Graduate Student (MSc/PhD) - Research Affiliate Program

Update: Please note that the selection process has been amended to extend the closing date to November 8, 2019 - 23:59, Pacific Time.

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

The successful candidate will have the opportunities to conduct a research experiment in laboratory, greenhouse, and fields to understand the pathogenicity of plant parasitic nematodes. The potential research areas include: (i) isolation and characterization of nematodes from soil and plant root by morphological and molecular techniques (ii) understand the pathogenicity of plant parasitic nematodes and their impact on plant growth (iii) development of new molecular technique for identification of closely related nematode species (iv) NGS of selected nematode species by using high end technology (v) bioinformatics and molecular data analysis using Linux based computer programs etc. In addition to academic competence, knowledge of the nematode isolation, culture and basic knowledge on laboratory microbiology and bioinformatics will be highly appreciated. The student will have the opportunities to interact with growers, industry partners, other graduate students, research technicians and other researchers. The successful candidate should have good work ethics, a strong sense of responsibilities, ability to work in team environments, and enthusiasm to work in both controlled environments and fields. Preference will be given to a Canadian citizen and a permanent resident of Canada.

The day-to-day work will take place at two locations: laboratory research and green house study at Vineland campus of London Research and Development Centre; and Jordan farm located at Jordan station for the field research.
The successful applicant will conduct the following tasks:
• Isolation and characterization of nematodes from soil and plant roots using morphological and molecular techniques.
• Greenhouse study of nematodes.
• Field evaluation of different combinations of plant parasitic nematodes with or without presence of other pathogens.
• On-farm demonstration trials of parasitic nematodes.
• Develop molecular-based diagnostic tools to differentiate between closely related nematode species.
• Genome sequencing, data analysis using different bioinformatics programs and sequencing by high end technologies such as hiseq, miseq and nenopore.
• Etc.

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 with a collaboration with different Gov. and non Gov. agencies, Universities and foreign Gov.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter in 1,000 words (maximum) "Please provide a short (no more than one page) statement of how your research experiences and knowledge prepare 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 Master’s or PhD program in a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in Biotechnology, Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Parasitology.

Degree equivalency

Experience* with laboratory and agricultural field or greenhouse experiments.
Experience* working with microorganisms, diseases and plant parasites.
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 plant and plant pathogens.
Knowledge of molecular biology and techniques.
Knowledge of basic microbiology and general laboratory practices.
Knowledge of molecular data analysis and bioinformatics.
Knowledge of experimental design and statistics.

Interactive communication
Interpersonal skills
Creativity and innovation
Planning and organizing
Initiative
Teamwork

Ability to collect and analyze data, summarize results, make conclusions and prepare publishable, peer-reviewed manuscripts.
Ability to communicate effectively in writing and oral.
Ability to plan, design, and set up experiments.
Ability to handle multiple tasks or project activities.

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

Knowledge in Nematology, collection, culture and biology of Nematodes.

Ability to use different software to analyze DNA sequence and NGS data specially on Linux based environment.

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 for field work
Ability and willingness to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends to achieve research goals
Possession of a valid driver’s license and personal mobility: please note that Vineland research station do not have any public transport system.

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.