Master’s Project in Ecology of Aquatic Ecosystems, Ottawa River, Outaouais Region - Quebec - 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, you must meet the following criteria:
- Be recognized as a full-time student by the post-secondary institution you are currently enrolled in (proof will be required).
- Be of the minimum age required to work in the province or territory where the job is located.
*Student must be currently enrolled or eligible to enroll in the Masters program in Aquatic Systems Ecology (proof of enrollment will be required prior to the start of the internship)
A total scholarship of $42,000 is available for the project period until March 2024. Full-time (June 2022 to August 2022) and part-time summer employment opportunity during the two-year study period (September 2022 to March 2024). Possible extension after March 2024. The $42,000 scholarship will be divided into several installments according to the terms established between the employer and the student.

A cover letter is required, and in their application, applicants must clearly demonstrate how they meet the education and experience criteria presented in the essential qualifications. Applicants should use each essential education and experience criteria as a header, then write one or two paragraphs for each criteria demonstrating how they meet the education and experience requirements. The resume can be used as a secondary source to validate the information described in the cover letter.

Duties

PROJECT TITLE
Characterization of the Lake Sturgeon-Hickorynut mussel relationship, including associated fish and mussel communities and their habitats.

PROJECT OVERVIEW
The endangered Hickorynut mussel (Obovaria olivaria) has a Canadian range restricted to parts of the Great Lakes and St. Lawrence River drainages. Despite efforts since the 2000s to sample and characterize sites in the St. Lawrence Lowlands Priority Area (Quebec) that potentially support sensitive species of freshwater mussels like the Hickorynut, many knowledge gaps remain. These include the current distribution of these species and their use of deep-water habitat, the impacts of invasive species and water level variations on their habitat, and the role of the Lake Sturgeon (Acipenser fulvescens) in the Hickorynut’s life cycle. A better understanding of species interactions and habitat preferences will strengthen the protection of these species at risk and their habitats.

This project will use an innovative multidisciplinary approach to identify and locate the critical habitats of freshwater mussel species at risk via a multi-institution/agency collaboration that includes scientists from the Department of Fisheries and Oceans (DFO), Canadian Museum of Nature (CMN), Ministère des Forêts, de la Faune et des Parcs (MFFP), and the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry (OMNRF).

OBJECTIVE
The objective of the project is to identify and describe the detailed habitat preferences of the Hickorynut and Lake Sturgeon, including the associated fish and mussel communities, and determine the fish host(s) for the mussel species in regions of the Ottawa and St. Lawrence River watersheds.

EXPERIMENTAL APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY
The research team will conduct the following surveys at “hot spot” locations of preferred Hickorynut habitat, in any of which the MSc candidate may be a participant.

Scuba diving and/or snorkeling will be used to sample and characterize, both qualitatively and quantitatively, the freshwater mussel communities at these sites.

Fish communities in the Hickorynut’s preferred habitats will be studied at select sites using data from historical surveys (provincial and federal inventories, museum records) and through additional targeted fish surveys. In addition, physico-chemical variables will be measured.

Biotic assemblage and multi-variable environmental abiotic data will be combined and statistically analysed.

Fish gills will be examined for the presence of mussel glochidia (larvae) and glochidia species identifications will be confirmed by a combination of morphological and genetic analyses.

There is also the possibility of using museum collections (e.g., CMN), and specimens from provincial (MFFP, OMNRF), federal (DFO), and commercial catches to further investigate the potential for Lake Sturgeon and/or other fish species as hosts for Hickorynut and other mussel species.

***Please see the rest of the DUTIES in the WORK ENVIRONMENT section***

Work environment

BENEFITS OF PROPOSED RESEARCH
The project will provide critical ecological data about an endangered unionid mussel in the St. Lawrence Lowlands. It aims to be the first confirmation in the wild of a link between the Hickorynut and the Lake Sturgeon as its fish host. Furthermore, the characterization of the fish and mussel communities and the habitat in regions where apparently healthy populations of both the SARA-listed Hickorynut and Threatened (COSEWIC) Lake Sturgeon will provide important information for the development of recovery and management strategies.

Intent of the process

We are looking for a candidate who will be responsible for the full implementation of the project. The candidate must be motivated to conduct fieldwork (if relevant), ensure taxonomic identification of fishes and mussels, specimen processing at the CMN, microscopy and DNA analysis (if relevant), and community structure analyses and comparisons.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter "750 words maximum"

Contact information for 2 references.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

A degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in biology.

Currently enrolled or eligible to enroll in the Masters program in Aquatic Systems Ecology.

Degree equivalency

Good writing skills.

Interest in aquatic ecology.

Strong organizational and rigorous reasoning skills.

Completion of a Transport Canada-approved Boating Safety Course.

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

English or French

Information on language requirements

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

Swimming experience and/or swimming certification.

Snorkeling experience and/or SCUBA diving certification and experience.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Willingness to work in remote locations.

Willingness to work evenings and occasional weekends.

Maintaining student status is a condition of employment. Once the candidate has defended his thesis, he will no longer be eligible for the program.

All Core Public Administration employees are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and attest to their vaccination status, unless accommodation is made due to a medical contraindication , religion or other prohibited ground of discrimination as defined by the Canadian Human Rights Act.

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

Reference checks may be sought.

An interview may be administered.

You must provide proof of your education credentials.

Candidates with foreign credentials must provide proof of their equivalency in Canada. For more information, see the Canadian Information Center for International Credentials at http://www.cicic.ca/indexe.stm.

Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language(s) of their choice.

We will communicate with applicants by email. Please indicate in your job application the e-mail address you wish to use for this recruitment. You are responsible for checking your email account regularly.

All job applications should be submitted using the www.canada.ca/government-jobs website. No applications will be accepted by email.

Preference

Preference will be given to Canadian citizens.

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