Research Scientist: Immunology and Dairy Health

Duties

On behalf of the Government of Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) provides leadership in the growth and development of a competitive, innovative and sustainable Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector. Within this context, the Sherbrooke Research and Development Centre (Sherbrooke RDC) invites applications for a Research Scientist position with specialization in dairy cattle immunology.

Research projects in dairy cattle health conducted at Sherbrooke RDC in Quebec are recognized worldwide and are designed to develop husbandry practices and tools that will enable dairy farmers to reduce disease risks, reduce antibiotic utilisation and improve the wellbeing and longevity of dairy cattle. The incumbent’s research will focus on understanding the bovine immune system and husbandry practices with a potential impact on it. Expertise may also be brought to bear on developing tools, such as vaccines, for improving resistance to certain diseases.

The successful candidate will be required to draft research proposals and obtain the funding needed for the work, as well as coordinating and supervising research projects on disease prevention in dairy cattle. These projects will demand planning and management of experiments and management of the technical staff assigned to the work, both in the laboratory and on the farm, statistical analysis of data and the drafting of scientific and technical publications.

Work environment

The incumbent will work within a multidisciplinary team with expertise in animal production, nutrition, microbiology, molecular biology, and technology transfer. The successful candidate will have access to research laboratories, including facilities for analysing immune cell functionality, conducting microbiological analyses and performing experimental infections, and will have access to the dairy centre. The incumbent will be supported by a highly qualified technical staff in the pursuit of the mandate. Research scientists have access to basic and competitive funding opportunities. Since the working language is bilingual, the incumbent must have a thorough mastery of spoken and written French and English. The incumbent will have opportunities to work with colleagues in universities, government and industry, and with other stakeholders to sustain and direct research programs. Research Scientists are encouraged to seek university affiliation and co-supervise graduate students.

Intent of the process

The intent of this process is to fill one (1) indeterminate full time 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 an acceptable doctoral degree from a recognized post-secondary instituation in immunology. Candidates with an acceptable doctoral degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in animal physiology or microbiology who have post-doctoral experience in immunology will also be considered.

NB: Applications from persons enrolled in a doctoral program but who have yet to complete it will be considered. However, the thesis must have been defended and the doctoral degree awarded before appointment.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Please be advised that if you were educated outside of Canada, you must have your certificates and/or diplomas assessed against Canadian education standards. You are encouraged to begin this process as soon as possible. For more details, please click on the link "Degree equivalency" below.

Degree equivalency

Experience in planning, designing and directing scientific research projects on large animals;

Experience in immune response studies on infectious agents;

Research experience in molecular and cell biology and immunology;

Experience in publishing research results in recognized scientific journals, technology transfer regarding innovations and advising dairy producers, industry partners and other stakeholders (agronomists, veterinarians, etc).

Work experience in multidisciplinary teams.

If you possess any of the following, your application must also clearly explain how you meet it (other qualifications)

Research experience in udder health, factors modulating immune response and vaccine development;

Experience in writing grant applications and research reports;

Experience in planning and managing multidisciplinary and multi-year projects involving functions related to management of human resources, research infrastructure and budgets.

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

Bilingual - Imperative (BBB/BBB)

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of current practices, key problems and the main players in dairy production;

Knowledge of the health issues of dairy cattle and the challenges of improving current practices in dairy production;

Knowledge of immune response to bacterial pathogens in cattle;

Knowledge of dairy cattle physiology;

Knowledge of the main techniques for evaluating immune response.

Interactive communication
Team work
Creativity

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

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 work force adjustment.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Possession of a valid driver’s licence or personal mobility to the degree normally associated with a valid driver’s licence.

Ability and willingness to travel.

Ability and willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.

Other information

The classification level and rate of pay on appointment is commensurate with the successful candidate's qualifications.

Salary ranges (under review):
SE-RES-01 - $53,161 - $69,942
SE-RES-02 - $66,010 - $98,880
SE-RES-03 - $83,421 - $109,760
SE-RES-04 - $99,904 - $121,834
SE-RES-05 - $109,390 - $133,410

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.

Reference checks may be sought.

An interview may be administered.

A test may be administered.

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada thanks all those who apply.

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.