Research assistant; MSc or PhD - Plant virus epidemiology

Position: Research assistant (MSc or PhD) - Plant virus epidemiology
Location: Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu

Research assistant (MSc or PhD) - Plant virus epidemiology - Research Affiliate Program

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada - Science and Technology Branch

Closing date:
March 13, 2026 - 23:59, Pacific Time

Reference number
AGR
26J
- Selection process number
26-AGR-RAP-7 Location
Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu (Québec)
Employment tenure
The projected start date is January 20, 2026 with an end date of March 6, 2026 (or depending on the candidate's availability or needs). It is expected that the student will work 19.5 hours per week with the possibility of part-time extension.
Salary
$25.17 to $38.38 per hour - Master: $25.17 to $31.69;
Doctorate: $29.64 to $38.38 - Varies as per 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.
Organization information
For further information on the organization, please visit .

On this page

About the position

Duties
Field sample collections.
Processing of samples in the laboratory.
Data analysis.
Manuscript writing.
Work environment
The project will be carried out at the Research and Development Center in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, located at 430 boul. Gouin, St-Jean-sur-Richelieu, QC, J3B 3E6. The candidate will pursue their graduate studies under the joint supervision of a partnering university professor (University of Sherbrooke, University of Montreal).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 Person s 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 Intent of the process
Who can apply?

Are you looking for an excellent opportunity to pursue a master's or a Ph.D. in a field of the future with intellectually vibrant research topics?
Do you want to be involved in the discovery of sustainable alternatives to synthetic pesticides?
Are you curious about what RNAi is and how they can contribute to the sustainable agriculture of tomorrow?
Are you interested in exploring the impact of viruses on plants?
Do you want to know more about the viral biodiversity in soil?
Are you eager to understand the impact of viruses in soil and plants functioning?
Would you like to enhance your skills in molecular biology and join a cutting-edge research team?
Or are you simply a science enthusiast looking to be part of the solutions for food security and the protection of our agroecosystems?

Come and join a dynamic team to work on:
1. The use of viruses as carriers to deliver RNAs into plants to control viral infections and expressions.
2. The use of viruses to control fungal pathogens.
3. The influence of root exudates on the activity and assembly of viral communities in the soil.
4. The involvement of viruses in carbon sequestration and nitrogen recycling processes in the soil.
5. Morphological and functional characterization of unknown viruses in mineral and organic soil.
6. Exploring the “dark virome” (uncharacterized virome) through bioinformatics:…