MSc/PhD position - Plant Phenotyping
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada · Agassiz · · Open to the public
Open March 9 to March 27, 2026
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MSc/PhD position - Plant Phenotyping - Research Affiliate Program
Please note that the selection process has been amended to extend the closing date to March 27th, 2026 - 23:59, Pacific Time.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada - Science and Technology Branch
Closing date: March 27, 2026 - 23:59, Pacific Time
AGR26J-170427-000252
26-AGR-RAP-9A
Agassiz (British Columbia)
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.
$25.17 to $38.38 per hour - Varies as per the level of education and experience.
Persons residing in Canada and Canadian citizens, permanent residents and international students* residing abroad.* International students, with valid visas permitting work in Canada, will only be considered when no eligible, qualified Canadian citizens or permanent residents are available for the position.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 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
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.
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.
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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
Learn more about security screening process.
You need (essential for the job)
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.
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)
Interactive Communication
Initiative
Problem Solving
Planning and Organizing
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)
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.
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 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.