FRESHWATER INVERTEBRATE TOXICOLOGIST

at  Environment and Climate Change Canada

Environment and Climate Change Canada - Water Science and Technology Directorate (WSTD), Aquatic Contaminants Research Division (ACRD)
Burlington (Ontario)

EDUCATION

The student must be currently enrolled or will be enrolled by the date of appointment in a MSc program at Wilfrid Laurier University in Biology.
Note: The student must be currently recognized as having full-time student status in the academic institution in which they are presently enrolled, pending approval of acceptance or in the process of submitting their application. The student will need to present proof of enrollment prior to the start date and must be returning to full-time studies for the next academic term.
Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE

Experience conducting toxicity testing with aquatic organisms.
Experience following proper laboratory standard operating procedures and guidelines.
Experience in collecting, compiling, and analyzing scientific datasets using spreadsheets and statistical software, such as R.
With respect to the recruitment of students to the federal public service, please note that experience can be gained through education, work experience or volunteer activities.

ASSET EXPERIENCE

Experience analyzing metals from various matrices (e.g., water, biota) by atomic absorption spectrometry.
Experience conducting field work.

KNOWLEDGE

Knowledge of toxicology principles as obtained through toxicology course or equivalent.
Knowledge of environmental chemistry principles as obtained through undergraduate chemistry courses.

ABILITIES

Ability to analyze data and synthesize and interpret results.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Ability and willingness to travel to Burlington, Ontario, to conduct laboratory work.
Ability and willingness to work with hazardous chemicals using appropriate safety equipment after receiving suitable training.

This project aims to develop indicators of ecosystem health using genomic approaches to assess the effects of environmental contaminants on freshwater gastropods.

Under this RAP work term, the student will complete novel ecotoxicology research on the effects of contaminants in freshwater snails. Tasks include:

• Conducting a literature review pertaining to the effects of the contamination of interest in freshwater gastropods
• In collaboration with laboratory staff, contribute to the set-up, running and take-down of various toxicity tests with various life stages of freshwater snails
• Capture embryo development by digital photography, analyze images to assess various endpoints (e.g., growth, hatching success)
• Enter data into Excel spreadsheets, summarizing results in graphs and tables
• Perform statistical analyses using statistical programs
• Calculate LC50 and EC50 values (e.g., survival, viability, hatching success, growth) using advanced statistical software (e.g., R)
• Contribute to the preparation of knowledge-transfer information (e.g., presentation slides, reports to funding agencies)
• Participate in knowledge transfer of the research through participation at conferences and/or workshops
• Contribute to peer-review manuscript(s), as applicable

The work will be conducted as part of the Master of Science (MSc) research of the successful candidate.