Graduate Student - 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

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 emails from unknown users (some email systems block these types of emails).

Duties

The present work intends to utilize skin and blood collected during cattle slaughter in the production of biodegradable packaging film for fresh meat packaging. Anthocyanins extracted from berries will be used as smart and active indicators in the packaging films. Collagen peptides from these by-products with antioxidant and antimicrobial activities will also be explored in the active packaging films.

The potential of using these low value streams from the food/meat industry to fabricate smart biodegradable packaging materials that will protect, contain, inform and transmit information about the packaged meat and meat products could be a viable strategy that aligns strongly with the concept of circular economy, and also improve food packaging sustainability. More importantly, these bio-based compounds and indicators have the potential to replace the non-renewable, non-biodegradable synthetic materials that are currently being used in the industry. However, no study has compared the efficacy of these bio-based indicators or compounds in a packaging material used for a model food system.

The successful candidate will be working in all aspects of this project leading to a PhD degree.

Work environment

The successful candidate will participate in multidisciplinary projects related to various aspects of meat co-product value-addition, including extraction of polymers and pigments in the formulation of packaging films. Responsibilities will include working in research laboratory, commercial abattoirs and meat processing plants where handling raw meat from different species (e.g. beef, pork, etc.) will be part of the operational requirements. The role will also include some off-site data collection, which may require some travels. Also, the individual may be asked to work on weekends from time to time, and early mornings once or twice a week. Part of the responsibilities will include method development, sample collection and storage, writing data summary reports, and contributing to the preparation of research reports. Furthermore, the individual will sometimes be working independently and alone on projects. The successful candidate may be working in coordination with several other research teams, and will be required to maintain efficient and professional communication with co-workers.

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 in a PhD program in a recognized post-secondary institution with a specialization in Food Science and Technology, Food Chemistry, Food/Chemical Engineering, Polymer/Material Sciences or related disciplines.

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 the student must be returning to full-time studies for your next academic term.

Degree equivalency

Experience:
Experience* working in a food/chemical or material laboratory environment.
Experience* conducting scientific research.
Experience* with food packaging materials and their interactions with food.
Experience* in writing and publishing scientific manuscripts.

*In the context of student recruitment in the federal public service, experience can be acquired through studies, work experience and 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 statistical analysis.
Knowledge of the interactions of packaging materials with food.
Knowledge of meat and food chemistry theories and analyses.

Competencies :
Communication
Planning and Organizing
Problem Solving
Teamwork

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

Operational Requirements:
Ability and willingness to travel.
Ability and willingness to work overtime including evenings and weekends.
Ability and willingness to work flexible hours.
Ability and willingness to control allergies, through the use of personal protective equipment and/or medication and this must not impinge upon the duties to be performed.
Ability and willingness to work in a laboratory, abattoir and processing floor.
Ability and willingness to work with hazardous materials.
Ability and willingness to work under challenging conditions (i.e. temperature extremes in abattoir and coolers, equipment noise and slippery floors in the processing areas, and malodorous conditions in the offal collection area).

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 online through https://www.canada.ca/en/services/jobs/opportunities/government.html.

Persons with disabilities preventing them from applying online 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.