Faculty of Forestry in order to have access to faculty and course-work in plant pathology, molecular techniques for fungal identification and sequencing, and statistical modeling that is available from faculty (student will be supervised by Dr. Richard Hamelin, expertise in fungal quantification using genomics) and related course-work that is offered at UBC.

Duties

The research project entails monitoring ascospore release from Sclerotinia sclerotiorum in dry bean fields using molecular methods and relating spore release patterns to while mould disease development and weather variables. During the growing season, duties include collecting spore samples weekly, performing DNA extractions and qPCR assays on the samples, and monitoring dry bean fields in the vicinity of spore samplers for white mold incidence and severity. The student will also assess different high-throughput DNA extraction methods and molecular techniques (qPCR, ddPCR and LAMP assays) for the most accurate but rapid method of spore quantification. In the fall/winter months, statistical analysis of data to develop disease forecasting models based on weather variables and/or spore levels will be performed.

Work environment

Field and lab work will be conducted at the Lethbridge Research and Development Centre (LeRDC) of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. During the growing season, routine travel to Vauxhall, Bow Island and Taber for field work will be required. Lab work will be conducted using shared equipment in various labs at LeRDC.

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 eligible to be enrolled in a PhD program at the University of British Columbia in the Faculty of Forestry with specialization in plant pathology or disease epidemiology.

Degree equivalency

Experience* working with aerial spore monitoring equipment, including troubleshooting of equipment, and sample analysis.
Experience* applying molecular techniques for the quantification of airborne plant pathogen inoculum.

*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)

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of statistical methods for modelling of weather variables related to disease development.
Knowledge of epidemiology of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum as it relates to white mold of dry bean.
Knowledge of a variety of molecular methods for quantifying plant pathogens.

Planning and Organizing
Interactive communication
Initiative

Ability to perform field work with minimal supervision.
Ability to analyze data and prepare scientific manuscripts.
Ability to present scientific data to a diverse audience, including industry stakeholders.

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 travel.
Possession of a valid driver’s license.

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.