MSc student - Research Affiliate Program

Update: Please note that the selection process has been amended to extend the closing date to June 8, 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

Carry out fundamental bacteriological techniques (e.g. culturing strains, media preparation, transformations).
Cloning, nucleic acid extraction from various matrices, PCR, qRT-PCR, Western immunoblots, enzyme kinetics, analysis of DNA sequencing data, knowledge of various antimicrobial susceptibility testing assays.
Independently troubleshoot and modify experimental protocols, read scientific literature to solve problems.
Must document, interpret, and report experimental data.

Work environment

Applicants will need to reside near London RDC to access labs, fields and facilities during the work period.

The London Research and Development Centre (London RDC) located in London, Ontario was established in 1951. It is one of the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's (AAFC) network of 20 research and development centres. The research site conducts research in the areas of air, water and soil, development of sustainable and profitable crop production systems for field crops and integrated pest management in the heart of one of the most intensive, diverse and productive agri-food regions in Canada.

The position described here is focused on antimicrobial resistance development and dissemination in agriculture. Modern medicine, veterinary, and agricultural practices are extensively dependent on the availability of antibiotics to prevent and treat bacterial infections in humans, animals, and plants. However, the overuse and misuse of these drugs for the last 70 years has led to the evolution and spread of disease-causing antibiotic resistant bacteria that threaten both human and animal health. Unfortunately, reducing antibiotic use in agriculture will likely not be sufficient for reducing the development and spread of antibiotic resistant bacteria. This is because antibiotic resistant bacteria can also be selected for and maintained by agents other than antibiotics. The use of metals, pesticides, and detergents, all of which are used extensively in agriculture, can and do select for drug resistant pathogens. This phenomenon is referred to as co-selection. The current project seeks to identify agriculture practices that promote the evolution, accumulation, and dissemination of antibiotic resistant bacteria. In doing so, we can then inform better management practices to reduce the accumulation and transmission of antibiotic resistant bacteria in agriculture so that our current arsenal of antibiotics used to treat humans and animal bacterial infections remain effective. Using a combination of microbiology, molecular biology, biochemical, and next generation sequencing techniques, the current project seeks to elucidate the role of a herbicidal compounds in selecting for drug resistant bacteria. Knowledge gained from this study will be foundational in informing Canadian and global policy on the use of herbicides in agriculture.

Students will have the opportunity to develop skills related to bacteriological (e.g. culturing strains, media preparation, transformations) and biochemical techniques including in vitro evolution experiments, cloning, nucleic acid extraction from various matrices, PCR, qRT-PCR, analysis of DNA/whole-genome sequencing data, knowledge of various antimicrobial susceptibility testing assays. The successful candidate should be able to independently troubleshoot and modify experimental protocols, read scientific literature to solve problems and must document, interpret, and report experimental data.

Intent of the process

The intent of this process is to fill 1 position for a MSc student.
The student will need to be physically working from the London office.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter "Please provide a short paragraph (up to 250 words) describing your research experience and/or your knowledge of microbiology based on experience/coursework."

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 July 1st, 2022 in a Master of Science (MSc) program in a recognized post-secondary academic institution with specialization in: microbiology, bacteriology or molecular biology.

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* working in a wet-laboratory setting in fields that include, but are not limited to, bacteriology, biochemistry, or molecular biology .
Experience* with next-generation sequencing data and open-source bioinformatics tools.

*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 in bacteriology, molecular biology, biochemistry or bioinformatics.
Knowledge of antimicrobial resistance.
Knowledge of various antimicrobial susceptibility testing assays.
Knowledge of documenting, interpreting, and reporting experimental data.

Competencies:
Problem Solving
Planning and organizing
Analytical and Creative Thinking
Initiative
Teamwork
Time Management

Abilities:
Ability to multitask.
Ability to work independently and in collaboration with others.
Ability to troubleshoot experiments.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

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.

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.