Research Assistant - Research Affiliate Program

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

As part of PhD project:
1) Determine best rotation cropping systems for experimental sites in different ecozones on the Canadian prairies (Lethbridge, Lacombe, Beaverlodge, Melfort, Swift Current, Scott); the “best” will be defined quantitatively by comparing the overall performance of cropping systems that include current farming practices, profit maximization systems, improved soil health systems, and commodity diversified systems.
2) Develop a “sustainability index” by scoring the outcomes of crop productivity, whole-farm economics, soil fertility and soil health, and the environmental footprint;
3) Improve nutrient use efficiency by using a ‘nutrient balance model’ to quantify the crop input and by exploring soil residual nutrients and mineralized-N using contemporary crop rotation sequencing;
4) Enhance system resiliency (i.e., enhanced ability to tolerate and/or resist abiotic and biotic stresses or exhibit a rapid recovery from stress-induced damages), through the integration of BMPs;
5) Improve long-term soil health by improving soil fertility and exploring beneficial soil microbiomes.

Work environment

The Lethbridge Research & Development Centre (LeRDC) is one of the largest within Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's national network. The Centre has 46 Research Scientists plus support staff. Research is grouped in the areas of environmental health, bioproducts and bioprocesses, sustainable production systems and food safety and nutrition. LeRDC has excellent laboratory and farm facilities, including a research feedlot.

The successful candidate will join a dynamic research team in the soil conservation laboratory which collaborates with researchers in and agronomy and livestock science. The candidate will work under the supervision of Dr. Frank Larney.

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 and/or willing to enrol in a PhD program at the University of Alberta with specialization in Soil Science or Agronomy.

Degree equivalency

Experience* in laboratory techniques and procedures related to soil and plant analyses.
Experience* in collecting, tabulating, analyzing and reporting scientific data.

*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 agronomy, soil science, and sustainable agriculture.
Knowledge of laboratory techniques and practices.

Adaptability
Initiative
Teamwork
Concern for safety
Interactive communication

Ability to operate basic laboratory and field soil sampling equipment.
Ability to compile, summarize and analyze data.
Ability to work independently with limited supervision.

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 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.