Graduate Student

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada - Science and Technology Branch
Kentville (Nova Scotia)
$24.62 to $37.53 per hour (Master’s: $24.62 to $30.99; Doctorate: $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: 6 December 2024 - 23:59, Pacific Time**

**Who can apply**: Persons residing in Canada, Canadian citizens, and Permanent residents abroad.
- 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**:
Effective sustainable farm practices are essential to conserve and improve upon soil health and fertility and to enhance associated ecosystem services in viticulture systems in the face of climate change.

Experimental sites will be conducted in six commercial vineyards in the Valley of Annapolis in Nova Scotia and greenhouse and incubation studies at KRDC. The lab work will mainly take place in KRDC and HRDC. Two scientists from AAFC (Dr. Vicky Lévesque and Dr. Lori Phillips) and two professors from the Faculty of Agriculture - Dalhousie University (Dr. Derek Lynch, Dr. Rhea Lumactud) with various expertise will be involved.

**Work environment**:
In collaboration with the research teams of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) located at the Kentville Research Development Centre (KRDC, NS) and at the Harrow Research Development Centre (HRDC), ON, and a research team at the Faculty of Agriculture at Dalhousie University in Truro, NS, the student will conduct research leading to the writing of a Master’s or PhD thesis on the effect of organic amendments in conventional and organic viticulture systems on soil health and microbial diversity and functioning in Nova Scotia.

Day-to-day hands-on research work will be conducted at the Kentville RDC and at the Harrow RDC, with coursework and other academic activities being completed at the Faculty of Agriculture - University of Dalhousie, Truro, Nova Scotia.

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

Currently enrolled or will be enrolled by the date of appointment in a Master’s or PhD program in a recognized post-secondary institution with a specialization in Agricultural Sciences.

The student must meet the eligibility criteria to enroll in Dalhousie University.

Degree equivalency

Experience
Experience* working in a laboratory or doing field work related to agriculture.
Experience* in collecting, compiling and analyzing experimental data.
Experience* in writing scientific manuscripts and in presenting the results at a conference or meetings.
- In the context of student recruitment in the federal public service, 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

Information on language requirements

Knowledge:
Knowledge of soil science with emphasis on soil health and microbial ecology.
Knowledge of biochemical cycles of carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus in agricultural systems.
Knowledge of theory and principles of statistical analysis in biological sciences.

Competencies:
Teamwork
Planning and Organization
Initiative

Abilities:
Ability to use statistical software.
Ability to summarize and communicate scientific information in oral and written form.
Ability to work independently and in collaboration with others.
Ability to troubleshoot experiments.

**The following may be applied / ass