PhD 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).

Duties

The student will perform trials with weaning, growing and finishing pigs.

Collect, manage and analyze data from experimental trials;
Perform statistical analysis;
Write scientific communications and reports.

Work environment

The team which the student will be part works on developing sustainable precision feeding for pigs. The research has focus on decreasing the environmental impact of the swine production while being cost-effective for the swine producers and increasing animal welfare.

The Sherbrooke RDC is the only AAFC research centre that is dedicated exclusively to dairy and swine production. Specializing in a number of different disciplines in the areas of animal such as husbandry, nutrition, functional genomics, agro-environmental processes, behaviour study and meat quality, the centre’s research teams are able to conduct both fundamental and applied research to gain insight into and develop solutions to issues related to livestock production.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

Currently enrolled/or willing to enroll in PhD program in a recognize post-secondary institution with specialization in: Animal Science

Degree equivalency

Experience conducting research projects with animals;

Experience collecting and analyzing data from animals;

Experience managing, processing and analyzing data from in silico experiences (e.g. modelling);

Experience writing scientific communications (e.g. abstracts, posters, articles).

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

English or French

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of concepts and principles of animal nutrition

Knowledge of concepts and principles of feed formulation;

Knowledge of concepts and principles of pig’s physiology;

Knowledge of concepts and principles of precision feeding for pigs;

Knowledge in the use of programming and data processing software (e.g. Minitab, R, SAS or equivalent).

Adaptability
Initiative
Interactive communication
Planning and organization
Working alone and with a team
Writing ability

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

Ability and willingness to work overtime if needed.

Ability and willingness to travel on occasion.

Ability and willingness to work in laboratories, pilot plants and facilities of private-sector stakeholders.

Ability and willingness to work in the field and in the barn.

Ability and willingness to work with strong odours (manure, sludge, etc.).

Ability and willingness to work with laboratory animals and large farm animals.

Ability and willingness to work with microorganisms and pathogens.

Ability and willingness to work in a confined environment, comply with the instructions and apply established procedures.

Ability and willingness to work with samples of human or animal or environment origin, which may contain unknown pathogens.

Ability and willingness to take and / or handle a range of samples (including, without limitation, feces, tissue, body fluids, organs, meat, fruits, vegetables, environmental samples, etc.) from production systems, slaughterhouses, processing plants, field trials and clinical trials.

Ability and willingness to work with acids and strong bases.

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.