Graduate Student (MSc, Plant Science)

Graduate Student (MSc, Plant Science) - Research Affiliate Program

Reference number : AGR24J-170607-000017

Selection process number : 24-AGR-RAP-18B Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada - Science and Technology Branch

Agassiz (British Columbia)

The projected start date is September 3, 2024 with an end date of December 31, 2026 (or depending on the candidate's availability or needs).

It is expected that the student will work 24 hours per week with the possibility of part-time extension.

$24.62 to $30.99 per hour (Varies as per the level of education and experience.)

For further information on the organization, please visit

For further information on the Research Affiliate Program (RAP), please visit

Closing date : 31 July 2024 - 23 : 59, Pacific Time

Who can apply : Persons residing in Canada and Canadian citizens, permanent residents and international students* residing abroad.

International students, with valid visas permitting work in Canada, will only be considered when no eligible, qualified Canadian citizens or permanent residents are available for the position.

To be considered for Research Affiliate Program (RAP) work opportunities, all candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria by the date of appointment :

Be recognized as having full-time student status at an accredited Canadian post-secondary academic institution (this includes students with a disability deemed to have full-time status).

Individuals pending approval of acceptance or in the process of submitting applications are encouraged to apply, as proof of enrollment will only be required prior to the start date.

• Be enrolled in an academic program that requires research as part of the curriculum.
• Be at least the minimum age to work in the province or territory where the job is located.

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.

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 student will be involved in a study focused on understanding the hormonal regulation of seedling establishment, as well as the development and optimization of gene transformation technologies for CRISPR gene editing in legumes.

This work will encompass field, greenhouse, and laboratory activities, including evaluating plant responses to growth regulators, initiating and maintaining plant tissue cultures, and conducting various molecular assays such as PCR and qPCR.

The student will contribute to developing, adapting, and implementing various methodologies and experiments. They will gather and analyze data using statistics and bioinformatics, and document the results in the form of an MSc thesis, journal articles, and conference proceedings.

Additionally, they will provide assistance with training and supervising summer students, manage laboratory operations, and be expected to work as part of a research team, interacting effectively with project collaborators.

Work environment

The majority of research activities will be conducted at Agri-Food Canada’s Agassiz Research and Development Centre in Agassiz, BC, a research facility with nearly 20 research teams representing diverse fields of agriculture.

All coursework will be completed at Simon Fraser University, a major public university located in Greater Vancouver. The chosen candidate will work closely with researchers specializing in plant physiology, agronomy, and plant functional genomics.

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.

A covering letter "Please explain in about 400-700 words why you are interested in this position and how your educational background and relevant experience will help you deliver the needs of this position."

Contact information for 3 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 program in a recognized post-secondary institution with a specialization in plant science or related discipline relevant to the project scope.

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.

The student must meet the eligibility requirement to enroll at Simon Fraser University.

Experience* :

Experience* in performing research in molecular biology or plant tissue culture, or an educational background in one of these areas.

In the context of student recruitment in the Federal Public Service, the 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)

English essential

Knowledge :

Knowledge in plant physiology and molecular biology.

Competencies : Adaptability

Adaptability

Teamwork

Planning and Organizing

Problem solving

Abilities :

Ability to work with various scientific instruments including microscopes and PCR machines for plant analyses and molecular biology.

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.

Operational Requirements :

Ability to conduct treatments and data collections in field and greenhouse conditions and analyze data.

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.

Applications submitted by email will not be accepted. You must apply online through .

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.