Research Assistant - Research Affiliate Program

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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

The student will do research to blueberry improvement through protoplast isolation, culture and plant regeneration, and/or through somatic hybridization/in vitro selection. Tissue culture plants will be studied at morphological, molecular and biochemical levels.

Work environment

Blueberry genotypes (wild clones, cultivars and hybrids) will be grown at St. John’s Research and Development Centre, St. John’s, NL. Plants will be studied for in vitro culture, propagation and improvement through protoplast isolation, culture and regeneration of plants, gene editing and/or somatic hybridization. Morphological characters, growth and chemical compositions (anthocyanin contents and antioxidant activities) will be studied in in vitro-derived plants. Various molecular markers will be followed to characterize the tissue culture plants. Data collection and analysis will be done following standard procedures. Ph.D. thesis will be prepared and significant results will be published in referred journals. The research will be done in collaboration with the Biology Department of Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A response to a text question addressing the following:

• Provide a brief description of a proposed plan on a study covering in vitro and molecular techniques, along with epigenetic variation and biodiversity in blueberries.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

Currently enrolled or eligible to enroll in a Ph.D. program with specialization in Botany/Plant Physiology at Memorial University of Newfoundland in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

The student will conduct research under the supervision of Dr. Samir C. Debnath at St. John’s Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in collaboration with the Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL to pursue a Ph.D. program in Biology with specialization in Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology.

Degree equivalency

Experience doing research in plant tissue culture, biodiversity or molecular biology.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge in blueberry, plant propagation and plant molecular biology/physiology of crop plants.

Teamwork
Initiative
Analytical Thinking
Concern for safety

Ability to use scientific instruments and tools and to apply scientific techniques and methodologies.
Ability to make observations, collect and record data accurately, summarize results and contribute to the preparation of research papers.

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.

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.