Plant Analytical Biochemistry Technician

Duties

To maintain a modern plant biochemistry and photosynthesis research laboratory.
To maintain and practice standard laboratory safety procedures.
To generate, maintain and test plant materials using a variety of chemical, biochemical and biophysical tests using a wide array of analytical instrumentation.
To carry out experiments in a modern plant biochemistry and photosynthesis research laboratory.
To collect, maintain, analyse and interpret results.
To modify and develop experimental procedures.
To generate, maintain and test plant materials in the field and Controlled Environment Growth Facilities.
To communicate and consult with collaborators, write technical reports and contribute to publications.

Work environment

Science and Technology Branch, Ottawa Research and Development Centre, Central Experimental Farm. The incumbent will work in plant biochemistry and photosynthesis research laboratory and in either controlled environment growth facilities (growth chambers and greenhouses) or field conditions. Research activities will focus on soybeans, wheat, and corn.

Intent of the process

The immediate intent of this selection process is to appoint 1 indeterminate position.

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.

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 a degree from a recognized Post-Secondary institution in chemistry or biochemistry Or an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

Degree equivalency

Experience in designing, planning and conducting laboratory and plant experiments in controlled environment growth facilities and developing methodologies/tools.

Experience in collecting, performing analysis on plant samples and analyzing/interpreting data using statistical analysis.

Experience in planning and setting up chemistry/biochemistry experiments.

Experience with enzyme kinetics, properties and assay development.

Experience in managing day to day laboratory operations, implementing multiple project goals, coordinating and designating work to personal.

Experience with HPLC method development for the analysis of simple sugars, pigments and oligo saccharides, troubleshooting, calibration and maintenance.

Experience in conducting photosynthetic measurements using chlorophyll fluorometers and CO2 gas analyzers.

Significant *experience in analyzing and modifying biological material using chemical, biochemical methods.
Significant *experience with chemical instrumentation such as HPLC and UV-Vis spectroscopy.

*Significant experience is defined as the depth and breadth of the experience normally associated with having performed a broad range of various, complex related activities on a full time basis for a period of 4 years.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of the basics of chemistry, biochemistry and enzymology.

Knowledge of basic principles of photosynthesis.

Interactive Communications.
Planning and Organizing.
Teamwork.
Initiative.

Ability to make observations, collect and record data accurately and interpret and analyze results.

Ability to develop and troubleshoot experimental protocols.

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

Graduation with a degree from a Master’s program or a PhD from a recognised post-secondary institution in Chemistry or Biochemistry.

Degree equivalency

Experience in multivariate analysis using principal component analysis of large datasets using statistical software.

Experience working with HPLC coupled with ELSD, UV-Vis and DAD.

Experience in conducting colorimetric assays of surgars, antioxidants and enzyme coupled assays for carbohydrate analysis using UV-Vis spectroscopy.

Experience with high throughput assay development and high throughput screening of plant material.

Experience using photosynthesis measurement equipment such as LICOR LI-6400XT and Walz MINI-PAM, PAM 100.

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

Information on employment equity

(Choose one):

Preference may be given to AAFC employees affected by workforce adjustment.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance - AS REQUIRED

Known allergies must be controlled through use of protective mask and/or medication and must not impinge on tasks to be performed

Potential exposure to dust, pollen, excessive noise, hot and humid environments, bending and reaching, standing for long periods of time, toxic fumes and chemical reagents found in standard chemistry/biochemistry laboratory, greenhouses, growth chambers and field conditions.

Ability and willingness to frequent work with strong acids and hazardous materials requiring extra precautions
Ability and willingness to perform repetitive motion
Ability and willingness to stand for long periods of time
Ability and willingness to lift and carry materials and equipment up to 20 kg.
Ability and willingness to work overtime
Ability and willingness to work flexible and irregular hours.
Ability and willingness to work in a laboratory, greenhouse, and field conditions.
Ability and willingness to undertake work-related training.

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.