Summer Research Assistant
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada · Kentville · · Open to the public
Open January 20 to February 5, 2026
- Applications
- 92
- in 16 days
- Screened in
- 43%
- 40 of 92
- Employment equity groups
- 78%
- 72 people
- Canadian citizens
- 77%
- 71 people
Who applied
Share of all 92 applications. People can be in more than one group.
Employment equity
Women
61 · 66%
Visible minorities
22 · 24%
Indigenous peoples
Unknown
Persons with disabilities
11 · 12%
Language
English
83 · 90%
French
9 · 10%
Status
Citizens
71 · 77%
Not citizensIncludes permanent residents
21 · 23%
Original job posting
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Summer Research Assistant - Research Affiliate Program
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada - Science and Technology Branch
Closing date: February 5, 2026 - 23:59, Pacific Time
Apply
Organization information
For further information on the organization, please visit Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
Reference number
AGR26J-059095-000217
AGR26J-059095-000217
Selection process number
26-AGR-RAP-2
26-AGR-RAP-2
Location
Kentville (Nova Scotia)
Kentville (Nova Scotia)
Employment tenure
The projected start date is May 1, 2026 with an end date of August 28, 2026 (or depending on the candidate's availability or needs). It is expected that the student will work 35 or 37.5 hours per week, or as needed. Overtime hours may be required for some positions.
The projected start date is May 1, 2026 with an end date of August 28, 2026 (or depending on the candidate's availability or needs). It is expected that the student will work 35 or 37.5 hours per week, or as needed. Overtime hours may be required for some positions.
Salary
$17.75 to $28.30 per hour - College/CEGEP: $17.75 to $23.55; Bachelor’s: $18.84 to $28.30. Varies as per the level of education and experience.
$17.75 to $28.30 per hour - College/CEGEP: $17.75 to $23.55; Bachelor’s: $18.84 to $28.30. 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.
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.
For further information on the organization, please visit Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
On this page
- About the position
- Conditions of employment
- You need (essential for the job)
- Language requirements (essential for the job)
- Our commitment
- Equity, diversity and inclusion
- Preference
- How to apply
- Additional links
- Hiring organization contact
About the position
Duties
Due to the breadth of research undertaken at the Kentville Research and Development Centre, the individual will provide support and technical assistance at an AAFC Centre in some or all of the following by:
• Assisting with laboratory, greenhouse and field support for research programs, e.g. maintaining live cultures (microbial or insect or plant) by making diet, watering, fertilizing, maintaining research field trials, e.g. weeding, watering, transplanting.
• Carrying out research activities under lab, greenhouse and/or field conditions.
• Assisting in the maintenance of research equipment.
• Assisting with the collection of data from experiments, e.g. taking measurements of plants, counting insects, assessing damage.
• Contributing to the development of analytical methods and evaluation techniques.
• Contributing to the development of new techniques and methods.
Due to the breadth of research undertaken at the Kentville Research and Development Centre, the individual will provide support and technical assistance at an AAFC Centre in some or all of the following by:
• Assisting with laboratory, greenhouse and field support for research programs, e.g. maintaining live cultures (microbial or insect or plant) by making diet, watering, fertilizing, maintaining research field trials, e.g. weeding, watering, transplanting.
• Carrying out research activities under lab, greenhouse and/or field conditions.
• Assisting in the maintenance of research equipment.
• Assisting with the collection of data from experiments, e.g. taking measurements of plants, counting insects, assessing damage.
• Contributing to the development of analytical methods and evaluation techniques.
• Contributing to the development of new techniques and methods.
Work environment
The Kentville Research and Development Centre (KRDC) is one of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) national network of 19 research centres. It is located in Kentville, in western Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley. Currently, research is focused on horticulture, functional foods and post-harvest processing of horticultural products. The centre focuses its research in three key areas: primary production and integrated crop production technology for the Atlantic region, food safety and quality and environmental stewardship, and improving performance of the agricultural production system.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
The Kentville Research and Development Centre (KRDC) is one of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s (AAFC) national network of 19 research centres. It is located in Kentville, in western Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley. Currently, research is focused on horticulture, functional foods and post-harvest processing of horticultural products. The centre focuses its research in three key areas: primary production and integrated crop production technology for the Atlantic region, food safety and quality and environmental stewardship, and improving performance of the agricultural production system.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
10
10
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.
