Biologist

Duties

The successful candidate will be part of a research team that applies genomics and genetics to understand the molecular interaction between plants and pathogens with specific focus on fungal disease of Brassica napus (canola). The main duties for this position include using existing canola populations and generating new crosses to genetically map at high resolution the location of and clone race specific and quantitative resistance genes against blackleg disease. In parallel and to better understand the host-pathogen interaction, the incumbent will be required to conduct genomic research of the blackleg pathogen, which involves next-generation sequencing of genomes and transcriptomes, genome assembly and annotation, RNA-Seq analysis and comparative genomics by exploiting existing genome databases. Other duties include contributing to the preparation of scientific manuscripts and project reports.

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

1 full time temporary position for a 2 year duration

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.

In the event that an employee of the public service is qualified through this process, and there is a temporary need, he/she may be considered for acting or assignment/secondment opportunities.

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 with specialization in plant biology, molecular biology or another specialty relevant to the position.

Degree equivalency

Experience in gene expression analysis using RNA-Seq.
Experience in genome assembly and annotation.
Experience mapping and cloning quantitative trait loci.
Experience in plant pathogen genomics.

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

Graduation with an acceptable post-graduate degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with a specialization in plant molecular biology or a related field.

Degree equivalency

Experience in analysis of next generation sequence data.
Experience in canola pathology.
Experience in Brassica genetics and genomics.
Experience in ddPCR.
Experience working in a multi-disciplinary team.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of canola pathology.
Knowledge of computer software packages related to sequence analysis and bioinformatics.
Knowledge of plant molecular biology techniques and principles.

Adaptability
Analytical Thinking
Initiative
Planning & Organizing

Ability to create progress reports and publications, and present and communicate data.

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

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

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.