Research Scientist – Spring Wheat Germplasm Enhancement and Breeding

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

Provide leadership for the spring wheat germplasm enhancement and breeding program for development of new varieties adapted to Eastern Canada. Design, implement, and conduct spring wheat genetic research to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the spring wheat breeding program. In collaboration with AAFC scientists, utilize or develop cost-effective genotyping methods for marker-assisted and genomic selection suitable for hexaploid wheat. Utilize or creates applications of bioinformatics and statistical tools to predict and validate breeding values using genomics, pedigree, and phenotypic data in specific environment. Extract genetic information from marker, sequence, and trait datasets using bioinformatics and statistical methods, as appropriate. Develop data management system to integrate genomics and breeding data and enables use of advanced technologies within the AAFC Spring Wheat breeding program for Eastern Canada. Establish internal partnerships with agronomists, crop physiologists, quality experts, and pathologists internally (AAFC-Ottawa, Charlottetown, Normandin, and Harrow etc.) and externally (CEROM, U. of Guelph, and U. Laval etc.) and interact and collaborate with the Western Spring Wheat Breeders.

Work environment

The Ottawa Research and Development Centre was established in 1886. It is located in Ottawa, Ontario at the Central Experimental Farm. It is one of the original five experimental farms established by the Government of Canada in 1886 under the Experimental Farm Station Act to conduct research in support of Canadian agriculture.

The Centre leads Manitoba to Prince Edward Island in crop development, targeting corn, soy, spring wheat, winter wheat, oats and barley. It also supports research conducted at other research centres in the areas of food safety, mycotoxins, and biocontrol.

The Centre's main research focus lies in three areas:
•Crop genetic enhancement and genomics
•Biodiversity of vascular plant, fungi and bacteria, and invertebrates
•Integrated assessment of long-term environmental effect of agricultural practices

Intent of the process

The intent of this process is to fill one (1) indeterminate full time position in Ottawa, Ontario. 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)

EEd1 Graduation with a doctoral degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in the field of plant breeding, genetics or other relevant discipline.

Applications from persons enrolled in a doctoral program but who have yet to complete it will be considered. However, the thesis must have been defended and the doctoral degree awarded before appointment.

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.

Degree equivalency

EEx1 Experience in the design and conduct of scientific research specifically as it relates to plant breeding and genetics or other relevant discipline.

EEx2 Experience in genetics and genomic approaches to the study of genes that control quantitative traits influencing crop productivity, particularly abiotic and biotic stresses.

EEx3 Documented scientific productivity/recognition in the form of authorship/editorship of research results in the area of plant breeding, genetics, biotechnology or other relevant discipline, in recognized journals and/or published reports, books, papers, or other communications resulting from scientific research.

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

AEx1 Post Ph.D. experience in wheat breeding or a discipline related to wheat genetic enhancement.

AEx2 Experience in the application of molecular markers for genetic analysis of wheat.

AEx3 Experience interacting with the wheat industry in Canada in relation to the production and marketing environment, research needs, and the registration and commercialization process for new wheat cultivars.

AEx4 Experience writing grants applications.

AEx5 Experience working on a multi-disciplinary team.

AEx6 Experience managing multi-year projects with associated human resource, budgetary, and planning functions.

AEx7 Experience interacting with industry and other stakeholders to garner support and research direction.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

EK1 Knowledge of conventional and molecular plant breeding used to perform wheat genetic enhancement including field operations relating to plant research.

EK2 Knowledge of biotic and abiotic stresses that affect wheat and mechanisms for their control.

EK3 Knowledge of wheat cereal chemistry and grain quality.

EK4 Knowledge of wheat production challenges such as abiotic stress and production related traits.

EC1 Interactive Communication
EC2 Writing skills
EC3 Teamwork
EC4 Adaptability

AB1 Ability to present scientific information.

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

AC1 Team Leadership

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 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.

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.