Graduate Student

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada - Science and Technology Branch
Lacombe (Alberta)

$28.99 to $37.53 per hour (Varies as per level of education and experience.)
For further information on the organization, please visit Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada

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

**Closing date: 11 April 2024 - 23:59, Pacific Time**

**Who can apply**: Persons residing in Canada, Canadian citizens and Permanent residents abroad and students abroad that meet the eligibility criteria of the RAP program.

- 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.

Assessment accommodation

**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.

**Work environment**:
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

**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.

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)**:
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