Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Science Research Assistant Program

CODE: 011

JOB TITLE: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada Science Research Assistant (AAFCRA)

NUMBER OF POSITIONS BEING OFFERED: Varies

JOB DESCRIPTION: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) is looking for students with backgrounds in science. Through our co-operative education and 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 to be assessed 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.

DEPARTMENT/AGENCY: Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Research Branch

GEOGRAPHIC LOCATION OF POSITION: AAFC has research facilities located in every province in Canada . Please visit the AAFC website to find out more information about the research conducted at each location: http://res2.agr.gc.ca/contact_e.htm .

THE DEPARTMENT WILL MAKE THE MAJORITY OF REQUESTS FOR REFERRALS BY THIS DATE: On-going, Year-round.

DURATION OF EMPLOYMENT: Various

LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS: Various linguistic profiles

FIELDS OF STUDY: Specific fields of study will vary based on the location of each AAFC research centre.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA: Various skills codes

Undergraduate Research:

• Applicants must be registered in a recognized Canadian institution and be enrolled in a post-secondary degree program specializing in agri-food science and technology or a related science field.
• Applicants must have an academic record (grade point average) of 80% or better to be considered.
• Applicants must have completed at least six (6) semesters of academic studies (science-based) in a four-year program.

Graduate Research:

• Applicants must be registered at a recognized Canadian university and 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 field of study must be pertinent with research being conducted at AAFC.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION/CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT:

1. Graduate students must also submit as part of their application 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.
   
   
2. The primary selection criteria for graduate students will be the relevance of the proposed scientific research work to AAFC and other criteria listed above.
3. Graduate students are invited to conduct and complete their thesis research with AAFC.
4. Applicants must be eligible to obtain the Enhanced Reliability security clearance.
5. 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.

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