Graduate Student (PhD) - Research Affiliate Program

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).

Duties

In the past 2-3 years in Canada, fruit trees including apple, pear and apricot, have shown evidence of serious and unprecedented mortality rate exceeding 40%. This fruit tree decline is evident in apple, pear and stone fruits, and may be caused by a complex combination of biotic and abiotic stresses. Symptoms of decline leading to mortality have been reported in Ontario, British Columbia, Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia. Preliminary research and literature reports have identified bacterial, fungal, nematode, arthropod and viral agents as biotic contributing factors. A thorough understanding of the etiology of the causal agent(s) is vital for preventing the spread of these diseases and minimizing their effects on tree fruit production in Canada.
The successful applicant will conduct the following tasks:
• Isolation of fungal and bacterial pathogens that are contributing to the fruit tree decline.
• Identification of fungal and bacterial pathogens by means of morphological and molecular techniques.
• Fulfilment of Koch's postulates to determine which pathogen(s) are responsible for the characteristic diseases symptoms observed in apple, pear and stone fruit.
• Develop molecular-based diagnostic tools or utilize existing assays for an efficient early detection of fungal and bacterial pathogens.

Work environment

The Vineland campus of the London Research and Development Centre is located in Vineland Station in the Niagara region, where research is focused on improving integrated pest (insects, nematodes, fungi, bacteria, virus) management in fruit and other specialty crops.
Field research will be conducted at AAFC Jordan Farm, and laboratory and greenhouse research at the Vineland facility and Brock University.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter in 1,000 words (maximum) "Please provide a short (no more than one page) statement of how your research experiences and knowledge prepare you for this PhD position."

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 at Brock University with specialization in plant pathology or microbial ecology.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE
Experience* with agricultural field and/or laboratory and greenhouse experiments

Experience* working with microorganisms, plants and diseases.

Experience* with molecular and bioinformatics techniques.

Experience* in executing experiments and writing manuscripts

*Note: 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
Knowledge of systematics, taxonomy, phylogeny, bioinformatics and molecular evolution.

COMPETENCIES
Interactive communication
Planning and organizing
Initiative

ABILITIES
Ability to collect and analyze data, summarize results, make conclusions and prepare publishable, peer-reviewed manuscripts.

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 work outdoors in inclement weather if necessary
Ability and willingness to travel throughout Ontario for field work
Ability and willingness to work flexible hours to achieve research goals

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.