Research Affiliate Student / Summer Student - 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

Students will be required to work outside most days, sometimes in inclement weather (e.g. cold/hot temperatures, rain, wind), while wearing appropriate protective equipment (e.g. rain gear). Several projects require bending for extensive periods (e.g. taking soil samples, collecting insects, weeding), and lifting (e.g. soil pots, greenhouse plastic).

Note that field and lab-based work may be impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. At all times, regional public health guidance as well as AAFC’s policies and protocols regarding the pandemic will be followed. In the event that the anticipated duties are temporarily or permanently suspended due to the pandemic, students may be assigned alternative tasks that can be completed from home, such as data entry or literature review

1 student for “Vegetable Production in the North” (St. John’s):
One student will work under AAFC staff in the field and lab to assist with the setup, maintenance, data collection/entry and sample collection on a field vegetable production project in St. John’s; term from early May to late August; 14-16 weeks (dates potentially flexible).

1 student for “Insect Biocontrol” (St. John’s):
One student will assist the Entomology team with duties related to various research projects. Primarily this involves collecting and preparing insects for identification, caring for plants, placing host plants in the field and weeding field plots. Occasional duties include data entry, and maintenance of a large insect collection. Term from late May to late August; 14-16 weeks (dates potentially flexible).

2 students for “Atlantic Soil Biodivers. & Health” (St. John’s):
Two students will perform soil sample collection, preparation, and shipping to assist with a project about soil quality and health across the Atlantic provinces. Students will conduct frequent day trips in the region surrounding St. John’s to collect soil samples; as permitted by regional COVID-related restrictions, the students may also conduct overnight trips to collect soil samples from other areas on the island of Newfoundland; term from early May to late August; 14-16 weeks (dates potentially flexible).

Work environment

The St. John’s Research and Development Centre is one of a number of research institutes operated by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada across the country. The Centre is located in St. John’s, and is recognized as a centre of excellence among the province’s agricultural communities. Current research is focused on crop production, integrated pest management/entomology, nutrient management, environmental science, water quality/treatment, molecular biology/plant propagation, plant pathology, plant eco-physiology and boreal-Northern agriculture. Students will be hired to work on field and lab projects related to entomology, crop production and/or pathology. St. John’s is a coastal city with a thriving music and food culture, and with access to many outdoor recreational activities (hiking, biking, boating, fishing, swimming, camping, climbing, etc.)

Positions to be filled: 4

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

Contact information for 3 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 diploma, Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD program in a recognized post-secondary academic institution in one of the following areas:

Agriculture
Agronomy
Biochemistry
Biology
Chemistry
Entomology
Environmental sciences
Geography
Rural community development
Microbiology
Mycology
Nutrition
Natural Resources
Plant Sciences
Plant pathology
Plant physiology
Plant ecology
Any program involving field work or practical laboratory work
Another relevant program (please provide detail to support this)

Degree equivalency

Experience* conducting field, laboratory and/or greenhouse experiments, and/or community development projects.

*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 laboratory or field project methodologies, tools, and theories.

Interactive communication
Teamwork
problem solving

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.

FOR ALL STUDENTS: Possession of a valid driver’s license

With appropriate safety precautions in place, able and willing to work in laboratory, greenhouse, and/or field environments for extended periods at a time.

Able and willing to work outdoors under various weather conditions.

Under normal safety precautions, able and willing to work with hazardous materials.

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.

Ability and willingness to work overtime including weekends.

Ability and willingness to travel on a daily basis to nearby field sites and on a weekly basis to some of the experimental sites which are two (2) to three (3) hours away from the base of operations to collect samples.

Ability and willingness to perform physical tasks such as crouching, bending, and lifting objects of a moderate weight.

Students hired for the entomology position must be comfortable handling live and dead insects

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.