Ph.D. Student - Research Affiliate Program

Important messages

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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

• Modify and develop experimental procedures to study the impacts of contrasted cropping managements on; i) soil enzymes involved in C,N and P cycling; ii) Soil carbon quality using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) technique; selected soil-physical and chemical properties.
• 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 doctorate students.
• Perform statistical analyses of data, present and discuss results.
• Write and defend the thesis.

Work environment

Under supervision, the incumbent will be responsible for conducting research on the topic entitled “Assessment of different cropping systems including crop rotations, supplemental irrigation and reduced tillage on nutrient cycling, soil properties and potato performance”. 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 master 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 Ph.D. 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.

*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)

Various language requirements
English essential
English or French essential

Information on language requirements

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

Teamwork
Attention to detail
Creativity
Initiative
Adaptability
Interactive communication

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

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.