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

To prepare materials and supplies for field and laboratory research.
To collect, process and analyze plant and soil samples.
To generate field and laboratory data.
To perform data analyses of field and laboratory data sets to validate hypotheses.
To summarize and interpret results in the format of scientific manuscript(s) to be published in recognized peer-reviewed journal(s).
To write reports of research and to present the research findings at workshops, field days, and scientific meetings.
To write and defend a Master thesis; wherein, the report of the work carried out during the Master project is reported.

Work environment

The Swift Current Research and Development Centre is one of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s national network of 20 research centres. It is located in Swift Current, in southwestern Saskatchewan, in the semi-arid prairie region. The centre focuses on breeding and developing common wheat and durum varieties that can adapt to dry land prairie conditions, improving production and management practices for sustainable crop production, and developing management practices to protect the environment and stimulate biodiversity.

Day-to-day work will take place between the Swift Current Research and Development Centre and the University of Saskatchewan.

Laboratory and field work will require some prerequisite training.

Positions to be filled: 2

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)

EDUCATION
Currently accepted or willing to enroll in the MSc program in Soil Science in the Department of Soil Science at the University of Saskatchewan.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE
Experience in field and laboratory work related to soil science.
Experience in understanding and analyzing agronomic data.
Experience in conducting literature review and summarizing information under different formats such as written reports and/or presentations.

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 soil health and soil fertility.
Knowledge of crop rotation.
Knowledge of soil and plant sampling and analyses.
Knowledge of statistical analyses.

COMPETENCIES
Interactive communication
Initiative
Adaptability
Teamwork

ABILITIES
Ability to collect and process soil and plant samples.
Ability to summarize and interpret agronomic data.

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

Ability and willingness to travel for field work and program courses.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Ability and willingness to work overtime.
Ability and willingness to work under minimum supervision.
Ability and willingness to work in the field under rain, heat, cold, windy, dusty and noisy conditions.
Under normal safety precautions, able and willing to work with hazardous materials.
Ability and willingness to do repetitive tasks.
Known allergies must be controlled through the use of personal protective equipment and/or medication and must not impinge upon the duties to be performed.

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.