Student Biologist in Aquatic Ecology - 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.

In general, this project will fall under ACRD’s mandate in supporting environmental monitoring and the development of indicators of ecosystem health and environmental genomics, and tracking and predictive the impact of environmental contaminants on biological and functional diversity of aquatic ecosystems.

INFORMATION THAT YOU WILL NEED TO PROVIDE
Your curriculum vitae and a letter of interest. Applicants must demonstrate in their letter of interest how they meet the Essential Qualifications by indicating HOW (clearly explain your duties/responsibilities), WHEN and for HOW LONG (date and length of time in months or years), and WHERE (employer, school or organization and geographic location) this experience was acquired. Failure to provide the information as instructed will result in your application being rejected. You will not be solicited for incomplete or missing information (maximum of 3,000 words).

Contact details of 2 references.

Certificates of study, transcripts and list of courses that you have already taken, that you are currently taking or that you will take during the academic year.

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 may result in your application being rejected.

Duties

- Carry out research in order to develop environmental DNA (eDNA) as surrogates for biological monitoring (Environmental monitoring) freshwater mussels and fish for biodiversity protection and conservation, this project will contribute to Species At Risk and Wildlife Conservation (e.g. numerous mussels and fish species).
- Conduct research to compare the quantitative signal of eDNA abundance derived from targeted assays using qPCR against relative numbers of sequence reads for the same taxon using metabarcoding to assess congruence between methods concerning relative eDNA signal strength and sensitivity.
- Conduct a literature review of recent developments in the field.
- Participate in the field collections (pending travel approval).
- Preparation of samples for analysis.
- Ensure the maintenance and proper functioning of the laboratory and field campaigns, in accordance with good laboratory practices and standards of field operations.
- Ensure the smooth running of quality control operations.
- Perform statistical analysis of data using statistical programs.
- Interpret results and write scientific articles for publication.

The work will be conducted as part of the Masters of Science (MSc) research of the successful candidate.

Work environment

The work will be carried out in collaboration with the University of Guelph (Guelph, Ontario) and at the Environment and Climate Change Canada office in Burlington, Ontario, in the laboratories and at associated field collection sites under the direction and supervision of a scientific research team. The candidate will have to follow Environment and Climate Change Canada’s COVID-19 restrictions for laboratory and field work during the hours working under the Environment and Climate Change Canada’s contract. Therefore, until those restrictions are lifted, the retained candidate will be required to work up to 25 hours per week and will have to telework until our restrictions change to allow in-person participation in research activities.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter

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)

EDUCATION
The student must be currently enrolled in a Master's of Science program at the University of Guelph to expedite collaboration for the described research at which he or she is enrolled as having full-time student status.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE
- Experience in optimizing eDNA extraction efficiency for eDNA-based detection from water samples by in silico and in vitro extraction kits.
- Experience extracting DNA, analyzing DNA concentration using Qubit fluorometry, purifying DNA, and conducting probe-based qPCR.
- Experience in analyzing detection efficiency from molecular techniques (qPCR, ddPCR and metabarcoding) following three metabarcoding pipelines: MiFish, Geneious, and MetaWorks.
- Experience in following proper laboratory SOPs and techniques
- Experience in preparing literature reviews and datasets, analyzing data (e.g., R programming language).

With respect to the recruitment of students to the federal public service, please note that experience can be gained through education, 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
- Knowledge of molecular techniques qPCR, ddPCR and metabarcoding of sample processing.
- Knowledge of in silico and in vitro extraction kits.
- Knowledge of metabarcoding pipelines: MiFish, Geneious, and MetaWorks.

ABILITIES
- Ability to analyze data as well as synthesize and interpret results.
- Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

PERSONAL SUITABILITY
- Adaptability
- Concern for Safety
- Planning and Organizing Skills
- Problem Solving Skills
- Teamwork Skills

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

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- Willingness and ability to collect samples in the field during irregular work hours.
- Willingness and ability to travel within Canada.

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.
- With appropriate safety precautions in place, must be able and willing to work in field conditions and a laboratory environment.
- Hold a valid driver's license issued by a Canadian province or territory.
- Ability and willingness to work with hazardous materials using standard safety precautions.
- Ability to present results at conferences and extension meetings

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.