Research Assistant - Research Affiliate Program

Update: The poster is extended to November 15, 2019.

Important messages

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Assessment accommodation

Duties

The challenges, task and responsibilities all include the fact that the student must independently develop and implement a research program based on the development of methods to rear and study larval amphibians, and the use of appropriate tools for sample collection and preservation, sample extraction, and sample analyses to assess those data. The student must independently establish this research program and be responsible for the public dissemination of the results of the analyses, through public presentations and through the peer-reviewed literature. The research program developed by the student will support the assessment of the influence of larval amphibians on surrounding ecosystems, and the use of eDNA to identify larval amphibians in their natural environments. Both these topics present a gap in current understanding and in the current peer-reviewed literature, and are of urgent importance in the face of a global biodiversity decline, imposing a high level of responsibility on the student with respect to the credibility of the work completed.

Work environment

The selected student will conduct analyses of field- and laboratory-based collections and data at the Redpath Museum of McGill University in Montreal. Samples and associated information exist at the Museum that can be analysed and assessed to enable ecosystem structure analyses of small freshwater wetlands. The project will involve the design, development and implementation of a research program based on the development of methods to rear and study larval amphibians in natural environments, and the development and use of appropriate tools for sample collection and preservation, sample extraction, and sample analyses to assess those data. The research program developed by the student will support, using eDNA and ecosystem structure analyses, the assessment of the influence of larval amphibians on surrounding ecosystems, and the use of eDNA to identify larval amphibians in their natural environments.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

• Student must be currently enrolled or eligible to enroll in a Doctorate program in Biology at McGill University.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE*

• Experience in eDNA, zooplankton and chlorophyll collection, preservation, extraction, and analysis.
• Experience rearing and monitoring amphibian larvae.
• Experience with the techniques involved with compiling, assessing and analysing ecosystem (wetland) structure data and the quality assurance and quality control processes required for their analysis.
• Experience with the techniques involved with compiling, assessing and analysing eDNA data and the quality assurance and quality control processes required for their analysis.
• Experience with the production of presentations, reports and manuscripts, and public outreach.

*In the context of student recruitment in the federal public service, experience can be acquired through studies, work experience or volunteer activities..

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

English or French

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE

• Knowledge of the types of data generated by the assessment of wetland and ecosystem structuring.

ABILITIES

• Ability to provide guidance regarding eDNA analysis techniques
• Ability to provide guidance regarding ecosystem (wetland) structure analysis techniques

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance - Note: Each student hired through the Research Affiliate Program (RAP) must meet the security requirements of the position as a condition of employment. Therefore, the student will be asked by the hiring organization to complete security-related 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

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 may be sought.

An interview may be administered.

You will be required to provide proof of your education credentials through the process.

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

Successful completion of both a Research Affiliate Program (RAP) assignment and your educational program may lead to temporary or permanent federal public service positions for which you meet the merit criteria and conditions of employment.

For this selection process, it is our intention to communicate with candidates via email for screening and assessment purposes. This will include communication of screening results and invitations to written tests and interviews. To that end, candidates must include a valid email address in their application. It is the candidate's responsibility to ensure that this address is functional and that it accepts messages from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email). It is also the candidate's responsibility to ensure accurate information is provided and updated as required.

Preference

Preference will be given to Canadian citizens.

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.