Graduate Student (PhD) in Biological Sciences - 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

In Canada, diseases of peppers, tomatoes and cucurbits caused by Phytophthora capsici have become severe in recent years. The reasons are not clear, however, it is possible that the pathogen has become tolerant or resistant to some of the commonly used fungicides. The possible development of fungicide resistance in the pathogen has created the need for evaluation of various products for enhanced management of phytophthora leaf blight, root and crown rot. The pesticides currently in use have addressed safety concerns and public perception issues but they have limited efficacy against this pathogen. This has created the need for alternative, reduced-risk products and methods to help growers to manage fungicide resistance and effectively control phytophthora related diseases.
The successful applicant will conduct the following tasks:
• Isolation and characterization of Canadian P. capsici strains from soil and plant tissues using morphological and molecular techniques.
• Compare the efficacy of different application methods of biofungicides for control of Canadian P. capsici strains in greenhouse tests.
• Field evaluation of different combinations of biofungicide applications and cultural practices in controlling phytophthora leaf blight, root and crown rot in pepper.
• On-farm demonstration trials of synergistic effects of biofungicide applications and cultural practices in controlling phytophthora leaf blight, root and crown rot in pepper.
• Develop molecular-based diagnostic tools or utilize existing assays to address the systemic nature and persistence of biofungicides in rhizosphere soil and root samples associated to pepper plants.

Work environment

The Vineland campus of the London Research and Development Centre is located in Vineland Station in the Niagara region, where research is focused on improving integrated pest (insects, nematodes, fungi, bacteria, virus) management in fruit and other specialty crops.

Field research will be conducted at AAFC Jordan Farm, and laboratory and greenhouse research at the Vineland facility and Brock University.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter in 500 words (maximum) "providing a short statement of how your research experiences and knowledge prepared you for this PhD position."

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 in a PhD program at Brock University with specialization in biological sciences.

Degree equivalency

Experience* with agricultural field, laboratory and greenhouse experiments.
Experience* working with microorganisms, plants and diseases.
Experience* with molecular and bioinformatics techniques.
Experience* in executing experiments and writing manuscripts.

*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 integrated pest management and biological control.
Knowledge of molecular biology.
Knowledge of bioinformatics.

Interactive communication
Planning and organizing
Initiative

Ability to collect and analyze data, summarize results, make conclusions and prepare publishable, peer-reviewed manuscripts.

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.

Ability and willingness to work outdoors in inclement weather if necessary.
Ability and willingness to travel throughout Ontario for field work.
Ability and willingness to work flexible hours to achieve research goals.

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.