Research Assistant – Cereal Molecular Breeding

Duties

The individual carries out the crossing of wheat plants to create hybrids. Grows wheat plants for seed increase and maintains plant and seed collections. Working in the laboratory, the individual will extract and quantify nucleic acids from plant samples and perform plant trait-nucleic analysis. The individual, working within the cereal breeding group, evaluates wheat breeding materials for agronomic performance and reactions to fungal pathogens. The individual works with the research scientist conducting data analysis and contribute to the production of presentations, reports, and publications. The research activities are carried out in field, greenhouse and laboratory environments.

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

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 a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in one of the following fields: Plant Biology/Plant Agriculture or Crop Science; Environmental Science; Biology; or a related agricultural program.

Degree equivalency

Experience providing technical support in a research, laboratory and field environment.

Experience collecting and performing analysis on plant and/or grain samples.

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

Bachelor’s degree in plant science/Agriculture

Degree equivalency

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of laboratory and field methodologies, theories and practices related to research in biological and agricultural sciences related to crop plants.

Initiative
Adaptability
Interactive Communication
Teamwork
Concern for Safety

Ability to use scientific instruments and tools, and to apply and to adapt scientific techniques and methodologies.

Ability to make observations, collect and record data accurately, and interpret and analyze results.

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

Knowledge of plant molecular markers

Knowledge of marker assisted breeding

Knowledge of nucleic acid sequencing

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

Information on employment equity

In support of achieving a diversified workforce, consideration may be given to candidates self-identifying as belonging to one of the following employment equity groups: aboriginal peoples, persons with a disability; visible minorities, women.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Valid Driver’s license

Ability and willingness to work overtime

Ability and willingness to travel

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.

With appropriate safety precautions in place, able and willing to work in laboratory, greenhouse, field environments for extended periods at a time; and under normal safety precautions able and willing to work with hazardous materials.

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.