Government of Canada Postdoctoral Research Program 2021

The Postdoctoral Research Program (PRP) is an international and horizontal program that provides promising new scientists access to unique world-class facilities across Canada and the opportunity to work alongside multi-disciplinary teams of expert researchers and technicians on projects of critical importance to Canada.

If you submit your application to this program and your application meets the eligibility criteria, you will be added to an inventory accessible by the six (6) govermental departments and agencies participating in the Postdoctoral Research Program, listed below. 

As positions become available in one of the participating governmental departments or agencies, applicants who meet the advertised qualifications identified in the PRP selection criteria, may be contacted to initiate the hiring process. If you are contacted, the hiring governemental organization will provide you with a complete copy of the criteria that will be used to evaluate your application.

Partnering Federal Government Organizations  

• Natural Resources Canada (NRCan)
• Agriculture  and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC)
• Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC)
• Fisheries and Oceans Canada (DFO)
• Health Canada (HC)
• Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC)

Your Contribution  

• Conduct research that contributes to improvements in theories and/or techniques through the innovation or modification of concepts, theories, and approaches and/or new solutions.
• Plan, organize, conduct and control research projects and/or field work under guidance.
• Conceive, carry out, and report on research and development projects and/or field work with guidance.
• Responsible for carrying out research for decisions affecting own research, and the integrity of data and their analysis.
• Write and publish papers and reports documenting and interpreting results of research.
• Contribute to expert-reviewed research publications.
• Represent own research in meetings/events and discussing research outcomes. Attend workshops and/or conferences and present paper(s) on own research.

Eligibility

Candidates must have obtained a doctoral degree (PhD) within the last three (3) years* from a recognized post-secondary institution in a field of natural sciences with a specialization related to the duties of the position.

• Haven’t graduated yet? You can apply to the PRP if you are currently enrolled in a doctoral program at a recognized post-secondary institution, however, you must have completed your degree in order to be appointed to a position.
• Candidates whose doctoral degree (obtained within the last three (3) years) is not in a field of natural sciences can also be considered for the Postdoctoral Research Program if they have a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a scientific field, coupled with acceptable research, training and experience.

* Special consideration may be given to applicants who were unable to apply during the 3-year period, due to a significant career interruption or delay.

Experience

• Experience in planning and conducting research.
• Experience in working with a team of researchers and support staff.
• Productivity/Recognition: Refers to recognized achievement in the form of authorship and editorship of published or unpublished reports, books, papers, peer-reviewed scientific journals, or other communications resulting from:
  1. Research, experimental development, or tasking associated with operational equipment and problems; OR
  2. Operational research and scientific analysis; OR
  3. Planning, analysis, and evaluation of Canadian and foreign programs in research and development; OR
  4. Developmental work leading to the issue of patents, copyrights, or the creation of improved varieties, functions, or designs, and/or recognition by the professional community of the research environment.
• Additional experience criteria may be added based on the position being staffed.

Key Competencies:

• Adaptability
• Initiative
• Judgment
• Teamwork
• Interactive Communication
• Uphold Integrity and Respect
• Additional competencies may be added based on the position being staffed.

Who can apply: Canadians and non-Canadians. Preference will be given to veterans and to Canadian citizens, in that order.

Application Procedure

The application tool does not allow applicants to return to previous pages or to save and return to the application at a later time, therefore it needs to be completed in one sitting. The application takes approximately 60 minutes to complete.

You will be asked to provide contact details, education information (undergraduate, master’s and doctorate degrees)  as well as to answer screening questions regarding your previous professional experience.

You will be required to upload the following mandatory document:

• Your resumé/CV

 Additional optional documents that can be uploaded include:

• Cover letter;
• Academic diplomas;
• Official language results;
• Certifications;
• Foreign education credentials assessments;
• References

It is strongly advised that you have your documents ready and accessible before you start completing the application to avoid any potential interruptions or problems.  

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Official Website: Government of Canada Postdoctoral Research Program