Research Assistant (Assessment of benthic ecosystem services in agricultural streams) - Research Affiliate Program

Important messages

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Assessment accommodation

Duties

Good numerical and geospatial analysis skills and previous fieldwork experience in freshwater ecosystems are essential for this position.

Work environment

The key objectives of this project are to: estimate the rates of emerging benthic insect and wider benthic macroinvertebrate biomass production in agricultural streams in the South Nation watershed, near Ottawa, Ontario. The study will examine food web structure within the riparian zone and stream channels, and explore food web network structure using prior knowledge approaches and direct observation via analysis of gut contents of vertebrate predators including fish and birds, using DNA metabarcoding approaches.

This project is a key component of an ongoing collaborative study (Environmental Change One-health Observatory (ECO2) co-led by AAFC and ECCC, and also involving scientists from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans, the Public Health Agency of Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.

• The field program for this project will begin in spring 2020 and the RAP Research Assistant will organize and co-ordinate benthic sample collection and analysis, and will participate in collection of gut contents samples for food web analysis and DNA metabarcoding. In addition, the RAP Research Assistant will collate geospatial data and other environmental metadata using ArcGIS and will participate in a team-based approach to spatial model development for prediction of ecosystem services. The RAP will carry out statistical analyses using R software, and associated graphical analysis and data display approaches.

• The results of this project will inform future use of ecosystem goods and services (EGS) approaches in sustainable agriculture, and will have direct relevance for the ongoing management of climate change impacts arising from agricultural land use.

Intent of the process

The position is located at Environment Canada Research Laboratories, Department of Biology, University of New Brunswick.

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)

Education:
- The applicant must be currently enrolled in, or eligible to be enrolled in, a PhD program in the Department of Biology at the University of New Brunswick.

- The candidate must be recognized as a full time post-secondary student in an accredited institution AND be required to do a research work term in order to fulfill the academic requirements.

Degree equivalency

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE:
- Thorough knowledge of aquatic ecology.
- Thorough knowledge of traits-based approaches in freshwater ecosystem research.
- Thorough knowledge of protocols for designing and running field-based freshwater ecosystem function experiments.

ABILITY:
- Ability to communicate effectively.
- Ability to work in a research environment.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

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

The client organization will accept applications on-line only. All job applications must therefore be submitted through the Public service jobs website. To submit an application on-line, please select the button “Apply Online” below. Persons with disabilities preventing them from applying on-line are asked to contact 1-800-645-5605.
Reference checks will be sought.

An interview may be administered.

A test may be administered.

A situational exercise may be administered.

You must provide proof of your education credentials.

Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice.

Candidates from outside the public service may be required to pay for travel and relocation costs associated with this selection process.

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.