Canola Breeding Summer Associate

This position is a part of the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).

This position has an end date of Nov 30, 2024

Location: This role requires work in multiple locations: North and South Campus Edmonton, and field locations in St. Albert, and Spruce Grove.

Working for the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is teeming with change makers, community builders, and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to more than 40,000 students in 200+ undergraduate and 500+ graduate programs, over 13,000 faculty and staff, 260,000 alumni worldwide and have been recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for over a decade.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross section of people—from our students and stakeholders, to our renowned researchers and innovators who are quite literally curing diseases, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger, and more just.

Working for the Department of Agricultural, Food & Nutritional Science

The Department of AFNS attracts over $20 million in research funding every year, which supports research and teaching on North and South Campus in plant, animal, food processing and bio-resource, human nutrition, agri-food materials, genomics and proteomics and food microbiology. 

Position Summary

The Canola Breeding Associate assists in field trials for local and global breeding programs with the goal of developing hybrids that provide the highest return to growers.

Duties

The Canola Breeding Associate will be responsible for field activities relating to growing, and harvest including: 

• seed set up
• land preparation
• seeding
• pest control
• pollination management
• plot maintenance
• parental development and harvesting 

The Canola Breeding Associate will also be involved in the daily monitoring of field and research plots and data collection for Parental and Hybrid Selection.

Qualifications

The ideal candidate will have:

• A passion for Agriculture and are looking to gain hands-on experience working with Canola within a Global business. 
• High school diploma or post-secondary studies in or obtained a diploma/degree in Agriculture or Plant Science
• Previous experience working on a farm would be an asset
• Farm machinery operating experience would be very beneficial
• Demonstrated problem-solving skills
• Ability to be flexible and modify plans as situations arise minimizing impact on results.
• A driver's license will be required for this position to drive/operate any of the trucks, tractors, or machinery to be used for field trials, and for travelling and transportation of the equipment to different locations.  The minimum requirement is a valid Class 5 driver's license (no GDL); Defensive Driving Training; Must pass the U of A Fleet Safety Driver's Evaluation and maintain the U of A Authorized Driver status  (minimum age 19).

At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.

Note: Online applications are accepted until midnight Mountain Standard Time of the closing date.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.