Research Affiliate Program Student – Climate Change and Health

Update: Closing date extended.

Important messages

You must clearly indicate which stream(s) you are applying for on your application.

To be considered for Research Affiliate Program (RAP) work opportunities,
you must meet the following criteria:

Be recognized as having full-time student status by the post-secondary academic institution at which you are currently enrolled (proof will be required).

Be the minimum age to work in the province or territory where the job is located.

Before applying, the candidates must verify with their academic supervisor or department head that they will be authorized to conduct research work in an off-campus office.

Student must be willing to start work on/around January 2018. The student will be expected to work approximately 15-35 hours per week and be willing to commit to the research project for a period of about 4 to 12 months. The candidate's RAP research activities must be aligned with their Masters or PhD Program that is being conducted to fulfill degree requirements at a recognized post-secondary institution. Research may be conducted in English or French.

Duties

Would you like to help tackle what the World Health Organization calls the greatest threat to human health in the 21st Century? If so, come join the team working to protect the health of Canadians from the impacts of climate change and build climate resiliency in our health system.

There are three potential streams you can apply to depending on your knowledge, abilities and interests. These include:

STREAM 1 (Data, Monitoring, and Surveillance):

You’ll have opportunities to help expand the understanding of the health and health system impacts of climate change and support development of surveillance and monitoring initiatives. The specific research focus will depend upon your skills and interests but could include topics such as, supporting design of new monitoring and surveillance programs, quantitative analysis of health impacts/outcomes of climate change, or analysing the economic costs of the health and health system impacts of climate change.

In particular, duties may include:
•Conducting innovative quantitative research and/or data analysis;
•Writing research reports and presenting the results to multidisciplinary audiences.

STREAM 2 (Heat – Urban Heat Islands):

In many Canadian cities urban temperatures are even hotter because of the urban heat island effect. The urban heat island effect can magnify health impacts during heat waves as sustained higher air temperatures have been linked to increases in heat-related illnesses and death. You’ll have opportunities to conduct research and develop policy-relevant advice for communities on how to take action to reduce the urban heat island effect.

In particular, duties may include:
•Write summary and synthesis reports and present the results to a multidisciplinary audiences;
•Assist with various aspects of the current activities to address the health impacts of extreme heat.

STREAM 3 (Heat – Health Promotion):

The health impact during heat waves has been linked to increases in heat-related illnesses and death, and may have a more profound impact on the health of vulnerable populations (e.g. seniors, children, people living with chronic illnesses, etc). You’ll have an opportunity to conduct research and support heat health promotion programs and outreach activities, such as educating Canadians on heat health impacts and protective measures, and health promotion activities related to the implementation of Heat Alert and Response Systems (HARS).

In particular, duties may include:
•Conducting research, write reports and present the results to multidisciplinary audiences;
•Supporting risk communications, updating of heat health promotion documents, and supporting outreach activities with stakeholders.

Work environment

The Climate Change and Innovation Bureau is the focal point within Health Canada for coordinating research and disseminating information about the impacts of climate change on the health and well-being of Canadians, as well as building capacity across the country to address these impacts.

Positions to be filled: 3

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter in 5,000 words (maximum) "outlining your suitability for the stream(s) you are applying for and your research interests. Please note that this will be used to evaluate your ability to communicate effectively in writing."

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)

Common to ALL STREAMS :

Education :
The Student must be currently enrolled in a Masters or PhD Program in a recognized post-secondary academic institution with full-time status in one of the following specializations: health sciences, public health, epidemiology, economics, sociology, computer science, bioinformatics, statistics, geography, health geography, urban planning, environmental studies or in a field relevant to the duties of the position.

Degree equivalency

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

STREAM 1 (Data, Surveillance and Monitoring):

- Knowledge of quantitative analysis, research design and methodology

STREAM 2 (Heat – Urban heat island):

- Knowledge of the linkages between health and the built environment
- Knowledge of geography, health geography, urban planning, or environmental issues

STREAM 3 (Heat – Health Promotion):

- Knowledge of health promotion principles and practices
- Knowledge of the determinants of health and vulnerable populations

Common to ALL STREAMS:

- Ability to communicate effectively in writing
- Ability to communicate effectively orally
- Analytical Thinking
- Initiative
- Teamwork
- Planning and Organization
- Respectful of Diversity

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

Knowledge of climate change impacts on health

Creativity and Innovation

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Other information

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.

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.

For further information on the Research Affiliate Program (RAP), please visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-service
commission/jobs/services/recruitment/students/research-affiliate-program.html.

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 veterans and to Canadian citizens, in that order.

Information on the preference to veterans

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