M.Sc. and Ph.D. students in agro-ecology and climate change mitigation through Living Labs - Research Affiliate Program

Update: Please note that the selection process has been amended to extend the closing date to November 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

Position to be filled: Various positions.

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

We are building two agricultural Living Labs, funded by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Agricultural Climate Solutions (ACS) program. One Living Lab involves almost 60 crop and livestock farms distributed across the Peace Region of northern British Columbia and Alberta. The other LL involves a diversity of farming systems; from the extensive agricultural systems characteristic of central BC to the more intensive agricultural systems characteristic of the Okanagan and lower Fraser Valleys. Over the next 5-8 years, we will be working with a network of committed and innovative farmers, producer groups, non-profit organizations and academics to develop and adopt beneficial practices that help mitigate climate change, protect our environment, enhance farmers’ well-being, and promote knowledge sharing within and outside the farming community.

The Living Lab is a ‘transdisciplinary’ approach to complex problems that engages agricultural sciences, environmental sciences, geography, hydrology, system modelling, remote sensing, food science, animal science, engineering, socio-economics and other disciplines. There are several exciting research opportunities for motivated and qualified M.Sc. or Ph.D. candidates.

We are recruiting talented, imaginative and enthusiastic candidates who are passionate about agriculture and the environment, and interested in contributing to these novel agricultural Living Lab experiments. If this opportunity excites you, talk to us about joining our team!

Work environment

The Beaverlodge Research Farm (BRF) in AB, and the Agassiz Research and Development Centre (ARDC) and Summerland Research and Development Centre (Su-RDC) in BC are part of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) national network of Research Facilites. AAFC develops and disseminates information, research and technology, and policies and programs to achieve security of the food system, health of the environment and innovation for growth, to government, industry and the public. This work is supported by researchers and scientists working at 20 sites across Canada carrying out mission-driven research and is in collaboration with numerous other national and international stakeholders.

This opportunity is a Living Lab, transdisciplinary-style project funded through AAFC’s Agricultural Climate Solutions Program (ACS). For more information about the Agricultural Climate Solutions (ACS) program and Living Labs, please visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/agriculture-agri-food/news/2021/03/accelerating-the-adoption-of-climate-smart-best-practices-in-agriculture.html.

Time will be divided between coursework, writing, and participation in educational activities at a recognised Canadian academic institution, and research work conducted in the laboratory and field in the Peace Region of northern Alberta and British Columbia (based out of BRF for the Peace Region Living Lab) or in British Columbia (based out of Ag-RDC or Su-RDC for the British Columbia Living Lab). Some prerequisite safety training will be provided.

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: Number to be determined

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 in a Master’s or PhD program in a recognized post-secondary academic institution with specialization in: biology, plant science/agronomy, environmental science, climate change science, soil science, geography, system modeling or other related area of study.

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 the field, including establishing experiments and protocols, carrying out field trials with minimal supervision, including collecting soil, water, plant tissue, air, etc., samples.
Experience* compiling and processing data; conducting statistical analysis using tools such as Excel, R , SAS, SPSS, Sigmaplot, etc.
Experience* in project management and reporting.
Experience* reviewing scientific literature, and writing scientific reports and manuscripts.

*In the context of student recruitment in the Federal Public Service, the experience can be acquired through the studies, work experience, or volunteer activities.

If you possess any of the following, your application must also clearly explain how you meet it (other qualifications)

•Ability & willingness to work flexible working hours in difficult weather conditions.
•Ability & willingness to carry heavy (up to 20 kg) loads over uneven terrain.
•Ability & willingness to perform duties that require frequent bending and lifting from ground level.
•Ability & willingness to work in field, greenhouse and analytical lab settings.
•Ability & willingness to work on privately-owned land, following all protocols.
•Ability & willingness to control allergies through the use of personal protective equipment.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge:
Knowledge of science around climate mitigation in production agriculture.
Knowledge of basic soil processes, crop and field management or plant physiology.
Knowledge of statistical principles such as random effects, non-normal distributions, non-parametric methods, etc.

Competencies:
Effective Communication (oral & writing) with the public and scientific experts.
Prepare and Give Effective Presentations.
Planning and Organizing.
Teamwork.
Initiative.

Abilities:
Ability to work independently.

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.

Must have a valid class 5 driver’s license (not an ‘N’ or and ‘L’).

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.