Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada - Science and Technology Branch

Closing date: October 16, 2026 - 23:59, Pacific Time

Reference number AGR26J-092396-000023

Selection process number

26-AGR-RAP-33

Location

Lethbridge (Alberta)

Employment tenure The projected start date is April 1, 2027 with an end date of March 31, 2029 (or depending on the candidate's availability or needs). It is expected that the student will work 18-20 hours per week with the possibility of part-time extension.

Salary

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

Who can

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 , 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.

Organization information For further information on the organization, please visit Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Duties

- Molecular biology (e.g., DNA and RNA extraction, qRT-PCR, ddPCR, plasmid construction)
- Plant tissue culture and transformation
- Rearing of plants in a greenhouse
- Sample collection
- Plant physiology assessments
- Reading and writing of scientific manuscripts
- Contributing to basic laboratory tasks

Work environment The student will be required to carry out experimental research in greenhouse and lab environments at the Lethbridge 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.

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. Learn more about security screening process.

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 laboratory and greenhouse environments.

Ability and willingness to work with hazardous materials.

Ability and willingness to work with chemicals and pesticides.

Operational Requirements

Ability and willingness to travel to conferences and training courses.

You need (essential for the job)

Your application must clearly explain how you meet the following

Education

Candidate must be enrolled now, or will be enrolled by the date of the appointment, in a master's program at a recognized postsecondary institution with a specialization in Plant biotechnology.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. The student must meet the eligibility requirements to enroll at the University of Alberta.

Learn more about degree equivalency.

Experience

Experience* with molecular biology techniques and protocols.

- 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 experimental design.

Knowledge of plant physiology.

Knowledge of molecular genetics.

Competencies

Adaptability

Initiative

Teamwork

Reliability

Critical Thinking

Abilities

Ability to read and understand complex texts.

Ability to write and communicate results effectively to diverse audiences.

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.

Learn more about language requirements.

Our commitment





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. Learn more about assessment accommodation.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

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 . Learn more about diversity and inclusion in the public service.

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 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.

Learn more about employment equity.

Preference

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. Learn more about preference to veterans.

How to

Learn more about ing for Government of Canada jobs.

Information you must provide

- Your résumé
- A cover letter - Please provide a cover letter detailing your interest in the position and how your background experience aligns with the position requirements.
- Contact information for 3 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

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

Additional links

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

Hiring organization contact

Name: RAP Team – Research Affiliate Program Email address: [email protected]

📌 Graduate student – Forage Biotechnology (Lethbridge)
🏢 Government of Canada
📍 Lethbridge