Research Assistant in Plant Pathology / Microbiology - 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

- Isolates from plant tissue of pure strains (and their DNA) of Verticillium (growth chamber experiments and from samples received);
- Characterizes the VCG group and aggressiveness of strains at the genetic level, using various methods;
- Analyses the results and writes reports (scientific publications).

Work environment

The Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Research and Development Centre helps the Canadian horticultural sector to stay competitive and sustainable by developing new knowledge, tools and know-how, chiefly in the field of horticultural crop protection, while taking a biovigilance and precision horticulture approach. The Centre fully supports the departmental priority to “generate new knowledge, foster innovation and increase adoption and commercialization of agricultural, agri-food and agri-based products, processes or practices.”

This job offer is the result of a research project to characterize the Canada-wide diversity of Verticillium spp. involved in potato early dying (PED). PED is a major yield-limiting factor for potato farmers in all producing provinces of Canada. The disease is mainly caused by Verticillium dahliae, but can also be due to infection by V. albo-atrum or a pathogen complex, such as the nematode Pratylenchus penetrans. Soil fumigation may be effective in eliminating pathogenic species but is non-specific and may subsequently affect soil health by eliminating other soil microorganisms. A better understanding of the causal agents may allow for the development of more targeted treatments. The project aims to isolate (from soil and plant samples) and characterize Verticillium strains causing PED in six Canadian provinces, in terms of their aggressiveness and population genetic diversity, and to characterize their interactions with P. penetrans in order to better understand the PED complex and its effect on Verticillium aggressiveness.

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)

Currently enrolled/or willing to enroll in a Master’s program in a recognized post-secondary academic institution with specialization in microbiology or plant pathology.

Degree equivalency

Experience In isolating microorganisms from plant tissue;
Experience In conducting laboratory or field experiments;
Experience In collecting and analyzing data;
Experience In some basic techniques of molecular biology (DNA extractions, PCR)

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

French essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge in Potato and its pathogens, especially Verticillium.

Initiative
Thinking things through
Interactive communication
Judgement
Teamwork
Demonstrating integrity and respect

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.

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 the email referenced below under “Contact Information”.

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.