Research Assistant – Plant Breeding (Winter wheat)

Duties

Under the supervision of a Research Scientist the duties will include:

Setting up of seed for field planting, including treating seed, preparation of tests for multiple locations, arranging seed in planting order, organise various nurseries, packing, shipping to various locations. Seeding of various types of plots (yield, bulk rows, head rows, etc.) using tractor and specialized seeders. Staking of breeding plots in the field, maintaining plots, mowing pathways, roguing off types. Collecting various agronomic data from the field (yield, height, heading days, maturity, lodging, disease and insect damage, etc.). Carrying out specific agronomic treatments in experiments (e.g.: herbicide, fungicide and fertilizer treatments, growth regulators, etc.). Preparing for harvesting of grain plots, including: labelling bags, arranging them in harvest order etc. Harvesting heads, rows and small plots using head threshers, stationary combines and plot combines. Arranging of seed in test order, weighing, cleaning and collecting grain data (test weight, thousand kernel weight, falling number, and protein concentration). Analyzing of data using breeding program software and other statistical packages, and assist in interpreting results and generating reports based on the analysis. Setting up of seed for indoor planting of seed increases, crossing blocks and transplanting into field settings. Ability to complete emasculations and cross pollinations in order complete crossing blocks to generate new winter wheat germplasm. Maintenance of plants in greenhouse and growth rooms. Assists in developing new protocols and modifying existing protocols. Organization and cataloging of seed using software. Maintenance of seed collections. Responsible for hiring, training and supervision of student and casual labour. Maintenance of equipment and purchasing equipment for the program. Other plant breeding related duties as required.

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 full time permanent 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.

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 3 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)

B. Sc. Degree or diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in Agriculture, Plant Biology, Genetics, or other acceptable specialization relevant to the position.

Degree equivalency

Experience operating field equipment such as tractors, plot seeders, combines, sprayers, mowers and small implements attached to a tractor.
Experience maintaining plants in a greenhouse or growth room.
Experience conducting field crop experiments.
Experience working with Microsoft Office and other computer software programs, such as scientific software programs, field plot design, and basic statistical analysis.

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

Experience loading/unloading and hauling of field equipment on flatbed trailers.
Recent* experience in the emasculation and controlled pollination of plants, preferably cereals.

*Recent experience is defined as experience gained within approximately the last 5 years.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of plant breeding or crop research related field operations.

Adaptability - Adapting in order to work effectively in ambiguous or changing situations, and with diverse individuals and groups.
Interactive Communication - Listening to others and communicating articulately, fostering open communication.
Teamwork - Working collaboratively with others to achieve organizational goals
Planning and Organizing- Developing, implementing, evaluating and adjusting plans to reach goals, while ensuring the optimal use of resources.
Initiative - Dealing with situations and issues proactively and persistently, seizing opportunities that arise.
Problem Solving - Recognises when and where errors may occur and with appropriate input seek solutions to avoid future similar situations.
Concern for Safety - Identifying hazardous or potentially hazardous situations and taking appropriate action to maintain a safe environment for self and others.

Ability to provide technical support in a plant breeding or crop research environment.
Ability in the use of scientific instruments and tools and to apply and adapt scientific techniques and methodologies.
Ability in making observations, collecting and recording data accurately and interpreting and analyzing results on large numbers of samples in a high throughput manner.

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

Ability to supervise and train.

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

Information on employment equity

Ability and willingness to work flexible and overtime hours at peak times throughout the year, particularly from July to mid-October.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Possession of a valid driver's licence
Known allergies must be controlled through the use of personal protective equipment and/or medication and must not impinge upon the duties to be performed.
Ability and willingness to perform physically demanding work activities including moderate to heavy manual labour requiring bending and lifting objects (up to 25 kg).
Ability and willingness to work with hazardous materials (chemicals and pesticides).
Ability and willingness to work in field environments, greenhouse and laboratory for extended periods at a time.
Ability and willingness to work under various environmental and weather conditions (ex, hot, cold, wet, dry).
Ability and willingness to work with chemicals and pesticides.

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.