Stream 1: Environmental Epidemiologist; Stream 2: Toxicologist - Research Affiliate Program

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.

The student must be willing to start the work term in May 2018. It is expected that the student work 20 hours per week. The duration for this work term is for a 12 month period (ending May 2019).

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

The Population Studies Division of the Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada applies methods of epidemiology and biostatistics to increase knowledge of adverse health effects of exposures to harmful environmental chemicals. The Division conducts research that contributes to evidence-based decisions on key areas such as exposure assessment, vulnerable populations and health impacts. In addition to conducting research, scientists and professionals support the development of policies, standards, and guidelines for health protection, and contribute to the analysis of current and emerging risks to health.

Stream 1:
The specific area of research for this position entails an evaluation of potential health effects on maternal and/or child health of early life exposure to various environmental chemicals.
As a Research Affiliate Program environmental epidemiology student, the student will be expected to:
- Conduct literature reviews and write critical summaries of the literature
- Develop a research question and data analysis plan
- Provide assistance with management of databases
- Conduct statistical analyses of research data
- Contribute to the interpretation of results and writing of manuscripts describing the research conducted

The challenges will be to quickly understand the operational requirements for conducting ethical research on human subjects within the federal government and to show initiative to assist with research activities. The student will be expected to work independently and with a diverse team of internal and external researchers.
Stream 2:
In this position, the student will work on the dissemination of data from the national biomonitoring program conducted under the Canadian Health Measures Survey (CHMS).
As a Research Affiliate Program, the toxicology or environmental health student, the student may be expected to:
- Research and draft chemical summaries for inclusion in reports
- Liaise with internal and external partners to review and compile data, and draft report text
- Conduct literature reviews and write critical summaries of the literature
- Understand statistical analyses of research data
- Contribute to the interpretation of results and writing of manuscripts

The challenges will be to quickly understand the operational requirements for conducting human biomonitoring surveys with the federal government context and to show initiative. The student will be expected to work independently and with a diverse team of internal and external partners.

Work environment

Stream 1:
The work will be conducted at the Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada located at 101 Tunney’s Pasture Driveway in Ottawa, Ontario.

Stream 2:
The work will be conducted at the Environmental Health Science and Research Bureau, Health Canada located at 269 Laurier Ave. W, Ottawa, Ontario.

Positions to be filled: 2

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter in 5,000 words (maximum) "outlining your suitability 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 graduate courses you have taken, your marks for these courses, 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)

Education

Stream 1:
Current enrolment in a Masters or Doctoral program in epidemiology at a recognized Canadian post-secondary university.

Stream 2:
Current enrolment in a Masters or Doctoral program in environmental health or toxicology at a recognized Canadian post-secondary university.

Degree equivalency

Experience:

Stream 1:
Experience conducting statistical analysis of research data using SAS or R, including multivariate logistic and linear regression modelling.

Stream 2:
Experience in analysing, reviewing and interpreting scientific data, literature and/or information.
Experience in writing and summarizing scientific data and information.

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

English or French

Information on language requirements

Abilities and Personal Suitability:
Streams 1 and 2:
Ability to communicate effectively in writing
Ability to communicate effectively orally
Respectful of Diversity

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

Asset qualifications*:
Stream 1:
Well organized
Initiative
Teamwork
Ability to work with minimal supervision
Experience in data management, including merging large datasets, data cleaning, and creating derived variables.
Knowledge of several environmental chemicals, sources and routes of exposure, and known health effects.
Experience in conducting literature searches and critically reviewing papers published in the epidemiologic literature.

Stream 2:
Attention to details
Well organized
Initiative
Teamwork
Ability to work with minimal supervision
Experience in data management, including merging large datasets
Knowledge of several environmental chemicals, sources and routes of exposure, and known health effects.
Experience in conducting literature searches and critically reviewing papers published in the epidemiologic literature.

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

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.

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 Canadian citizens.

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