Biologist

Duties

Under the supervision of a Project Lead, conduct experiments on clubroot or blackleg of canola, including disease resistance mechanisms, R-gene deployment strategies or developing genetic resources for disease resistance. The incumbent is expected to use a range of ‘omics’ approaches and fluorescence microscopy to help understand plant-pathogen interactions, especially for the identification of unique resistance action modes and useful markers associated with the resistance or identification/mapping R genes and discovering SNP markers through next-generation sequencing. The incumbent is also expected to provide substantial inputs into experimental planning/implementation, including supervision of co-op/summer students on the project. The duty also includes data collection and analysis, and the preparation of study summaries/reports as well as drafts for scientific manuscript.

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

Immediate staffing need: 3 full time temporary positions, each for a 12 month 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: 3

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 pathology, plant science, biology, or a related field.

Degree equivalency

Experience conducting experiments in plant pathology, physiology, or genetics.
Experience in next-generation sequencing, including sample preparation and data processing.
Experience using molecular markers for marker-assisted selection.

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

Graduation from a recognized post-secondary institution with a master’s degree or PhD with specialization in plant pathology, plant science, biology, or a related field.

Degree equivalency

Experience preparing project summaries/reports/scientific manuscripts.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of next generation sequencing for plant pathology research.
Knowledge of plant-pathogen interactions.

Adaptability
Initiative
Interactive Communication
Teamwork

Ability to carry out plant pathology/genetics experiments.
Ability to design experiments.
Ability to carry out data analysis.

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 workforce adjustment.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Ability and willingness to control allergies, through the use of personal protective equipment and/or medication and this must not impinge upon the duties to be performed.
Ability and willingness to work in laboratory and greenhouse environments.
Ability and willingness to work with hazardous materials, using personal protective equipment, including lab chemicals and pesticides.

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.