Master student in Agriculture - Research Affiliate Program

Update: Please note that the selection process has been amended to extend the closing date to December 30, 2021 - 23:59, Pacific Time

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

In response to environmental and social pressures, the use of local and low-cost organic amendments has emerged as an alternative to more conventional practices in agriculture and could be a sustainable approach to rapidly improve soil health.

In collaboration with the soil health research team at the Kentville Research Development Center (RDC) and Dr. Derek Lynch, professor at the Faculty of Agriculture at Dalhousie University, the student will conduct research leading to the writing of a Master’s thesis on the effect of the application of wood residues and dairy manure on improving health and fertility of agricultural soils. The incumbent will be responsible for executing the study including field and/or incubation studies at Kentville Research Development Center. More precisely, this will consist of a literature review, the collection of soil samples and their analysis in the laboratory. This will be followed by the statistical analysis and interpretation of the results. The candidate will be involved in writing scientific manuscripts and in presenting the findings at conference/meetings. In addition, the applicant will need to fulfill any requirements to complete MSc at the Faculty of Agriculture – Dalhousie University located at Truro (Nova Scotia) including taking courses, writing and defending the Master’s thesis.

Work environment

The Kentville Research and Development Center (RDC) was established in 1911. Located in the west portion of the province of Nova Scotia, the Kentville RDC is a multidisciplinary research institution and supports innovative research, development, technology and knowledge transfer activities related to the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's (AAFC) Science Sector Strategies such as horticulture, agri-food, agro-ecosystem resilience, forages and beef, biodiversity and bio resources.

The successful candidate will work in laboratory, and/or field environments. Laboratory work will require some prerequisite safety training.

Day-to-day hands-on research work will be conducted at the Kentville RDC, with coursework and other academic activities completed at the Faculty of Agriculture - University of Dalhousie, Truro (Nova Scotia).

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)

Education:
Currently enrolled or eligible to enroll in a Master’s program at the Faculty of Agriculture - University of Dalhousie, Truro (Nova Scotia) with a specialization in agriculture.

Degree equivalency

Experience:
Experience* in laboratory work.
Experience* in collecting, compiling and analyzing experimental data.

*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:
Knowledge of sustainable approaches to soil health in agriculture.
Knowledge in soil science.

Competencies:
Teamwork
Planning and Organization
Initiative
Problem Solving

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

Agriculture and Agri-food Canada recognizes that the diversity of its employee population contributes to its strength and integrity. We are committed to achieving employment equity and developing a highly capable workforce that is representative of Canadian Society. We encourage women (especially in non-traditional occupations), Indigenous peoples (Aboriginal peoples), persons with disabilities, and members of visible minority groups to apply and declare themselves as part of one or more of the Employment Equity groups as selection may be limited to candidates belonging to one or more of the groups.

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.

All employees of the core public administration are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and attest to their vaccination status unless accommodated based on a medical contraindication, religion, or another prohibited ground for discrimination as defined under the Canadian Human Rights Act.

Possession of a valid driver’s license or personal mobility to the extent normally associated with the possession of a valid driver’s license.
Ability and willingness to work in laboratory, greenhouse, and/or field environments for extended periods at a time.
Ability and willingness to travel (e.g.: sample collection and record data).
Ability and willingness to work in harsh environments (outdoors, cold, hot, dust and noise).
With proper safety precautions in place, ability and willingness to work with hazardous laboratory chemicals and equipment.
Ability and willingness to use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and control of allergies through necessary means, and this should not prevent the performance of the duties.

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 https://www.canada.ca/en/services/jobs/opportunities/government.html.

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.

On October 6, 2021, the Government of Canada announced details of its plans to require vaccination across the federal public service. The details can be found on this site: https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/news/2021/10/backgrounder-covid-19-vaccine-requirement-for-the-federal-workforce.html

As per the new Policy on COVID-19 Vaccination for the Core Public Administration Including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, federal public servants in the Core Public Administration and members of the RCMP must attest to their vaccination status. The requirement for employees to be fully vaccinated applies whether they are teleworking, working remotely or working on-site. This is a condition of employment and it applies to indeterminate (permanent), determinate (term), casual, and student hiring. Should you reach the point in the selection process where it is necessary to verify terms and conditions of employment then the hiring manager or a human resources representative will contact you in order to complete an attestation. The Policy can be found on this site: https://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pol/doc-eng.aspx?id=32694

Preference

Preference will be given to Canadian citizens.

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