MSc Student in Marine Contaminants - Research Affiliate Program

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

You must meet all essential qualifications in order to be appointed to the position. Some essential qualifications will be assessed through your application. It is your responsibility to provide appropriate examples that illustrate how you meet each qualification. Failing to do so could result in your application being rejected.

Duties

The Arctic and Aquatic Research Division (AARD) of Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO) is based at the Freshwater Institute in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The Division provides information and advice to support the management of Arctic fisheries resources, their habitat and Marine Protected Areas (MPA) in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, and on the Yukon North Slope. Successful management and conservation of these resources depends on acquiring, interpreting and sharing biological information, the processes affecting them and the ecosystem of which they are part.

Challenges of the position:
• Assess ecological processes of aquatic species through quantitative analysis of telemetry data, chemical contaminants, and diet biomarkers. Ecological processes could include diet, movement, and contaminant loads. Analyses will include coding in R and multivariate statistics. The expectation is that the student will be familiar with laboratory work that includes the use of gas chromatography and/or mass spectrometry.
• Defend research, internally in DFO and/or externally at meetings/conferences.
• Data analysis, interpretation, and publication in government reports and peer-reviewed journals.

Work environment

Candidates of the program will attend school and conduct lab work at McGill University and, if needed, with Fisheries and Oceans Canada’s Ontario & Prairie Regional office.

Candidates will also have contact with members of the Hunters and Trappers Organizations, commercial fishers, and non-governmental organizations in the presentation of information leading to advice for fisheries managers.

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

Contact information for 2 references.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

Currently enrolled or willing to enroll in a MSc program at the McGill University in Montreal

Degree equivalency

Experience in laboratory analysis, instrumental analysis, or aquatic field research experience
Experience in chemical tracers of feeding patterns and food web pathways and/or in contaminant bioaccumulation and spatiotemporal trends in aquatic species, food webs, and ecosystems
Experience conducting quantitative statistical analyses and a basic understanding of R programing

* In the context of student recruitment in the federal public service, experience can be acquired through studies, work experience or volunteer activities.

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

Various language requirements
English and some French Essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of aquatic ecology and contaminants

Dependability
Initiative

Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

Selection may be limited to members of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women

Information on employment equity

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance - 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.

Valid Health Canada Medical (as required by the position)
Maintaining your student status is a condition of employment. Once you have defended your thesis you are no longer eligible for the program.

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 www.jobs.gc.ca.

Preference

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