Graduate Student (MS/PhD) - Research Affiliate Program

Update: AMENDMENT to CLOSING DATE

Important messages

We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please use the Contact information below to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Assessment accommodation

AAFC is committed to diversity and inclusion and is proud to be recognized as one of Canada’s best diversity employers. We welcome all applicants and strongly encourage candidates to self-declare if they belong to an Employment Equity designated group (i.e. Aboriginal Peoples, Persons with Disabilities, Visible Minorities or Women).

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 successful candidate will have the opportunities to conduct a research experiment in laboratory, greenhouse, and fields to understand the apple summer disease as well as explore the management options.

The potential research areas include: (i) Survey of fungal pathogens from apple orchard causing fruit rots in Atlantic Canada (ii) isolation and characterization of causal agents associated with apple summer diseases such as scab, bitter rot and black rot (iii) understand the pathogen biology and disease cycle (iv) exploitation of host-pathogen interaction/host resistance (v) exploration of sustainable management options for the apple summer disease issue. In addition to academic competence, the successful candidate will be familiar with the apple production system and will have opportunities to interact with growers, industry partners, other graduate students, and research technicians. The successful candidate should have good work ethics, a strong sense of responsibilities, ability to work in team environments, and an enthusiasm to work in both controlled environments and fields. Preference will be given to a Canadian citizen and a permanent resident of Canada.

The day-to-day work will take place at two locations: Acadia or Dalhousie University during periods of coursework and some of the laboratory work; and Kentville Research and Development Centre, NS for the field, greenhouse, and laboratory research.

Work environment

The Kentville Research and Development Centre (KRDC) is one of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) national network of 20 research centers. It is located in Kentville, in western Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley. Today, research is focused on horticulture, functional foods and post-harvest processing of horticultural products. The center focuses its research in three key areas: primary production and integrated crop production technology for the Atlantic region, food safety and quality and environmental stewardship, and improving performance of the agricultural production system.

Day-to-day work will take place at a Government of Canada research facility and Acadia or Dalhousie University – each a professional and relaxed setting.

Laboratory work will require some prerequisite safety training. About 60 to 70% of the work will be in controlled environments and remaining portions includes field trials.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

Contact information for 3 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 and eligible to enroll in a Master’s or Ph.D. program at Acadia or Dalhousie University, in the field of plant pathology, Plant Sciences, microbiology, agriculture, molecular biology or a closely-related field.

Degree equivalency

Experience with microbial isolation and characterization using traditional microbiology and molecular techniques.
Experience with plant pathogens/microbes, molecular biology or other relevant fields.
Experience in conducting laboratory, greenhouse or field trials.
Experience in an agricultural setting or biological research.

*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 common plant pathogens.
Knowledge of plant pathology and plant disease management.
Knowledge of molecular biology and techniques.
Knowledge of principles of agriculture.
Knowledge of experimental design and/or statistics.

Interpersonal skills
Creativity and innovation
Planning and organizing
Initiative
Teamwork

Ability to communicate effectively in writing and oral
Ability to plan, design, and set up experiments
Ability to collect, record, and analyze data, summarize results and contribute and prepare manuscripts.
Ability to handle multiple tasks or project activities.
Ability to work independently.

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 for field work in major apple growing areas in Atlantic Canada.
Ability and willingness to work outdoors in various weather conditions for long periods of time
Ability and willingness to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends

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 designated 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.