Research Scientist - Systems Agro-Ecologist

Duties

We are seeking a research scientist with significant expertise and experience to design and lead a research program on assessing/quantifying agro-ecosystem services including: environmentally sound production of food; assessing and mitigating the impacts of climate change and new agricultural practices on soil quality, water utilization and crops; and supporting ecosystem regulation of nutrient, carbon and hydrological cycles in irrigated and non-irrigated production systems.

This will include: providing an integrated view of the ecosystem itself, and interactions with the broader environment; incorporating an ecological understanding to promote agricultural productivity while fostering long-term environmental health (e.g. reducing greenhouse gas emissions, minimizing water use and pollution, avoiding soil degradation, preserving biodiversity); and identifying pathways to improve adaptation and resilience to climate variability.

The successful candidate will provide scientific advice and transfer technology to partners and clients that will assist the agriculture industry in the mitigation of threats against the economic viability of crop production and the environmental health of British Columbia agro-ecosystems.

The research scientisty will interact with a broad range of scientists within either semi-arid or coastal ecosystems and peers across the country and internationally in the areas of ecosystem services, soil fertility and plant nutrition, soil conservation, agronomy, plant pathology, entomology, crop physiology, and other related ecological disciplines.

This position will enhance our understanding of the implications of management decisions through the generation of local systems data. The end goal is to broaden our understanding of agro-ecological drivers and to help to strengthen sustainability and profitability within the industry.

Work environment

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 Summerland Research and Development Centre (SuRDC) invites applications for a Research Scientist position with specialization in Systems Agro-Ecology. The Centre, located in Summerland BC (Okanagan Region), conducts world-class research in the area of sustainable production of high-value horticultural crops.

The incumbent will be part of a multidisciplinary team of scientists, working with state-of-the-art laboratories and research field sites. The incumbent will have the opportunity to collaborate closely with stakeholders, academia and industry.

Research scientists have access to competitive core and external funding opportunities, and are supported by technical and administrative staff. Research scientists may seek university affiliation and co-supervise graduate students.

Intent of the process

The intent of this process is to fill immediately one (1) indeterminate full time position in Summerland (British Columbia). The Agassiz (British Columbia) location is anticipatory.
A pool of qualified candidates may be established and may be used for similar permanent and temporary employment for the locations 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 institution in the field of horticulture, agronomy, forestry, terrestrial ecology, soil science, farming systems, agro-ecosystem modelling or a relevant ecological discipline.

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.

Degree equivalency

Experience with the design and conduct of scientific research related to terrestrial ecosystems or other relevant ecological processes that underpin the capacity of an agro-ecosystem to provide goods and services.

Experience collecting, analyzing and interpreting agro-ecological data related to how ecological relationships are interwoven among biota, processes and their surroundings relevant to Canadian agriculture.

Experience working on a multi-disciplinary team.

Documented scientific productivity/recognition in the form of authorship/editorship of research results in recognized scientific journals, and published reports, books, papers, or other communications resulting from scientific research in relevant disciplines.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of fundamental ecosystem processes and drivers influencing agro-ecosystem sustainability.

Knowledge of soil-plant-animal-environment interactions in agro-ecosystems.

Knowledge of integrated crop management strategies influencing the economic viability and sustainability of agro-ecosystems.

Interactive Communication
Teamwork
Adaptability
Intellectual Leadership

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

Experience writing grant applications.

Experience managing multi-year projects with associated human resource, budgetary, and planning functions.

Experience working with benefits obtained from the regulation of ecosystem processes.

Experience conducting experimental plot and field research in commercial field crops.

Experience in modelling of soil and plant systems and processes in agro-ecosystems.

Experience interacting with industry and other stakeholders to garner support and research direction.

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 license.

Ability and willingness to travel.

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

Ability and willingness to work in various environmental and weather conditions.

Ability and willingness to work in laboratory, greenhouse, and/or field environments for extended periods at a time.

Ability and willingness to work with chemicals and pesticides.

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.