Graduate Student (MSc or PhD) - Research Affiliate Program

Update: UPDATE: Please note that the selection process has been amended to extend the closing date to April 23, 2019 - 23:59, Pacific Time.

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

- Conduct field, greenhouse and lab experiments at Beaverlodge Research Farm to study the effect of plant nutrition, growth regulation and plant protection factors on: i) photosynthesis, respiration, growth rate, phenology, yield components and seed quality of forage/turf-grasses; ii) major soil physical, chemical and biological properties; iii) gross-margin of the forage/turf-grasses.
- Contribute to the design and maintenance of experimental trials associated to the research topic.
- Maintain records of field and laboratory activities related to the research topic.
- Meet the requirements set by the academic institution for master or PhD students.
- Perform statistical analyses of data, present and discuss results.
- Write and defend the thesis.

Work environment

All experimental work need to be done at Beaverlodge Research Farm, as the project aims to contribute to the innovations pertaining to the forage seed production in the Peace region.

- Work may involve periods of bending, squatting, kneeling, twisting, lifting and movement of materials for various experimental tasks indoor and outside in a field.
- Occasional exposure to several disagreeable conditions such as loud noise from growth chambers, farm equipment, temperature extremes, dust, insects, fungi and agricultural chemicals.
- During field work, exposure to inclement weather, insect, rough terrain and the necessity to wear cumbersome protective gear. This exposure can occur for 4 to 6 months per year, up to 40% of the time.
- Lab work requires the use of protective measures to prevent exposure to low level radiation, chemicals and noise from equipment up to 40% of the time.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter in 1,500 words (maximum) "Write an essay on “Constraints to and opportunities for enhancing multi-harvest seed yield in forage/turf-grass crops in Canada"."

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 Master’s or PhD program in a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in agricultural or related sciences such as Plant/Soil/Environmental sciences.

Degree equivalency

Experience* conducting crop experiments in the field, greenhouse and growth chamber.
Experience* extracting, processing and analyzing plant and/or soil samples.
Experience* in recording observations, compiling data and conducting statistical analysis.
Experience* in literature review and report writing (for Master’s candidate) or publications(for PhD candidate).

*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 crop eco-physiology and production processes.
Knowledge of soil properties and management of soil productivity.
Knowledge of experimental design and statistical analyses.

Teamwork
Attention to detail
Creativity
Initiative

Ability to perform data analyses using statistical software such as SAS or R.
Ability to work with scientific and small field equipment.

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.

Valid driver’s license.
Ability and willingness to work in laboratory with hazardous materials 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 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.