PhD Student in Animal Sciences - Research Affiliate Program

Update: Please note that the selection process has been amended to extend the closing date to August 22, 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

Carries out precision nutrition simulations by group, and in vivo experiments.
Drafts scientific protocols.
Collects and analyzes data from the animal phases.
Performs simulations.
Conducts statistical analysis.
Writes scientific papers and reports.

Work environment

The student will join a team working on the development of sustainable precision feeding for swine and the treatment of livestock effluents. The proposed project is to determine the efficiency of Canadian swine production in terms of its environmental footprint by conducting a life cycle assessment using the SimaPro program.™ The research focuses on how to reduce the environmental impact of hog production while being profitable for hog producers and considering animal welfare.

The Sherbrooke RDC, located at 2000 College Street, Sherbrooke, QC, is the only Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research centre exclusively dedicated to research in dairy and swine production. The multidisciplinary research teams at the centre study breeding, nutrition, functional genomics and agri-environmental processes, as well as behaviour and meat quality. This allows a scientific approach that is both fundamental and applied in order to study and understand problems specific to animal production and to develop applicable solutions.

AAFC is committed to diversity and inclusion. We have several networks dedicated to ensuring that the department continues to grow as an inclusive, accessible, respectful and diverse workplace. All employees are encouraged and welcomed to join the networks and participate in their activities and events.

• The Gender and Sexual Diversity Inclusiveness Network
• The Indigenous Network Circle
• The Managers' Community
• The Persons with Disabilities Network
• The Student Panel of Representatives for Orientation, Unity and Training
• The Visible Minorities Network
• The Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Network
• The Young Professional's Network

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 the date of appointment (August 29, 2022) in a PhD program from a recognized post-secondary academic institution with specialization in Animal Sciences or a related discipline.

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 conducting swine nutrition research projects.
Experience* in collecting and analyzing swine production data.
Experience* in managing, processing and analyzing data generated by in silico experiments (e.g., meta-analysis, modelling, life-cycle analysis).
Experience* in drafting scientific papers (e.g., abstracts, posters, articles).
Experience* in project coordination.
Experience* in developing diets for growing and finishing pigs.

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

English or French

Information on language requirements

Knowledge:
Knowledge of the concepts and principles of swine production.
Knowledge of precision feeding concepts and principles for swine.
Knowledge of food assessment.
Knowledge of massive data analysis.
Knowledge of the concepts and principles of systems biology.
Knowledge of programming and data processing software (e.g., Python, Excel macros (VBA), R, SAS or equivalent).

Competencies:
Adaptability
Initiative
Interactive communication
Planning and organization
Working independently
Working in a team

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

Possession of a valid driver’s licence or personal mobility to the extent normally associated with possession of a valid driver’s licence.
Ability and willingness to work overtime, as needed.
Ability and willingness to travel occasionally.
Ability and willingness to work with strong odours (slurry, manure, sludge).
Ability and willingness to work with laboratory animals and large farm animals.
Ability and willingness to work in a confined environment, comply with instructions and follow established procedures.
Ability and willingness to work with animal or environmental samples that may contain unknown pathogens.
Ability and willingness to collect and/or handle a range of samples (including, but not limited to, feces, tissue, body fluids, organs, meat, fruits, vegetables, environmental samples) from production systems, slaughterhouses, processing plants, field trials and clinical trials.
Ability and willingness to work with acids and strong bases.

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.

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.

Preference

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