Research Scientist - Rumen Microbiology

Important messages

Please note you must apply online, as there is a screening questionnaire that needs to be completed. We will not be accepting applications by email. Thank you.

Duties

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 Sherbrooke Research and Development Centre (Sherbrooke RDC) invites applications for a Research Scientist position with specialization in rumen microbiology.

The research projects on rumen microbiology of dairy cattle carried out at Sherbrooke RDC are recognized internationally, and are designed to develop livestock production practices and tools that dairy producers can use to improve feed utilization efficiency, enhance dairy cattle welfare and longevity and reduce environmental releases. The incumbent’s research will focus on understanding the factors that influence microbial populations present in ruminants and their respective activities.

The successful candidate will be required to prepare research proposals and secure the funding required to conduct the research, and co-ordinate and supervise research projects to study factors aimed at maximizing the efficiency of microbial populations in ruminants in order to improve host health and nutrient use. These projects will require the ability to plan and manage experiments and manage technical personnel working in the laboratory and in the barn, analyze statistics and draft scientific and technical publications.

Work environment

For the Sherbrooke location:

The incumbent will be working on a multidisciplinary team with expertise in animal production, nutrition, microbiology, molecular biology and technology transfer. The successful candidate will have access to research laboratories, laboratory equipment and the dairy centre. The incumbent will be supported by highly-skilled technical staff in fulfilling his/her mandate. Research scientists have access to significant core and competitive funding opportunities. Because French is the language used in the workplace for Sherbrooke (Québec), the incumbent must have solid French language skills, written and spoken. The incumbent will have the opportunity to work with colleagues from academia, government and industry and with other stakeholders to maintain the research program’s direction. Research scientists are encouraged to seek university affiliation and co-supervise graduate students.

For the Lethbridge location:

The incumbent will be working on a multidisciplinary team with expertise in animal production, nutrition, microbiology, molecular biology and technology transfer. The successful candidate will have access to research laboratories, laboratory equipment and the beef farm. The incumbent will be supported by highly-skilled technical staff in fulfilling his/her mandate. Research scientists have access to significant core and competitive funding opportunities. Because English is the language used in the workplace for Lethbridge (Alberta), the incumbent must have solid English language skills, written and spoken. The incumbent will have the opportunity to work with colleagues from academia, government and industry and with other stakeholders to maintain the research program’s direction. Research scientists are encouraged to seek university affiliation and co-supervise graduate students.

Intent of the process

The intent of this process is to fill one (1) indeterminate full time position for the Sherbrooke (Quebec) location. The position for Lethbridge (Alberta) 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 a doctoral degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in rumen microbiology. Candidates with an acceptable doctoral degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in animal sciences and post-doctoral experience in rumen microbiology will also be considered.

Note: Applications will be accepted from candidates who are enrolled in but have not yet completed a PhD program. However, the thesis defence will have to be completed and the doctoral degree awarded before the successful candidate is appointed.

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. For more details, please click on the link "Degree equivalency" below.

Degree equivalency

Experience in research pertaining to studies on rumen microbial populations and their activity.

Experience in metagenomics and/or metabolomics research on microbial populations.

Experience in planning, designing and managing scientific research projects on ruminants.

Experience in publishing research results in full manuscripts, in recognized scientific journals.

Experience working in multi-disciplinary teams.

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

Experience in publishing research results in technology transfer journals, on innovations in order to advise dairy producers, industry partners and other stakeholders (agronomists, veterinarians, etc.).

Experience in writing grant proposals and research reports.

Experience in planning and managing multi-disciplinary, multi-year projects involving tasks related to the management of human resources, research infrastructure and budgets.

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

Various language requirements
Bilingual imperative BBB/BBB for the Sherbrooke (Quebec) position;
English Essential for the Lethbridge (Alberta) position.

Information on language requirements

Second Language Writing Skills Self-Assessment
In order to help you decide if you should apply to a bilingual position, an optional self-assessment of your writing skills in your second official language is available for you to take before completing your application.

For more information, please consult:
Unsupervised Internet Test of Second Language Writing Skills

Knowledge of current practices and main players in cattle production (beef or dairy).

Knowledge of problems in cattle production (beef or dairy) and the challenges of improving current practices.

Knowledge of factors that influence microbial populations in the rumen and their impact on the host.

Knowledge of the digestive physiology of cattle (beef or dairy).

Knowledge of the main techniques for assessing the various rumen microbial populations and their respective activities.

Interactive Communication
Teamwork
Creativity
Intellectual Leadership

Ability to make scientific presentations to varied audiences.

Ability to design, develop, plan, successfully implement, conduct, complete and report on research projects.

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

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 licence or personal mobility to the degree normally associated with a valid driver’s licence.

Ability and willingness to travel.

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

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.