Research Affiliate Student / Summer Student - Research Affiliate Program

Update: Please note that the selection process has been amended to extend the closing date to March 16, 2022 - 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

Students will be required to work outside most days, sometimes in inclement weather (e.g. cold/hot temperatures, rain, wind), while wearing appropriate protective equipment (e.g. rain gear). Several projects require bending for extensive periods (e.g. taking soil samples, collecting insects, weeding), and lifting (e.g. soil pots, greenhouse plastic).

Note that field and lab-based work may be impacted by the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. At all times, regional public health guidance as well as AAFC’s policies and protocols regarding the pandemic will be followed. In the event that the anticipated duties are temporarily or permanently suspended due to the pandemic, students may be assigned alternative tasks that can be completed from home, such as data entry or literature review.

Work environment

The St. John’s Research and Development Centre is one of a number of research institutes operated by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada across the country. The Centre is located in St. John’s, and is recognized as a centre of excellence among the province’s agricultural communities. Current research is focused on crop production, integrated pest management/entomology, nutrient management, environmental science, water quality/treatment, molecular biology/plant propagation, plant pathology, plant eco-physiology and boreal-Northern agriculture. Students will be hired to work on field and lab projects related to soil sciences, crop production and/or pathology. St. John’s is a coastal city with a thriving music and food culture, and with access to many outdoor recreational activities (hiking, biking, boating, fishing, swimming, camping, climbing, etc.)

Intent of the process

There are 8 positions available in the areas of northern agriculture, entomology, pest management, forage research and soil science.

Confirmed funding for 1 student for “Vegetable Production in the North” (St. John’s):
One student will work under AAFC staff in the field and lab to assist with the setup, maintenance, data collection/entry and sample collection on a field vegetable production project in St. John’s; term from early May to late August; 14-16 weeks (dates potentially flexible).


Confirmed funding for 1 student for “True Potato seed methods for the North” (St. John’s)
One student will work with AAFC staff to assist with soil sampling, small plot staking and fertilization, preparing soil and air temperature sensor installation under plastic and between plastic and low tunnels, potato transplanting into crop physiology research plots, crop measurements, harvest, and plant pathology research. Term from early May to late August; 14-16 weeks (dates potentially flexible).

Confirmed funding for 1 student for “Perennial Forage Research” (St. John’s)
One student will work with AAFC staff to assist with plot staking, collection of plant and soil samples in the field, drying and grinding plant samples, and assessing botanical composition of forage samples. Please note, this may be a full or part-time position. The student will be hired for full-time but may spend part of their time assisting on other projects as needed. Term from early May to late August; 14-16 weeks (dates potentially flexible)

Confirmed funding for 1 student for “Sustainable Pest Management Research” (St. John’s)
One student will work with AAFC’s Pest Management Centre staff on projects to develop alternative pest management solutions and pesticide risk mitigation tools. Duties will include assistance with field work (plot set up, data collection harvest), soil and water sample collection and preparation, data collection and entry; term from early May to late August; 14-16 weeks (dates potentially flexible).

Potential funding for 2 student for “Living Labs in Newfoundland and Labrador” (St. John’s)
Two students will work with AAFC staff to collect an extensive network of soil samples in St. John’s, and may have the opportunity to participate in a short-term research trip to Happy Valley-Goose Bay to collect additional samples. The students will utilize GPS and GIS-based methods to collect soil samples, and may assist with drying, processing, and analyzing samples. Term from early May to late August; 14-16 weeks (dates potentially flexible).

Potential funding for 2 students in Entomology (St. John’s).
The summer students will assist the AAFC entomology team with all activities related to two main research projects. These projects are “Biocontrol of spider mites in containerized strawberry cropping systems” and “Biopesticides to manage Delia spp. in brassica vegetables”. Duties include working with AAFC staff on quantifying spider mites and predatory mites on strawberry leaves using microscopy, rearing of Delia spp. and helping with other aspects of the experiments. Students may also be involved with collection, preparation, identification and labelling of various targeted groups of insects to add to our AAFC insect reference collection. The student will have the opportunity to work with other science teams on non-entomology projects as well. Term from early May to late August; 14-16 weeks (dates potentially flexible).

Positions to be filled: 8

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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 must be enrolled by the date of the appointment in a diploma((College / CEGE/Pre-University), Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD program in a recognized post-secondary academic institution in one of the following areas:

Agriculture
Agronomy
Biochemistry
Biology
Chemistry
Entomology
Environmental sciences
Geography
Rural community development
Microbiology
Mycology
Nutrition
Natural Resources
Plant Sciences
Plant pathology
Plant physiology
Plant ecology
Soil science
Any program involving field work or practical laboratory work
Another relevant program (please provide detail to support this)

Note: Must be currently recognized as having full-time student status in the academic institution in which you are presently enrolled and must be returning to full-time studies for your next academic term.

Degree equivalency

Experience :
Experience* conducting field, laboratory or greenhouse experiments, and/or community development projects.

*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 lab or field project methodologies, tools, and theories.

Competencies:
Interactive communication
Teamwork
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

With appropriate safety precautions in place, able and willing to work in laboratory, greenhouse, and/or field environments for extended periods at a time.

Able and willing to work outdoors under various weather conditions.

Under normal safety precautions, able and willing to work with hazardous materials.

Known allergies must be controlled through the use of personal protective equipment and/or medication and must not impinge upon the duties to be performed.

Ability and willingness to work overtime including weekends.

Ability and willingness to travel on a daily basis to nearby field sites and on a weekly basis to some of the experimental sites which are two (2) to three (3) hours away from the base of operations to collect samples.

Ability and willingness to perform physical tasks such as crouching, bending, and lifting objects of a moderate weight.

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.