Ph.D student - Research Affiliate Program

Important messages

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Information on accommodation for persons with disabilities

Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice. Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred official language in their application.

Communication for this process will be sent via email. It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure accurate contact information is provided and updated as required. Candidates who apply to this selection process should include an email address that accepts email from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email).

Duties

• Modify and develop experimental procedures to study the impact of contrasted cropping managements on; i) soil enzymes involved in C,N and P cycling; ii) the C, N, P stoichiometry in soil and in soil microbial biomass; iii) C and N isotope fractionation and; iv) soil biological communities involved in nutrient cycling.
• Contributes to the design and maintenance of experimental trials associated to the research topic.
• Maintains records of field and laboratory activities related to the research topic
• Meet the requirements set by the Department for Ph.D. students.
• Perform statistical analyses of data, present and discuss results.
• Write and defend the thesis.

Work environment

Under minor supervision, the incumbent will be responsible for conducting research on the topic entitled “Nutrient cycling and soil biodiversity under diversified cropping systems”. The incumbent will be based at the AAFC Charlottetown Research and Development Centre for laboratory and field work. The incumbent will be enrolled either at Laval University (Quebec) or at Dalhousie University and meets their requirements for a Ph.D candidate.

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

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 PhD program in a recognized post-secondary academic institution with specialization in: agricultural science, soil science, environmental science or any relevant area.

Degree equivalency

Experience in establishing agriculture related-experimental trials.
Experience in laboratory work.
Experience in conducting literature review and in summarizing information under different formats (reports or presentations).
Experience in keeping records associated with experimental trials.
Experience in conducting statistical analyses from agriculture related-experimental trials.

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

English or French

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of Canadian agricultural systems and main challenges faced by eastern Canada agroecosystems.
Knowledge of plant, soil sciences and soil microbiology.
Knowledge of statistics and experimental design.

Teamwork
Attention to details
Creativity
Initiative
Adaptability
Interactive communication

Ability to work under pressure.
Ability to keep and maintain accurate, detailed and well organized records and collecting and interpreting data.
Ability to perform data analyses using statistical software such as SAS or R.

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.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Valid driver’s license
Ability and willingness to work in laboratory with hazardous materials and in greenhouse and in field conditions.
Ability and willingness to travel for field work.
Ability and willingness to do repetitive tasks.
Ability and willingness to lift slightly heavy soil or plant samples.
Ability and willingness to work by occasions under rain, heat and dust environment.

Other information

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the targeted groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

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.

Preference

Preference will be given to Canadian citizens.

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