Research Assistant – Apiculture Laboratory

Duties

- Maintain complete and accurate laboratory records. Record experimental protocols, research data and results.
- Monitor for honey bee pests and diseases, and applying antibiotics and acaricides to honey bee colonies.
- Macroscopic, microscopic, and molecular identification of bee pests and parasites.
- Culture of micro-organisms
- Ensure samples are catalogued, stored, analysed, and disposed according to protocol and safety guidelines.
- Assist with drafting SOPs, and reports.
- Identify inconsistencies and efficiencies and recommend improvement to established protocols and procedures.
- Provide regular service/keep equipment operational; report problems/deficiencies immediately.
- Maintain supply inventories ensuring critical materials are always in stock.
- Under Scientist direction, perform collaborative duties with the National Bee diagnostic Centre at the Beaverlodge Research Farm.
- Participates in training and supervision of summer and co-op students, demonstrate equipment use and safety procedures.
- Coordinate and schedule shared use of lab equipment
- Evaluate and sample honey bee colonies for experimental purposes.
- Other duties as assigned by Scientist

Work environment

As one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, AAFC is proud to celebrate our achievement in creating a diverse, respectful, and positive workplace where all employees are valued and recognized for their unique qualities, ideas, voices and perspectives.

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 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)

Degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in one of the following fields: Biochemistry, Biology, Entomology, Agriculture, or related Biology program.

Degree equivalency

Experience in a research or diagnostic laboratory.
Experience with Molecular Biology techniques.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of honey bee diseases, parasites and pests.

Adaptability
Concern for Safety
Interactive Communication
Problem Solving
Teamwork

Ability to use laboratory instruments and tools.
Ability to make observations, collect and record data accurately.

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

Graduate degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in one of the following fields: Biochemistry, Biology; Animal Science; Entomology; or a related biological program.

Degree equivalency

Experience managing a research laboratory, and coordinating maintenance of laboratory equipment.
Experience working in a level 2 Bio-Hazard Containment laboratory.
Experience working in a high throughput laboratory.
Experience using genomics, transcriptomics and/or metabolomics analyses.
Experience in diagnostic of honey bee diseases, parasites and pests.

Knowledge of beekeeping practices and management of honey bee colonies.

Ability to summarize data and assist in drafting scientific papers.

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 license.
Ability and willingness to travel.
Ability and willingness to work overtime including evenings and weekends.
Ability and willingness to control allergies, through the use of personal protective equipment and/or medication without impinging on the duties to be performed.
Ability and willingness to work with chemical reagents used in the laboratory and to treat honey bee diseases and mites.
Ability and willingness to work under various environmental and weather conditions.
Ability and willingness to tolerate honey bee stings.
Ability and willingness to work in a laboratory environment.
Ability and willingness to work on a Biosafety Containment level 2 laboratory and strictly follow SOPs.

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.