MSc/PhD position
About the role
Reference number
AGR26J-170898-000012
Selection process number
26-AGR-RAP-9
Location
Agassiz (British Columbia)
Employment tenure
The projected start date is September 1, 2026 with an end date of March 30, 2029 (or depending on the candidate's availability or needs) with the possibility of part-time extension. It is expected that the student will work 20 hours per week.
Salary
$25.17 to $38.38 per hour - Varies as per the level of education and experience.
Who can apply
Persons residing in Canada, and Canadian citizens and Permanent residents abroad.
Organization information
For further information on the organization, please visit Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
About the position
Duties
The student will conduct research evaluating the influence of temperature regimes and seasonal dynamics on plant developmental physiology and phenology. This study requires assessing crop performance across diverse experimental settings, including field conditions with and without modified microclimates, and laboratory environments to understand environmental impacts on vegetative and reproductive development in blueberries. A major component of this position involves the optimization and application of UAV-based remote sensing technologies. The student will develop high-throughput workflows to rapidly assess physiological status and morphological traits across large sample sets. Key duties include data acquisition, statistical modeling, image analysis, and the synthesis of findings for an MSc/PhD thesis and peer-reviewed publications. Additionally, the student will assist in supervising undergraduate research assistants and managing laboratory operations.
Work environment
The majority of field research activities will be conducted at the Agri-Food Canada’s Agassiz Research and Development Centre in Agassiz, BC, a research facility with nearly 20 research teams representing diverse fields of agriculture. All coursework will be completed at Simon Fraser University, a major public university located in Greater Vancouver. The chosen candidate will work closely with researchers specializing in plant physiology, and remote sensing.
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.Willingness and ability to work in diverse environments, including outdoor field sites (handling drones and collecting plant phenological and physiological data) and controlled laboratory settings
Learn more about security screening process.
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 or doctorate program at a recognized postsecondary institution with a specialization in plant physiology and remote sensing.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.
Learn more about degree equivalency.
Applied / assessed at a later date
Knowledge:
Knowledge of plant physiology, specifically regarding abiotic stress responses (e.g., drought, heat)
Knowledge of remote sensing principles (multispectral/hyperspectral imaging), acquisition of multi-type images, and image processing
Knowledge of statistical methods and experimental design
Knowledge in programming languages for data analysis (e.g., R, Python) and geospatial software (e.g., QGIS, ArcGIS, ENVI)
Competencies:
Interactive Communication
Initiative
Problem Solving
Planning and Organizing
Abilities:
Ability to analyze research findings and communicate them effectively through oral presentations and scientific writing (reports, manuscripts)
Ability to work effectively within a research team or individually, depending on study requirements
Language requirements (essential for the job)
Applied / assessed at a later date
English essential
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 apply.
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 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.
Learn more about employment equity.
Preference
Preference will be given to veterans first and then to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, with the exception of a job located in Nunavut, where Nunavut Inuit will be appointed first.
Learn more about preference to veterans.
How to apply
Learn more about applying for Government of Canada jobs.
Information you must provide
- Your résumé
- A cover letter - Please explain in about 500 words why you are interested in this position and how your educational background and relevant experience will help you deliver the needs of this position.
- 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 apply. 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: aafc.rap-par.aac@agr.gc.ca
About Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada provides leadership in the growth and development of a competitive, innovative and sustainable Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector.
MSc/PhD position
About the role
Reference number
AGR26J-170898-000012
Selection process number
26-AGR-RAP-9
Location
Agassiz (British Columbia)
Employment tenure
The projected start date is September 1, 2026 with an end date of March 30, 2029 (or depending on the candidate's availability or needs) with the possibility of part-time extension. It is expected that the student will work 20 hours per week.
Salary
$25.17 to $38.38 per hour - Varies as per the level of education and experience.
Who can apply
Persons residing in Canada, and Canadian citizens and Permanent residents abroad.
Organization information
For further information on the organization, please visit Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
About the position
Duties
The student will conduct research evaluating the influence of temperature regimes and seasonal dynamics on plant developmental physiology and phenology. This study requires assessing crop performance across diverse experimental settings, including field conditions with and without modified microclimates, and laboratory environments to understand environmental impacts on vegetative and reproductive development in blueberries. A major component of this position involves the optimization and application of UAV-based remote sensing technologies. The student will develop high-throughput workflows to rapidly assess physiological status and morphological traits across large sample sets. Key duties include data acquisition, statistical modeling, image analysis, and the synthesis of findings for an MSc/PhD thesis and peer-reviewed publications. Additionally, the student will assist in supervising undergraduate research assistants and managing laboratory operations.
Work environment
The majority of field research activities will be conducted at the Agri-Food Canada’s Agassiz Research and Development Centre in Agassiz, BC, a research facility with nearly 20 research teams representing diverse fields of agriculture. All coursework will be completed at Simon Fraser University, a major public university located in Greater Vancouver. The chosen candidate will work closely with researchers specializing in plant physiology, and remote sensing.
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.Willingness and ability to work in diverse environments, including outdoor field sites (handling drones and collecting plant phenological and physiological data) and controlled laboratory settings
Learn more about security screening process.
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 or doctorate program at a recognized postsecondary institution with a specialization in plant physiology and remote sensing.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.
Learn more about degree equivalency.
Applied / assessed at a later date
Knowledge:
Knowledge of plant physiology, specifically regarding abiotic stress responses (e.g., drought, heat)
Knowledge of remote sensing principles (multispectral/hyperspectral imaging), acquisition of multi-type images, and image processing
Knowledge of statistical methods and experimental design
Knowledge in programming languages for data analysis (e.g., R, Python) and geospatial software (e.g., QGIS, ArcGIS, ENVI)
Competencies:
Interactive Communication
Initiative
Problem Solving
Planning and Organizing
Abilities:
Ability to analyze research findings and communicate them effectively through oral presentations and scientific writing (reports, manuscripts)
Ability to work effectively within a research team or individually, depending on study requirements
Language requirements (essential for the job)
Applied / assessed at a later date
English essential
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 apply.
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 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.
Learn more about employment equity.
Preference
Preference will be given to veterans first and then to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, with the exception of a job located in Nunavut, where Nunavut Inuit will be appointed first.
Learn more about preference to veterans.
How to apply
Learn more about applying for Government of Canada jobs.
Information you must provide
- Your résumé
- A cover letter - Please explain in about 500 words why you are interested in this position and how your educational background and relevant experience will help you deliver the needs of this position.
- 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 apply. 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: aafc.rap-par.aac@agr.gc.ca
About Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada provides leadership in the growth and development of a competitive, innovative and sustainable Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector.