Biotechnology 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 perform cell and molecular biology experiments at the Lethbridge Research and Development Centre in the Enabling Technologies laboratory. This will involve work on RNAi in smut fungi and germinating cereal seeds. Cell penetrating technologies will be used to deliver dicer-substrate siRNA. Knock-down will be measured using qRT-PCR from isolated RNA and through phenotypic assays. The work will constitute the bulk of the student’s lab work for their thesis.

Intent of the process

We are looking to hire a graduate student currently enrolled full-time in a PhD. program in the department of Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Science at the University of Alberta that will relocate to Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada to complete thesis research components.

The student will be co-supervised by Dr. John Laurie (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada) and Dr. Linda Gorim (University of Alberta). Experimental work will be on the project entitled “Nanocarrier technology for the next generation of cereal seed treatments”.

The individual will work at the Lethbridge Research and Development Centre for the laboratory component of his/her program after having completed all course work for their degree.

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 in a PhD. program in the department of Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Science at the University of Alberta.

Degree equivalency

Experience working in a plant molecular biology laboratory.
Experience conducting literature review and summarizing information under different formats such as written reports or presentations.

*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 molecular biology.
Knowledge of plant transformation.
Knowledge of RNAi.

Problem Solving
Autonomy
Planning and Organizing
Initiative

Ability to use molecular biology techniques, including nucleic acid isolation, PCR and gel electrophoresis.
Ability to perform plant tissue culture.
Ability to analyze data and prepare scientific manuscripts.
Ability to present scientific data to a diverse audience.

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 overtime.
Ability and willingness to work under minimum supervision.
Under normal safety precautions, ability and willingness to work with hazardous materials.
Ability and willingness to do repetitive tasks.
Known allergies must be controlled through the use of personal protective equipment and/or medication and must not impinge upon the duties to be performed.

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.