Biologist – Pulse crop pathology

Duties

As part of a research program, the incumbent will lead independent research projects (under the guidance of Research Scientist) focused on Pulse crop pathology.

Responsibilities include:
- Leading independent research projects (under guidance of AAFC Research Scientist) focused on epidemiology of foliar diseases of pulse crops.
- Design experiments to determine infectious periods of fungal pathogens of pulse crops, and environmental conditions leading to disease development.
- Manage laboratory and field operations related to the program.
- Preparation of reports, proposals and research papers.
- Maintain quality control and troubleshooting to ensure accurate results.

Work environment

The Lethbridge Research and Development Centre is one of the largest facilities within Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's national network of 20 research centres. Located in southern Alberta, the centre was established in 1906 in a ideal location to address issues related to sustainable crop production systems under dry land and irrigated conditions, environmental issues associated with a semi-arid climate, and beef production systems. The centre also leads research in the development of bioindustrial platforms, particularly for triticale, and biocontrol.

The mission of the Lethbridge Research and Development Centre is to improve the long-term competitiveness of the Canadian agri-food sector through the development and transfer of innovative technologies. It conducts research in four main areas:
•Beef Cattle Science
•Crop and Livestock Biotechnology Platforms
•Sustainable Crop and Livestock Production Systems
•Environmental Impact of Agriculture

Intent of the process

Immediate need: 1 temporary position of an approximate duration of 2.5 years

A pool of qualified candidates may be established and may be used for similar permanent and temporary employment for the location indicated for this process.

In the event that an employee of the public service is qualified through this process, and there is a temporary need, he/she may be considered for acting or assignment/secondment opportunities.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

Contact information for 2 references.

You must meet all essential qualifications in order to be appointed to the position. Other qualifications may be a deciding factor in choosing the person to be appointed. Some essential and other qualifications will be assessed through your application. It is your responsibility to provide appropriate examples that illustrate how you meet each qualification. Failing to do so could result in your application being rejected.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

Graduation with an acceptable Master’s or Doctoral degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in biological sciences with a specialization in plant pathology or other specialization in a field relevant to the duties of the position.

Degree equivalency

Experience conducting research in plant pathology including culturing and production of inoculum from fungal cultures, isolation and identification of foliar pathogens, and assessing host plants for disease responses.
Experience with identification of plant pathogenic microorganisms using classical (microscopy, culturing) and DNA sequencing techniques.
Experience performing research on plant and environmental interactions.
Experience recognizing disease symptoms and applying rating scales to assess disease severity.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of plant pathogens of pulse crops.
Knowledge of pathogen isolation from plant materials, identification, cataloging and storage of pathogen specimens.
Knowledge of disease epidemiology and methods for quantifying inoculum potential and disease progression.
Knowledge of statistical analysis to develop models for environmental conditions leading to disease development.

Adaptability- Adapting in order to work effectively in changing situations, and with diverse individuals and groups.
Concern for Safety - Identifying hazardous or potentially hazardous situations and taking appropriate action to maintain a safe environment for self and others.
Problem Solving - Identifying problems and the solutions to them.
Teamwork - Working collaboratively with others to achieve organizational goals.

Ability to independently use scientific instruments and tools, and to apply scientific techniques and microbiological and molecular methods.
Ability to make observations, collect and record data accurately and interpret and analyze results.

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

Experience leading projects in a research or laboratory environment.
Recent* experience conducting research with Botrytis pathogens, including production of inoculum, greenhouse inoculations, assessment of disease and identification of fungal species infecting faba bean.

*Recent is defined as within approximately the last 3 years.

Selection may be limited to members of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women

Information on employment equity

Placement of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) employees affected by workforce adjustment.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Possession of a valid driver’s licence
Ability and willingness to work overtime including evenings and weekends.
Ability and willingness to work flexible hours.
Ability and willingness to control allergies, through the use of personal protective equipment and/or medication and this must not impinge upon the duties to be performed.
Ability and willingness to work in a laboratory and field environments.
Ability and willingness to work under various environmental and weather conditions.
Ability and willingness to work with hazardous materials.

Other information

Applications submitted by email will not be accepted. You must apply on-line through www.jobs.gc.ca.

Persons with disabilities preventing them from applying on-line are asked to contact 1-800-645-5605.

Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice. Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred official language in their application.

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 include an email address that accepts email from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email).

All communication relating to this process, including email correspondence, may be used in the assessment of qualifications.

Appointment decisions may be based on one or more of the following criteria:
- Matching of the individual's experience or qualifications to the strengths and weaknesses of the work team.
- Matching of the individual's experience or qualifications to the specific duties of the position being staffed.
- Depth, breadth, type of work-specific experience.
- Level/degree of one or more competencies/qualifications.

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled, diverse workforce reflective of Canadian society. As a result, it promotes employment equity and encourages candidates to indicate voluntarily on their application if they are a woman, an Aboriginal person, a person with a disability or a member of a visible minority group.

The Public Service of Canada is also committed to developing inclusive, barrier-free selection processes and work environments. If contacted in relation to a job opportunity or testing, you should advise the Public Service Commission or the departmental official in a timely fashion of the accommodation measures which must be taken to enable you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans and to Canadian citizens, in that order.

Information on the preference to veterans

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