Science Research Assistant Program

Reference number: AGR08J-008969-000208

Number of Jobs Being Offered: Various

Organization: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

The organization will make the majority of requests for referrals by:

Ongoing, year round

Job Description: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) is looking for students with backgrounds in science. Through our Post-secondary Co-op/Internship Programs, summer employment opportunities, and graduate student projects, AAFC provides valuable work experience to students while conducting research to support Canada's agriculture and agri-food sector.

Successful persons will conduct science-based research in one of AAFC's 19 research facilities located across Canada. Advances in agri-food science and technology are accelerating the development of a wide range of new industrial, health, and nutritional products obtained from plants, animals, and micro-organisms. For example, we conduct research on the cancer-fighting antioxidant content of fresh fruit and vegetables. We explore new ways to break down what we now grow as food into components for a wide variety of new applications: flax as building insulation or oat extracts in high-value skin lotion and shampoo. We develop new cultivars and technologies; deliver technologies in land resource conservation and develop and transfer new technologies for crop, livestock, and poultry production.

AAFC research provides the agriculture and agri-food industry with important information, research, and technology that helps achieve security of the food system, health of the environment, and innovation for growth to strengthen the Canadian economy.

Work location:

AAFC has research facilities located in every province in Canada. Please visit the AAFC Web Site to find out more information about the research conducted at each location.

Hourly rates of pay: To be determined based on Treasury Board Secretariat student rates of pay.

Duration of employment: Full-time May - August
Part-time throughout the academic year

Academic Level: Post-secondary

Undergraduate:
Applicants must have completed at least six (6) semesters of academic studies (science-based) in a four-year program.


Graduate Research:
Students must be enrolled in a Master's or Doctorate program where the academic program requires supervised laboratory or field research as a condition of graduation in agri-food science and technology or a related field.
***The specialization must be pertinent with research being conducted at AAFC.***

Specializations:

Agri-food science and technology or a related science field.

Skills:

Various

Language Requirement:

Various language requirements and/or profiles

Information to be provided:
You must provide the following information when submitting your application:

• Your résumé.

Additional Information and Conditions of Employment:

• 1. Applicants must have an academic record (grade point average) of 80% or better to be considered.
  2. Graduate Research: Screened in candidates must also submit the following documentation:
  - a brief description of their research project/thesis and objectives;
  - a letter signed by their university supervisor and department head authorizing the research residency in an off campus laboratory.
  3. The primary selection criteria for graduate students will be the relevance of the proposed scientific research work to AAFC and other criteria listed above.
  4. Graduate students are invited to conduct and complete their thesis research with AAFC.
  5. Applicants must be eligible to obtain the Enhanced Reliability security clearance.
  6. AAFC offers a merit-based bridging mechanism which allows for students participating in this program to be appointed into the Department after completion of their studies.
  7. Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) is committed to ensuring a representative workforce that reflects the diversity of the Canadian population. In order to achieve this representation, we encourage students of the following employment equity groups to apply and self-identify: women, members of a visible minority group, Aboriginal peoples and persons with a disability.

Important messages

Successful completion of both an FSWEP work assignment and your educational program may lead to temporary or permanent federal public service positions for which you meet the merit criteria and conditions of employment.

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

Questions regarding travel and relocation.

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled, diverse workforce reflective of Canadian society. As a result, it promotes employment equity and encourages candidates to indicate voluntarily on their application if they are a woman, an Aboriginal person, a person with a disability or a member of a visible minority group.

The Public Service of Canada is also committed to developing inclusive, barrier-free selection processes and work environments. If contacted in relation to a job opportunity or testing, you should advise the Public Service Commission or the departmental official in a timely fashion of the accommodation measures which must be taken to enable you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

Date modified:

2023-08-09