Master’s Student in Plant Science - Research Affiliate Program

Update: Please note that the selection process has been amended to extend the closing date to December 10, 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

The candidate will conduct field, lab and greenhouse work at the Lethbridge Research and Development Centre under the joint supervision of Dr. Surya Acharya and Dr. Hari Poudel (Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada). The student will study breeding methods to enhance lipid content in vegetative tissues of leguminous forages species.

• Experiment setup and execution.
• Collection of samples and laboratory analysis.
• Quality assessments using wet chemistry and NIR based techniques (e.g., lipids, protein and fiber content).
• Maintain accurate records of data, data analysis and write manuscripts.
• Statistical analysis of big data sets including genomics data.

Work environment

The Lethbridge Research and Development Centre (Lethbridge RDC) was established in 1906 in Lethbridge, Alberta. It is one the largest facilities within Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's (AAFC) network of 20 research and development centers. The Lethbridge RDC leads multidisciplinary research on forages and beef, agronomy, breeding, genetics, pathology and sustainable production systems under dryland and irrigated conditions associated with farming in a semi-arid climate.

The successful candidate will be required to enroll or eligible to enroll in a Masters` Science program with the department of Biological Sciences at University of Lethbridge or Department of Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Science at University of Alberta or Department of Plant Sciences at University of Saskatchewan.
The candidate will either carry out coursework remotely (from Lethbridge, AB) or spend one semester physically at the University to complete the course work (depending upon University policies).

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter "Explain to us why you want to work as a Research Affiliate student at the Lethbridge Research Centre (maximum one page)"

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)

Education:
Currently enrolled or eligible to enroll in a Master’s program at the University of Lethbridge or the University of Alberta or the University of Saskatchewan with specialization in: Plant Science or Agronomy or Plant Breeding and Genetics or Bimolecular science.

Degree equivalency

*In the context of student recruitment in the Federal Public Service, the experience can be acquired through the studies, work experience, or volunteer activities.

Experience:
Experience* in agriculture based field research.
Experience* in a molecular laboratory such as DNA extraction and PCR.

*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 plant breeding and genetics.
Knowledge of hybridization of plants.
Knowledge of experimental designs and statistical analysis.

Competencies:
Adaptability
Initiative
Judgement
Teamwork
Interactive Communication

Abilities:
Ability to write and to communicate scientific results effectively to diverse audiences.

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 or ability to acquire valid driver's license in the province of Alberta.
Ability and willingness to work in field, greenhouse and molecular laboratory with limited supervision.
Ability and willingness to work under various environmental and weather conditions.
Ability and willingness to work with hazardous materials.
Ability and willingness to work with chemicals.
Ability and willingness to work flexible hours.

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.