M.Sc. Student, Soil Sciences - Research Affiliate Program

Update: Please note that the selection process has been amended to extend the closing date to December 9, 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

This project will be a collaboration between the Nutrient Dynamics and Soil Health Laboratory team at AAFC, Fredericton Research and Development and the University of Manitoba (UofM). The student will work out of the UofM campus and will need to fulfill any requirements to complete Masters in Science, including taking courses, and writing and defending their thesis.

The team is seeking a motivated M.Sc. student interested in investigating nitrogen (N) cycles, N use efficiency and soil health under different rain fed cropping systems in Atlantic Canada. The research will focus on fluxes of nitrous oxide (N2O) emission, in-season N dynamics, N mineralization and N availability for crop uptake. The incumbent will be responsible for executing the study in the field, collection of gas samples for N2O and carbon dioxide (CO2) from vented static chambers and the analysis of gas samples using a gas chromatograph, collection of soil samples in the field and measurement of soil health indicators. The candidate will be involved in writing scientific manuscripts and in presenting the findings at national conferences/meetings. The successful applicant will work in an interdisciplinary team involving soil scientists, a landscape and soil carbon scientist, a soil microbiology scientist, and an integrative cropping systems scientist working together to improve nutrient use efficiency in rain fed agricultural systems in Atlantic Canada.

Work environment

Located in the west-central portion of the province of New Brunswick along the Saint John River, the AAFC Fredericton Research and Development Center (FRDC) is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science in agriculture. The FRDC was established in 1912 and current research consists in developing and evaluating environmentally sustainable ways to farm lands for crop production in New Brunswick.

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

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

Contact information for 2 references.

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 Manitoba with specialization in Soil Science.

Degree equivalency

Experience:
Experience* in laboratory analyses of soil and plant samples, and organic amendments.
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 techniques that can be applied to the study of crops, infield, laboratory and controlled environmental trials.
Knowledge of nutrients.
Knowledge of soil chemical and microbiological procedures.
Knowledge of statistical analyses.
Knowledge of instrumentation.

Competencies:
Interactive communication
Planning and Organization
Problem Solving
Teamwork
Initiative

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 travel to Fredericton, New Brunswick.
Ability and willingness to work in laboratory and/or field environments for extended periods at a time.
Ability and willingness to control allergies, through the use of personal protective equipment and/or medication without impinging on the duties to be performed.
Ability and willingness to work with hazardous chemicals using appropriate safety equipment after receiving suitable training.

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.