Graduate Student - Soil Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Government of Canada; Saskatoon; On-site; CAD 35,000 - 44,000; Full time

Job summary

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada is seeking a Graduate Student for the Soil Greenhouse Gas Emissions Research Affiliate Program at the Saskatoon Research and Development Centre. The role focuses on field and laboratory work related to soil GHG measurements and environmental data collection.

The position runs May 3, 2027 to Nov 30, 2029 (possible extension) with a 25-hour workweek, requiring enrolment in a Master's program and strong data analysis and manuscript-writing skills.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a Master's program at a recognized Canadian post-secondary institution with a specialization in Agriculture, Soil Sciences, Environmental Sciences or related field.
• Experience with soil science and greenhouse gas emission techniques and protocols.
• Experience with data collection, management, and processing.

Responsibilities

• Soil greenhouse gas measurements (e.g., nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, and methane).
• Soil and atmospheric sensors installation and operation.
• Soil moisture data collection.
• Soil and plant sample collection.
• Reading and writing scientific manuscripts.
• Contributing to basic laboratory tasks.
• Data collection, management, and processing.

Skills

Soil science

GHG measurement techniques

Data collection

Field experimentation

Education

Master's program in Agriculture or Soil Sciences or Environmental Sciences

Tools

Soil sensors

Job description

Graduate Student - Soil Greenhouse Gas Emissions-Research Affiliate Program

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada- Science and Technology Branch

Employment tenure
The projected start date is May 3, 2027, with an end date of November 30, 2029 (or depending on the candidate's availability or needs) with the possibility of extension. It is expected that the student will work 25 hours per week.

Salary
$25.17 to $31.69 per hour-Varies as per the level of education and experience.

Who can apply
Persons residing in Canada, Canadian citizens, and Permanent residents abroad.To be considered for Research Affiliate Program (RAP) work opportunities, all candidates must meet the following eligibility criteria by the date of appointment:
- Be recognized as having full-time student status at an accredited Canadian post-secondary academic institution (this includes students with a disability deemed to have full-time status). Individuals pending approval of acceptance or in the process of submitting applications are encouraged to apply, as proof of enrollment will only be required prior to the start date.
- 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.

Duties
- Soil greenhouse gas (GHG) measurements (e.g., nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide, and methane).
- Soil and atmospheric sensors installation and operation.
- Soil moisture data collection.
- Soil and plant sample collection.
- Reading and writing scientific manuscripts.
- Contributing to basic laboratory tasks.
- Data collection, management, and processing.

Work environment
The student will be required to carry out experimental research in greenhouse and laboratory environments at the Saskatoon Research and Development Centre; and research in the field and laboratory environments during the summer at the Swift Current Research and Development Centre.

Positions to be filled
1

Important messages
Candidates will be required to pay for their own travel related to assessment and successful candidates will be responsible for obtaining their own living accommodations.Successful completion of both a RAP work assignment and your educational program may lead to a temporary or permanent federal public service position for which you meet the merit criteria and conditions of employment.*“It is also expected that the student will be located at the University of Saskatoon in Saskatchewan while studying and during the summer months (May to August) the student will be located at the AAFC Research and Development Center in Swift Current, Saskatchewan”.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance - Each student hired through the Research Affiliate Program (RAP) must meet the security requirements of the position as a condition of employment and, therefore will be asked by the hiring organization to complete security-relevant documents.

Your application must clearly explain how you meet the following

Education:
Currently enrolled or will be enrolled by the date of the appointment in a Master's program at a recognized post-secondary institution with a specialization in:
- Agriculture or
- Soil Sciences or
- Environmental Sciences, or
- any other discipline relevant to the field of study.Note: Must be currently recognized as having full-time student status in the academic institution in which you are presently enrolled, pending approval of acceptance or in the process of submitting your application. Proof of enrollment will be required prior to start date and the student must be returning to full-time studies for your next academic term.

Experience:
Experience* with soil science and greenhouse gas emission techniques and protocols.
Experience* with data collection, management, and processing.
Experience* with field experimentation in agricultural systems.Note: In the context of student recruitment in the federal Public Service, the experience can be acquired through studies, work experience or volunteer activities.

Applied / assessed at a later date

Knowledge:
Knowledge of soil GHG.
Knowledge of general soil sciences and nutrient dynamics in soil.
Knowledge of experimental designs.
Knowledge on soil and atmospheric sensors (installation and operation).

Competencies:
Adaptability
Initiative
Teamwork
Reliability
Critical Thinking
Motivation to learn and progress
Attention to detail

Abilities:
Ability to read and understand complex texts.
Ability to write and communicate results effectively to diverse audiences.
Ability to collect and process soil and plant samples.
Ability to conduct basic laboratory tasks.

Language requirements (essential for the job)

Applied / assessed at a later date

English essential - You are entitled to participate in the selection process in the official language of your choice.

We're 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 contact the hiring organization below to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the population it serves. We promote employment equity and encourage you to self-declare if you belong to one of the designated employment equity groups when you apply.

Agriculture and Agri-food Canada recognizes that the diversity of its employee population contributes to its strength and integrity. We are committed to achieving employment equity and developing a highly capable workforce that is representative of Canadian Society. We encourage women (especially in non-traditional occupations), Indigenous peoples (Aboriginal peoples), persons with disabilities, and members of visible minority groups to apply and declare themselves as part of one or more of the Employment Equity groups, as selection may be limited to candidates belonging to one or more of the groups.

Preference will be given to veterans first, followed by Canadian citizens and permanent residents, with the exception of jobs located in Nunavut or Yukon. For positions located in Nunavut, qualified Inuit enrolled under the Nunavut Agreement will be appointed first. For positions located in Yukon, qualified Yukon First Nations will be appointed first, followed by qualified Indigenous persons.

We'd like to thank all those who apply. However, only the people selected for further consideration will be contacted.