Research Assistant - Toxicity of bisphenols in snail embryos - 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

To be considered for the Research Affiliate Program (RAP), you must meet the following criteria:
- Be recognized as a full-time student by the post-secondary institution where you are currently registered (proof will be required).
- Have the minimum age required to work in the province or territory where the job is located.

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.

To be appointed to the position, you must have all the essential qualifications. Other qualifications may be taken into consideration upon selected the person appointed. Some of the qualifications (essential or otherwise) will be assessed using your job application. It is your responsibility to provide relevant examples demonstrating how you meet each requirement. Failure to do so will result in your application being rejected.

Duties

Under this RAP work term, the student will assist with toxicology research on the effects of BPA and replacement products in freshwater snail embryos, through the analysis of toxicity data on their effects on embryo development. Tasks include:
- Image analysis for determining the success of egg viability, hatching success, and 24-hour survival; for measurement of embryo size at various time points, and for assessing developmental endpoints and deformities;
- Data entry into Excel spreadsheets;
- Summarizing of results in graphs and/or tables;
- Calculation of LC50 and EC50 values for survival, viability, hatching success, and growth using R Studio;
- Writing of a report summarizing the research results;
- Contributing to a peer-review manuscript reporting on the effects of Bisphenol A and replacement products on freshwater snails.

The project is in collaboration with Professor Ryan Prosser in the School of Environmental Studies, University of Guelph.

Work environment

The work will be completed through a collaboration between Environment and Climate Change Canada (Burlington, Ontario) and the University of Guelph (Guelph, Ontario). The candidate will be required to follow Environment and Climate Change Canada's COVID-19 restrictions during the hours working under the Environment and Climate Change Canada's contract. Therefore, until those restrictions are lifted, the candidate will be required to telework up to 20 hours per week until restrictions at Environment and Climate Change Canada change to allow in-person participation in research activities.

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)

In order for your application to be considered, you must clearly describe how you meet the following requirements:

EDUCATION:
The student must be currently enrolled in a Master's program (MSc or MES) at the University of Guelph, with a specialization in environmental biology, environmental toxicology, or environmental studies. Preference will be given to students enrolled in a Master's program in the School of Environmental Sciences.

Degree equivalency

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE:
- Knowledge of basic toxicology principles as obtained through toxicology class or equivalent
- Knowledge of basic chemistry principles as obtained through undergraduate chemistry courses
- Knowledge of the Microsoft software suite (e.g., Excel, Word)
- Familiarity and/or willingness to learn new softwares (e.g., statistical analyses using R, image analysis with imageJ)

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Internet access at home for the duration of the employment (in order to telework)
- Ability to work remotely (data analysis)
- Ability to install and learn use of new software independently in a telework setting

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. The hiring organization will ask the student to fill out the proper security 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

- 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.
- 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.
- References may be contacted. Candidates who apply to this selection process should provide an email address that accepts email from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email).
- Students are entitled to participate in the selection process in the official language of their choice. Candidates are asked to indicate their preferred official language in their application.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled workforce that reflects the diversity of the Canadian population. Therefore, it promotes employment equity and encourages you to voluntarily indicate on your application if you are a woman, an Aboriginal person, a person with a disability or a member of a visible minority.

The Public Service of Canada is also committed to an inclusive and barrier-free selection process and work environment. If you are contacted about an employment opportunity or for exams, please notify the representative of the Public Service Commission or the organization in a timely manner of your needs for which accommodation must be taken to allow you a fair and equitable assessment. Information received regarding accommodation will be treated confidentially.

Preference

Preference will be given to Canadian citizens.

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