Biologist – Cereal Pathology

Duties

As part of a research program, the incumbent will lead independent research projects (under the guidance of a Research Scientist) focused on wheat crop pathology.

Responsibilities include:
- Leading independent research projects (under the guidance of an AAFC Research Scientist) focused on foliar wheat diseases.
- Managing laboratory and field operations related to the program.
- Preparing reports, proposals and research papers.
- Maintaining quality control and troubleshooting to ensure accurate results.

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 need: 1 full-time temporary position (12 months).

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 an acceptable master’s or doctoral degree in biological sciences from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in plant pathology or in a field relevant to the duties of the position.

Degree equivalency

Experience conducting research in plant pathology including culturing and production of inoculum from fungal cultures, isolation and identification of plant pathogens, and assessing host plants for disease responses.
Experience performing research on plant-pathogen interactions.
Experience recognizing disease symptoms and applying rating scales to assess disease severity.

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

Experience conducting research related to rust or leaf spot pathogens on cereal.
Experience in production of pathogen inoculum, greenhouse and field inoculations, assessment of disease and identification of fungal species infecting cereal.
Experience working in a team composed of pathologist and breeders.
Experience in the evaluation of germplasm against biotrophic and necrotrophic pathogens.
Experience in QTL mapping and fine mapping of candidate genes.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of plant pathogens of cereal crops.
Knowledge of pathogen isolation from plant materials and identification, cataloging and storage of pathogen specimens.
Knowledge of experimental design and statistical analysis.

Ability to independently use scientific instruments and tools, and to apply scientific techniques and microbiological and molecular methods.
Ability to make observations, collect and record data accurately and interpret and analyze results.

Adaptability
Concern for Safety
Problem Solving
Teamwork

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

Knowledge in bioinformatics and genome organization.

Organizational Needs
In support of achieving a diversified workforce, consideration may be given to candidates self-identifying as belonging to one of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal peoples, Persons with a Disability; Visible Minorities, Women.

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
Ability and willingness to work overtime including evenings and weekends.
Ability and willingness to work flexible hours.
Ability and willingness to work in laboratory and field environments.
Ability and willingness to work under various environmental and weather conditions.

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.