Analytical Chemist – Mass Spectrometry Specialist

Duties

The successful candidate for this position should provide expertise in the area of mass spectrometry to several research projects looking into food safety and food attributes of various foods/commodities which are the two research areas identified in the centre profile/strategic directions, i.e. addressing food safety threats and mitigation strategies and improving attributes of agricultural commodities through innovation. Specifically, the successful candidate will assist in the identification of compounds/molecules based on mass characteristics using high-tech analytical technologies.

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.

Located in Guelph, Ontario, the Centre specializes in food safety, quality and nutrition, and is committed to ensuring that food produced in Canada continues to be among the safest and of the highest quality in the world.

The Guelph Research and Development Centre was established in 1997, with the intent to put in place a federal capacity in food research at the heart of the largest Canadian concentration of expertise and infrastructures dedicated to food research and development. The Guelph Research and Development Centre supports a sustainable and profitable agri-food sector in Canada by carrying out world class research in food safety and quality, proactively mitigating food safety threats as well as generating fundamental and applied knowledge that enable the Canadian agri-food sector to develop health promoting food that respond to consumer needs, whereby generating added value throughout the food chain.

Research covers all aspects of food production, from the field to the fork. In addition to its focus on food quality and safety, much of the centre's work is exploring the potential for conventional foods to offer nutritional and other therapeutic benefits. Scientists are also developing innovative methods to reduce food-borne biological and chemical hazards that may be present in farm commodities, fresh market and processed foods.

The research focus at Guelph RDC falls under two main areas that recognize the overarching influence of environmental change on food safety and health attributes of foods.

Research Areas:
•Addressing food safety threats and mitigation strategies
•Improving attributes of agricultural commodities through innovation

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 with specialization in chemistry.

Degree equivalency

Experience in managing the activities of a chemistry laboratory, including supervision and training of students and junior staff.

Experience in operating and maintaining an LC-MS/MS system

Experience using mass spectrometry methods for biological applications

Experience in analysis and characterization of known and unknown phytochemicals and other food bioactives and metabolites

Experience in troubleshooting common problems arising during routine chromatography analyses

Experience writing peer reviewed publications

Experience in the preparation of reports, in data collection and in data analysis

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

Graduation with a Master or a PhD degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in a natural, physical or applied science with specialization in a field relevant to the duties of the position.

Degree equivalency

Experience in metabolomics and proteomics

Experience with the characterization of metabolites

Experience working on a multi-disciplinary science team

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge in structural elucidation of compounds from mass spectrometry data.

Adaptability
Initiative
Teamwork
Interactive Communication
Problem solving

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

Knowledge of computer software, platforms and databases used in metabolomics and proteomics.

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

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 and/or field environments for extended periods of time

With safety precautions in place, 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

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.