PhD student in Agri-Environmental Modeling - Research Affiliate Program

Important messages

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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 work would focus on improving and applying a full farm system model “Canada DNDC” to investigate management practices and new technologies which may mitigate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from entire farms. This is a complex model which includes the simulation of nutrient cycling throughout the entire farm system including soils, livestock and farm facilities such as manure holding tanks. GHG emissions will include methane, nitrous oxide and carbon dioxide (net exchange from farm facilities and soil carbon sequestration). Analysis and understanding of large datasets collected from farms and long term field trials will be required. The candidate will be required to learn and apply the DNDC model in stages of model calibration, validation, and application and will have an opportunity to work with AAFC staff to improve the model. Management practices and technologies which may reduce GHG emissions from farms under current and future climates will be investigated. The candidate will be expected to write reports and present results to AAFC scientists.

Work environment

Work will be done under the supervision of scientists at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa Research and Development Centre. The work will be focused on accessing databases and using a complex computer model thus the student will be required to work long hours using computers. Progress updates will be expected.

Intent of the process

The intent of this process is to fill 1 position for a PhD student in Agri-Environmental Modeling. However, depending on the availability of funds, up to 2 positions may be staffed based on future needs.

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 will be enrolled by September 1, 2022 in a PhD program in a recognize post-secondary academic institution with specialization in: Agricultural engineering or Bioresource engineering.

Note: Must be currently recognized as having full-time student status in the academic institution in which you are presently enrolled, pending approval of acceptance or in the process of submitting your application. (Proof of enrollment will be required prior to start date) and must be returning to full-time studies for your next academic term.

Degree equivalency

Experience:
Experience* in agroecosystem modelling using a process-based model.
Experience* in using geographic information systems or large databases to extract soil and crop data needed for regional modelling.

*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 agricultural systems such as crop rotations and fertilizer/manure additions.
Knowledge of agricultural model calibration and validation techniques.

Competencies:
Teamwork
Planning and organization
Interactive communications
Initiative
Analytical thinking

Abilities:
Ability to use complex process-based agricultural computer models.
Ability to work with large datasets and analyze results.
Ability to use statistical analysis.
Ability to develop and improve modeling methodologies.
Ability to present results to AAFC scientists through written reports and video conferencing.

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.

Ability and willingness to work long hours using computers (analysis of datasets and computer modelling).

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.