| The Faculty of Agriculture at Dalhousie University is a research-intensive university with key objectives to contribute to the knowledge base of the agri-food and aquaculture industries, to enrich the quality of life, to develop agricultural technologies and to train highly-qualified personnel. Dalhousie University’s vision is to be a regional centre of excellence for research in agriculture and food, aquaculture and the rural environment. The Wild Blueberry Research Program of Dalhousie University is seeking a qualified candidate for the following:
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| Employer: | Wild Blueberry Research Program, Department of Plant, Food, and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University | ||
| Employer Overview | The Wild Blueberry Program is a research program dedicated to improving berry yields, production sustainability, and the quality and safety of wild blueberries. Supported by the Bragg Lumber Company and the wild blueberry producer associations of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island, the research program strives to produce technology based products, processes and services that will allow the wild blueberry industry to remain competitive in an increasingly global economy. | ||
| Supervisor: | Dr. David Percival, Department of Plant. Food, and Environmental Sciences, Dalhousie University | ||
| Duties: | The research intern will assist with a combination of knowledge intensive field and laboratory activities involving assessing the biotic and abiotic factors influencing wild blueberry growth, development, berry yield and berry composition and the use of remote sensing technologies to assess the presence and effects of these stressors. Duties will include: (i) setting up replicated field trials and assisting with treatment applications; (ii) assessing plant and berry samples for the incidence, severity and type of disease pressures; (iii) fruit quality and composition analyses including assessment of fruit firmness and phenolic contents; (iv) compiling environmental data for the determination of disease infection periods and frost events; (v) assisting with data entry, statistical analyses, and results summarization; and (vi) assisting with knowledge transfer activities.
The research interns will work in a dynamic, team environment with other interns, research assistants, and graduate students, and involve collaborating with producers, other scientists, and industry representatives. The interns provide essential technical skills to the research program, providing an engaging work environment to the research program, and also provide the wild blueberry industry with a potential source of future employees. Research and development activities will be based out of the Wild Blueberry Research Program Lab, Dalhousie Agricultural Campus, 50 Pictou Road, Truro, Colchester County, NS. Transportation to field sites is provided. The research intern will work in a dynamic, team environment with other research interns, research assistants and graduate students. |
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| Required Competencies:
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The successful candidate must be enrolled as a full-time student for 2024-2025 in a post-secondary undergraduate program. Preference will be given to those enrolled in biology and/or environmental sciences programs. | ||
| Work Term Outcomes | The successful candidate is expected to have developed an improved knowledge of plant biology, berry composition, and plant-pest relationships. This will be complimented with the research intern also gaining insight into the use of remote sensing technologies including unmanned aerial aircraft and attached sensors; interactions with producers, industry representatives, other research scientists and students. In addition, it is anticipated the successful candidate will have acquired hands on training with respect to the setting up of field and laboratory experiments, and collection of various plant and environmental data. | ||
| Hours: | 35 hours per week, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. | ||
| Duration: | Approximately 17 weeks of work based on 35 hours per week with an anticipated start date May 5, and completion date of August 29, 2025. | ||
| Wage:
Accommodations: |
Minimum of $19.00 per hour based on qualifications and experience.
Assistance will be provided in coordinating accommodation arrangements in the Truro/Bible Hill, NS, area. If required, assistance with relocating to the Truro/Bible Hill area and financial assistance associated with the move may also be provided. |
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| Contact: | Dr. David Percival, Department of Plant, Food, and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Agriculture, Dalhousie University
E-mail cover letter, resume and transcript to: david.percival@dal.ca and sandra.murphy@dal.ca Please note that references may be requested during the interview process for this position. |
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Application Deadline: Sunday, January 19, 2025