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Dalhousie University is a vibrant community of 12 faculties, 6,000 faculty and staff, and 18,500 students. An influential driver of the region’s intellectual, social and economic development, Dalhousie has campuses in Halifax and Truro.

The Faculty of Agriculture is situated at the Truro Agricultural Campus, is a small, vibrant, and research-intensive campus located in Truro, NS. Offering technical, undergraduate and graduate programs in agriculture, environment and related life and social science disciplines, the Faculty of Agriculture educates future leaders and generates knowledge and innovative solutions for healthy, sustainable societies.

The Wild Blueberry Research Program (WBRP) is part of the Department of Plant, Food, and Environmental Sciences. Its mandate is to undertake research and development activities that will provide the wild blueberry industry with the technology based products, processes and services that will increase berry yields, improve plant growth and development and production system sustainability, and enhance berry quality and composition.

The physical location of the research program is at the Wild Blueberry Research Centre (168 Dakota Road, Debert, NS) and room 318 of Cox Institute at the Truro Agricultural Campus. Present research and development activities include field and laboratory components.

Project areas presently include: (i) assessment of plant canopy health and presence of abiotic and biotic stresses through the use of remote sensing technologies; (ii) impact of floral blight and leaf spot diseases on plant growth, development, berry yield and postharvest quality; and (iii) development of site specific management practices. Field research activities are based at the Wild Blueberry Research Centre and also at commercial fields located throughout the Maritimes.

Reporting to the Director, Wild Blueberry Research Program (WBRP), the Research Assistant will participate in the field and laboratory research as well support the operations of the Wild Blueberry Research Centre (WBRC).

Key Responsibilities:
• Conduct field research including setting up replicated trials, application of treatments, collecting plant samples.
• Perform laboratory based procedures including preparing, organizing and processing samples for analysis.
• Assist with the preparation of literature reviews, scientific publications, and research proposals, reports and bulletins.
• Perform regular statistical analyses and prepare summary tables and figures.
• Assist with the use of unmanned aerial vehicles in wild blueberry fields and the use field equipment including GPS units, small tractors and all terrain vehicles

Qualifications:
Bachelor of Science Degree specializing in plant and/or environmental sciences plus a minimum of one year related experience is required. The selected candidate must have current Occupational Health and Safety and Dangerous Goods Training certification, and be willing to obtain a Pesticide Applicators License (Agriculture) certificate.

Experience organizing and implementing field research trials, preparing and applying agrochemical treatments, using analytical equipment including microscopes, UV/VIS spectrophotometers, and environmental monitoring equipment is essential. A valid Nova Scotia Class 5 drivers license is required. Demonstrated experience with statistical analysis software such as MiniTab and SAS is required.

The candidate must demonstrate the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. Demonstrated accuracy and attention to detail are required.

Note: This position will require travel throughout the Maritime provinces.
Salary Range: $18.05 - $22.90 per hour (commensurate with experience)

Please note: This position will start as a temporary with the potential to transition to a term position pending funding availability.

Interested? Please e-mail an application package consisting of a cover letter, resume, and contact information of three references to Dr. David Percival (David.Percival@dal.ca). If you have questions regarding the position, please contact him by e-mail or at (902) 890-9130.