Research Scientist in Environmental Radiochemistry (ANTICIPATORY)

Duties

The successful candidate will be working in the Radiation Surveillance Division (RSD) of the Radiation Protection Bureau (RPB). This Division is responsible for the measurement and characterization of radioactivity in the environment and for the dissemination of that information to stake holders. This information is used as the physical basis of risk assessment, to support international nuclear non-proliferation efforts and for the management of risks to human health and security.

A research scientist with significant expertise in radiochemistry is sought to develop and lead the research activities of the RSD National Monitoring Section (NMS). The mandate of the NMS is to characterize radiation in the environment both on a routine basis and in the event of a radiological emergency. To do so, the NMS operates the Canadian Radiological Monitoring Network (CRMN), performs targeted environmental studies, and operates a state-of-the art laboratory for radionuclide characterization. To fulfill this mandate, and to ensure that the NMS maintains its value as a unique resource, the NMS is conducting strategic research. The successful candidate would lead and coordinate these research activities. They include: Advance analysis (and publication) of environmental monitoring data, improving environmental monitoring activities, design of targeted environmental studies and implementation and development of relevant radiochemistry techniques.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work closely with a multidisciplinary group of scientists working on environmental radiation monitoring. Furthermore, he/she will work with stakeholders from industry, academia, government and others to maintain a strong program direction and will communicate the research results through peer-reviewed publications and presentations.

Intent of the process

This is an anticipatory process to create a pool of qualified candidates to staff future vacancie(s). This selection process may be used to staff similar positions at this group and level with various linguistic profiles and security requirements, conditions of employment as well as various tenures (such as Indeterminate, Specified Period, Acting, Deployment, Assignment and Secondment) across Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter in 4,000 words (maximum) "It is the responsibility of the candidate to submit a cover letter, which clearly outlines how they meet each of the screening criteria (i.e. Education and Experience Qualifications, both Essential and Assets). Please note that it is not sufficient to only state that the requirement is met or to provide a listing of current or past responsibilities. Candidates must use the education and experience factors as a header and provide a description outlining how that criterion is met. Candidates must provide concrete examples that demonstrate their past experience, activities or accomplishments, which best illustrate how they meet the requirement. This information will be used for screening purposes. Resumes may be used as a secondary source to validate the experience described in the covering letter. Failure to provide an appropriate cover letter may result in the application being rejected from the process. Candidates will not be solicited for incomplete or possible missing information."

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)

Education (essential):
Graduation with an acceptable doctoral degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in a field of Chemistry or some other specialty related to the position, or the employer-approved alternative for the SE classification. (See Note 1).
Note:
1. The employer-approved alternative for the SE classification is an acceptable, master's or bachelor's degree coupled with acceptable research, training and experience. The degree must be from a recognized post-secondary institution and in scientific fields and specialties related to the duties of the position. The training and experience must clearly demonstrate the ability to do personal research of doctoral degree calibre.

Degree equivalency

Experience (essential):

- At least 5 years of experience in the design, development and implementation of radiochemistry methods aimed at quantifying radiological content in environmental matrices.
- At least 5 years of experience in separations chemistry as it pertains to the speciation, isolation and purification of a diverse array of elements from complex mixture.
- At least 5 years of experience using High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC), gas proportional counter (GPC), liquid scintillation counting (LSC) and alpha spectroscopy.
- Experience in the design and the conduct of scientific studies related to environmental s radiation monitoring.
- Experience in the management of the operations of a research laboratory, including personnel and financial management.
- Significant* experience in publishing peer-reviewed scientific papers in field related to chemistry or environmental radiation monitoring.
- Experience in preparing comprehensive proposals for research funding.

*For the purpose of this process the word significant means the publication of at least 10 peer-reviewed publications in scientific journals with at least 5 as first author.

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

Experience (Asset):

- Experience in gamma spectroscopy and the use of gamma spectroscopy instrumentation.
- Experience working with a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
- Experience in Monte Carlo simulation.

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

Various language requirements
English essential
Bilingue impératif BBB/BBB
Bilingue impératif CBC/CBC

Information on language requirements

Knowledge (essential):

- Knowledge of the science of ionizing radiation detection.
- Knowledge of the science of modern radiochemistry methods.
- Knowledge of statistics and data analysis principle.

Abilities (essential):

- Ability to analyze and evaluate research data as it relates to radiochemistry methods.
- Ability to effectively plan and conduct research studies.
- Ability to lead multi-disciplinary collaborative research teams
- Ability to present research results to diverse audiences.
- Ability to communicate effectively orally
- Ability to communicate effectively in writing

Personal Suitability (essential):

Respectful of diversity
Initiative
Judgement
Effective interpersonal relationships

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

Education (asset):

- Post-doctoral training with specialization in Radiochemistry.

Degree equivalency

Operational Requirement:
- Willing to work in "wet" labs with hazardous substances.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Other information

Salary on appointment will be commensurate with qualifications.

Reference checks may be sought.

An interview may be administered.

A written examination may be administered.

Acknowledgment of receipt of applications will not be sent; we will contact candidates when the screening process is completed.

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.