Research Assistant - Research Affiliate Program

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 student will do research to berry improvement through adventitious shoot regeneration, somatic embryogenesis and/or protoplast isolation, culture and plant regeneration, and/or through somatic hybridization/in vitro selection. Tissue culture plants will be studied at morphological, molecular and biochemical levels and epigenetic variation will be explored for berry crop improvement.

Work environment

Blueberry and huckleberry and/or lingonberry genotypes (wild clones, cultivars and/or hybrids) will be grown at St. John’s Research and Development Centre, St. John’s, NL. Plants will be studied for in vitro culture, propagation and improvement through adventitious shoot regeneration, somatic embryogenesis and/or protoplast isolation; culture and regeneration of plants, gene editing and/or somatic hybridization. Morphological characters, growth and chemical compositions (anthocyanin contents and antioxidant activities) will be studied in in vitro-derived plants. Various molecular analyses will be followed to characterize the tissue culture plants and to study epigenetic variation in micropropagated plants. Data collection and analysis will be done following standard procedures. Ph.D. thesis will be prepared and significant results will be published in referred journals. The research will be done in collaboration with the Biology Department of Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL.

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)

Currently enrolled/or willing to enroll in a Ph.D. program with specialization in Biology/Plant Physiology/Molecular Biology at Memorial University of Newfoundland in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

The student will conduct research under the supervision of Dr. Samir C. Debnath at St. John’s Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in collaboration with the Memorial University of Newfoundland, St. John’s, NL to pursue a Ph.D. program in Biology with specialization in Plant Physiology and Molecular Biology.

Degree equivalency

Experience* doing research in plant tissue culture and/or molecular biology

*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 in Vaccinium species, plant propagation and/or plant molecular biology/physiology of crop plants.

Teamwork
Initiative
Analytical Thinking
Concern for safety

Ability to use scientific instruments and tools and to apply scientific techniques and methodologies.
Ability to make observations.
Ability to collect, record and summarize data.
Ability to contribute to the preparation of research papers.

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 travel
Ability and willingness to work in laboratory, greenhouse, and/or field environments for extended periods at a time Ability and willingness to work with plants in the laboratory, field, greenhouse or growth chamber
Ability and willingness to work with chemicals
Ability and willingness to control allergies, through the use of personal protective equipment and/or medication without impinging on the duties to be performed
Ability and willingness to work with hazardous chemicals and pesticides using appropriate safety equipment after receiving suitable training
Ability and willingness to work in field plots with rough, uneven terrain, where agricultural amendments and pesticides (in accordance with safety standards and label specifications) are used

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.