Margaret Meagher Fellowship - Research Affiliate Program

Important messages

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Assessment accommodation

Please ensure you read all poster notes thoroughly as they contain important information regarding the application process. Failure to follow the instructions could result in your application missing critical information and having insufficient information for the assessment board to complete your assessment resulting in your elimination from the process.

Objectives
The Margaret Meagher Fellowship aims to deepen the Government of Canada’s knowledge about China, and to foster the development of the next generation of policy-focused China experts who will be at the forefront in academia, government, civil society and business in Canada.

Description
The Margaret Meagher Fellow will be integrated into the Centre for China Policy Research at Global Affairs Canada (GAC) through the Research Affiliate Program. The fellow will be expected to dedicate the majority of their time carrying out a research project on a priority China issue while also contributing to implementing other priorities for the Centre (e.g. conducting analysis on emerging issues, participating in the policy development process). This opportunity is ideally suited to a doctoral student at an advanced stage of their PhD program who wishes to pursue a career bridging academia and policy making with a specialization on China.

The Margaret Meagher Fellow is expected to work a maximum of 25 hours per week and should be willing to commit for a period of up to 12 months. The fellow will receive a total bursary of $55,567 maximum, dependent on the number of months in the position.

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*** IMPORTANT! ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS REQUIRED ***

In addition to your on-line application, the following documents must be submitted to the following e-mail address as a single PDF file (total file size smaller than 15MB) by 31 January 2025 at 11:59 p.m.(Pacific time): opr-fellowships.bourses-opr@international.gc.ca

• An original two-page research proposal on a significant contemporary foreign policy issue linked to GAC’s mandate and related to China that you think the Centre for China Policy Research should focus on (please specify the research topic, question, hypothesis, timeline for completion and relevance to GAC priorities). The proposal will be evaluated against the Ability essential criteria listed below.
• A sample paper or publication ideally pertaining to China, to be evaluated against the Ability essential criteria listed below.
• Proof of enrolment for 2024-2025 in a recognized academic institution.
• Complete doctoral transcripts.
• A list of the courses you have taken as well as any courses that you are taking now, or that you will be taking this academic year.

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Work environment

The Federal Public Service is stronger and most effective when we reflect the rich diversity of the Canadian population that we serve. GAC is committed to building a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace where all employees feel empowered to be authentic. At GAC, we believe that by leveraging all available strengths that exist within the diversity of Canada’s population, we can reach the highest levels of professionalism, innovation and productivity. Don’t miss your opportunity to work for a department where your voice is heard, valued, respected and amplified. All candidates who believe they are qualified are encouraged to apply, including Black, other racialized and Indigenous peoples, women, persons with disabilities and persons of the 2SLGBTQ+ community. We encourage candidates to indicate voluntarily on their application if they are a member of one of these groups and complete the Employment Equity (EE) section of the application. If you would like to learn more about self-declaration, please consult this website: https://www.canada.ca/en/services/jobs/opportunities/government/self-declaring-government-canada-jobs.html.

Our employees are our single biggest asset and our employees’ health and safety is of the upmost importance.

GAC is located at 125 Sussex Dr, Ottawa, ON. Our hybrid work model is consistent with the Common hybrid work model for the Federal Public Service which requires Departments to establish a minimum attendance requirement of at least three (3) days each week onsite. Specific work arrangements should be discussed with the manager at the time of hire.

The hybrid work model can be accessed via the following link: https://www.canada.ca/en/government/publicservice/staffing/common-hybrid-work-model-federal-public-service.html .

Intent of the process

The position is a part-time (maximum 25 hours per week), up to 12 months doctoral fellowship starting September 2, 2025.

A maximum of two (2) fellowships could be offered.

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter "- A cover letter explaining in 1,500 words maximum your interest in the Margaret Meagher Fellowship and clearly demonstrating how you meet the Essential Qualification (Education AND Experience criteria) and Asset Qualification listed below. Please note that stating these qualifications have been met, and/or listing past or current responsibilities does not represent adequate substantiation. Please use the wording of each qualification as a header and then write one or two paragraphs for each criteria explaining how, where and when (MM-YYYY to MM-YYYY) you obtained the experience, with supporting examples. Failure to provide this information in the requested format may result in your application being rejected."

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

English or French

Information on language requirements

Education:
Applicants must be Canadian citizens or permanent residents who are currently enrolled as full-time students in a PhD program at a recognized university in a field of study relevant to GAC, preferably with a specialization on China, and who are pursing a thesis as a part of their studies.

Ideally, applicants should have successfully attained candidacy status within their PhD program at the time of application, including having completed all course work and examination requirements, in addition to an approved dissertation proposal.

Degree equivalency

Experience:
Recent post-graduate experience conducting research and/or contributing to knowledge pertaining to China and relevant to GAC’s mandate in areas including (but not limited to) foreign policy, international law, international trade and commerce, international assistance and consular services.

Competency:
Excellent oral, technical written and interpersonal communication skills in English or French.

Ability:
Ability to design high-quality and innovative research on policy-relevant issues.

Personal Suitability:
PS1. Interpersonal skills
PS2. Results management – ability to organize time, work and resources to accomplish objectives in the most effective and efficient way under different time frames.

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

Asset Qualifications:
AQ1. Academic and/or research excellence (demonstrated by scholarships/awards/prizes, presenting at conferences, publications and/or course development), in particular pertaining to China.
AQ2. Knowledge of a Chinese language.

Degree equivalency

Conditions of employment

Secret security clearance - Shortlisted candidates will be required to obtain Secret security clearance in order to finalize the selection process.

Other information

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

Communication for this process will be sent via email. It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure accurate contact information is provided and updated as required. Candidates who apply to this selection process should provide an email address that accepts email from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email).

• The Education and Experience criteria and Asset Qualifications will be assessed by reviewing the online application, including the cover letter and resume.
• The Ability criteria will be assessed by reviewing the research proposal and sample paper.
• The Competency criteria will be assessed throughout the application process.
• The Personal Suitability criteria will be assessed during the interview.
• We may contact your references to assess your qualifications further.
• Candidates can participate in the selection process in the official language of their choice.
• Successful applicants should maintain their full-time student status for the duration of the fellowship. Part-time students working on their doctoral thesis will also be considered.

Preference

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Contact information

Apply online