Research Scientist – Environmental Microbiology

Duties

The incumbent will lead and develop bacteriology-based research programs to research issues impacting agriculture, particularly caused by enteric bacteria that are virulent, and/or carry antibiotic resistance determinants.

The incumbent will plan and conduct original research to advance knowledge and apply new information towards understanding and managing the development and transmission of antibiotic resistance through the agriculture and agri-food chain. The incumbent will analyze and interpret data from experiments and communicate research findings at local, national and international scientific conferences, workshops and symposia.

The Centre, located in London (Ontario), is part of a program of world-class research and competitive funding in the area of sustainable production systems. The incumbent will be part of a multidisciplinary team conducting research on antibiotic resistance in the major food animal production systems and broader agroecosystems.

Work environment

The London Research and Development Centre (London RDC) is one of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's (AAFC) network of 20 research and development centres. The London RDC conducts research on field crops, bio-based products and processes, genomics and biotechnology, and integrated pest management. It also has a support role in research on air, water and nutrients.

The London RDC brings a long-term commitment in crop protection research to the
agri-food industry in southern Ontario. Scientists develop alternative and environmentally acceptable technologies to protect crops from diseases and
insects, and develop/use genomic tools and bioprocesses for value-added crop production.

Intent of the process

The intent of this process is to fill one (1) indeterminate full time position in London, Ontario. 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 institution in a field of natural sciences with a specialization related to the duties of the position, such as any of the following:
• Genetics
• Microbiology
• Biochemistry
• Molecular biology

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 in the design and conduct of scientific research specifically related to environmental microbiology related to agriculture or public health.

Experience working with the antibiotic resistant bacteria.

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

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

Experience working on a multi-disciplinary science team.

Experience with Science based technology transfer to industry partners.

Experience working with the ecology, genetics, or biochemistry of antibiotic mechanism of action or antibiotic resistance.

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

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

Experience in writing grant applications.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of microbiology relevant to human and animal health, food safety and environmental quality.

Knowledge of methods to characterize and quantify bacteria and related functions.

Knowledge of the genetic basis for antimicrobial resistance and virulence potential of bacterial pathogens.

Interactive communication
Teamwork
Adaptability

Ability to make presentations to various audiences.

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

Team leadership

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 or personal mobility to the extent normally associated with the 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 laboratory, greenhouse and/or field environments for extended periods of time.

Ability and willingness to work outdoors under various weather conditions.

Ability and willingness to work with hazardous materials.

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.

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.