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.
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.
Other Conditions:
Known allergies must be controlled through the use of personal protective equipment and/or medication and must not impinge upon the duties to be performed.
Willingness to be exposed to stinging insects.
Willingness to work with hazardous materials using normal safety precautions.
Possession of a valid driver’s license (R graduation needed to drive fleet vehicles), or personal mobility to the extent normally associated with the possession of a valid driver’s license.
Known allergies must be controlled through the use of personal protective equipment and/or medication and must not impinge upon the duties to be performed.
Willingness to be exposed to stinging insects.
Willingness to work with hazardous materials using normal safety precautions.
Possession of a valid driver’s license (R graduation needed to drive fleet vehicles), or personal mobility to the extent normally associated with the possession of a valid driver’s license.
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 college, or bachelor’s program at a recognized postsecondary institution with a specialization in:
- Agricultural Sciences
- Plant Science
- Biology
- Bioscience Technology
- Chemistry
- Environmental Science
- Environmental Technology
- Food Science
- Hydrology
- Natural Resources
- Microbiology
- Entomology
- Soil ScienceOr a related agricultural program.You must clearly indicate your level of education on your application.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.
Candidate must be enrolled now, or will be enrolled by the date of the appointment, in a college, or bachelor’s program at a recognized postsecondary institution with a specialization in:
- Agricultural Sciences
- Plant Science
- Biology
- Bioscience Technology
- Chemistry
- Environmental Science
- Environmental Technology
- Food Science
- Hydrology
- Natural Resources
- Microbiology
- Entomology
- Soil ScienceOr a related agricultural program.You must clearly indicate your level of education on your application.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.
Experience:
Experience* assisting with fruit/vegetable picking, weeding and/or watering in a laboratory, greenhouse or field setting.
Experience* collecting and/or processing samples.
Experience* working in a laboratory or field setting.
Experience* using computers (i.e. data entry or working with data loggers).*In the context of student recruitment in the Federal Public Service, the experience can be acquired through studies, work experience, or volunteer activities.
Experience* assisting with fruit/vegetable picking, weeding and/or watering in a laboratory, greenhouse or field setting.
Experience* collecting and/or processing samples.
Experience* working in a laboratory or field setting.
Experience* using computers (i.e. data entry or working with data loggers).*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 basic laboratory, greenhouse or field methodologies, tools, theories or practices and principles as they apply to the production of food.
Knowledge of basic laboratory, greenhouse or field methodologies, tools, theories or practices and principles as they apply to the production of food.
Competencies:
Initiative
Teamwork
Problem solving
Oral and written communication
Initiative
Teamwork
Problem solving
Oral and written communication
Abilities:
Ability to work for extended periods of time, sometimes doing repetitive tasks, under laboratory or greenhouse or field conditions.
Ability to work outdoors under various weather conditions.
Ability to assist with pesticide applications, following training and with appropriate personal protective equipment.
Ability to work independently, sometimes unsupervised, for extended periods of time.
Ability to work for extended periods of time, sometimes doing repetitive tasks, under laboratory or greenhouse or field conditions.
Ability to work outdoors under various weather conditions.
Ability to assist with pesticide applications, following training and with appropriate personal protective equipment.
Ability to work independently, sometimes unsupervised, for extended periods of time.
Language requirements (essential for the job)
Applied / assessed at a later date
English or French - 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 apply.
Learn more about diversity and inclusion in the public service.
Selection may be limited to members of the following employment equity groups: Indigenous (Aboriginal) peoples, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, and women.
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
- 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
We'd like to thank all those who apply. However, only the people selected for further consideration will be contacted.