Defence Research Assistant Program

CODE: 003

JOB TITLE: Defence Research Assistant (DRA)

NUMBER OF JOBS BEING OFFERED: Various

JOB DESCRIPTION: Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC) provides leading edge science and technology (S&T) to the Canadian Forces, plays a leadership role in S&T both nationally and internationally, and focuses on the challenges relating to research and development (R&D) in areas of critical importance to the Canadian Forces. Its goal is to ensure that the Canadian Forces remain technologically prepared and relevant in defence and national security. DRDC draws on its expertise, technology, capabilities and facilities to meet these challenges today and into the future. It is committed to building an environment and workforce that is dedicated to excellence and innovation.

DRDC research concentrates on 22 R&D activity areas and operates six research centres across Canada, each with a unique combination of expertise and facilities to carry-out world class research and development.

Successful persons will conduct research in a DRDC centre. The DRA will be offered the opportunity to work with a team of highly qualified scientists in a research environment that requires knowledge in a particular area of natural sciences, engineering, mathematics/statistics and social sciences.

DEPARTMENT / AGENCY: Department of National Defence / DRDC

GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION OF POSITION: Halifax (Nova Scotia), Val Belair (Quebec), Ottawa (Ontario), Toronto (Ontario), Suffield (Alberta), Victoria (British Colombia)

THE DEPARTMENT WILL MAKE THE MAJORITY OF REQUESTS FOR REFERRALS BY THIS DATE: Ongoing/year round.

DURATION OF EMPLOYMENT: Assignments may be available at any time during the year on a full-time or part-time basis. The length of the assignment will vary depending on the level of academic study and the particular requirements of the respective DRDC research centres.

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT: Various linguistic profiles

FIELDS OF STUDY: Specific fields of study will vary based on the program of each DRDC research centre (http://www.drdc-rddc.gc.ca/researchtech/rdprogram_e.asp): natural sciences, engineering, mathematics/statistics and social sciences.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Various skills codes

Undergraduate Research:

• Applicants must be registered at a recognized Canadian university and be enrolled full-time in a post-secondary Bachelor degree program specializing in natural sciences, engineering, mathematics/statistics or social sciences.
• Applicants must have an academic record (grade point average) of 80% or higher to be considered.
• You must have completed at least six (6) semesters of academic studies in a four-year undergraduate program; OR have completed, by the following Spring, a three-year undergraduate program and be returning to university in the Fall of the following year.

Graduate Research:

• You must be registered at a recognized Canadian university and enrolled in full-time Master's or Doctorate program where the academic program requires supervised laboratory or field research as a condition of graduation in natural sciences, engineering, mathematics/statistics or social sciences. The field of study must be pertinent with research being conducted at DRDC.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION / CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

1. Undergraduate students interested in this program must apply to the DRA on-line: no additional information is required.

2. In addition to the above, upon application, Graduate students must also submit via hr-rh@drdc-rddc.gc.ca the following documentation:

• an updated curriculum vitae;
• a brief description of their research project/thesis and objectives, and
• a letter signed by their university supervisor and department head authorizing the research residency in an off campus laboratory. Arrangements may be required from the sponsoring university in accordance with the rules and regulations of the academic program.

3. The primary selection criteria for graduate students will be the relevance of the proposed scientific research work to DRDC and other criteria listed above.

4. Graduate students are invited to conduct and complete their thesis research with DRDC.

5. Some DRDC centres may require a medical examination before persons to be assessed can be considered.

6. You must be eligible to obtain the Enhanced Reliability security clearance.

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