Research Scientist – Integrated Cropping Systems

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

On behalf of the Government of Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) provides leadership in the growth and development of a competitive, innovative and sustainable Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector. Within this context, the Fredericton Research and Development Centre invites applications for a Research Scientist position with specialization in integrated cropping systems. The Centre, located in Fredericton, New Brunswick, conducts world-class research in the areas of enhancing the productivity and environmental performance of intensive cropping systems (with a particular focus on potato production systems including associated rotation crops), potato crop protection, and potato germplasm enhancement. The incumbent's research will focus on improving the productivity and ecological sustainability of intensive agricultural production systems in Atlantic Canada.

The growing global human population requires increased agricultural productivity on a shrinking land base to meet the need for food and fibre. At the same time, increased climate variability is inducing greater stresses on our production systems. Arable crop production is central to the agricultural economy in Atlantic Canada. Crop production systems in Atlantic Canada are characterized by short growing season, in a region with elevated insect, disease and weed pest pressure, and on shallow soils in sloping landscapes where excess precipitation events are frequent. The result is a high risk of loss of sustainability in the short term due to crop yield losses, and in the long term due to soil degradation. This position will focus on the development and evaluation of novel integrated cropping systems to improve the productivity and ecological and economical sustainability of intensive cropping systems in Atlantic Canada. The incumbent will examine the effects of management practices (cropping sequence, cover crops, tillage systems, organic amendments, integrated pest management) on crop yield, insect, disease and weed pest pressures, and soil health and how they can be managed at a field or landscape scale. The incumbent will be part of a multidisciplinary team of soil scientists, microbiologists, nutrient management specialists, hydrogeologists, entomologists and pathologists, and will have access to state-of-the-art laboratories and research field sites.

The incumbent will have the opportunity to collaborate closely with industry stakeholders in Atlantic Canada and nationally as well as academia. Research Scientists have access to significant core and competitive funding opportunities and are well supported by technical and administrative staff. Research Scientists are encouraged to seek university affiliation and co-supervise graduate students.

Work environment

The successful candidate will be located at the Fredericton Research & Development Centre, situated in the province of New Brunswick.

The Fredericton Research and Development Centre (FRDC) is one of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's network of 20 research centres. The Centre is located in Fredericton, New Brunswick, on the south bank of the St. John River. Potato research is the Centre's main focus as the province of New Brunswick is a recognized world leader in potato production.

The forces driving the agriculture sector have become more complex and are changing even more quickly in recent years. Market demands, social preferences, global trade, energy costs, water availability, environmental health, and changes in risks associated with crop production (e.g., new pests) due to climatic variation place pressure on the industry for innovative solutions to challenges.

The FRDC is custodian of the Canadian Potato Genetic Resources. It is not only comprised of the main centre in Fredericton but also the Benton Ridge sub-station which supports germplasm enhancement activities.

The main focus of research conducted at the centre is in three areas:
• Potato germplasm enhancement
• Crop protection
• Enhancing the environmental performance of potato production systems

Intent of the process

The intent of this process is to fill one (1) indeterminate full time position in Fredericton, New Brunswick. 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 an acceptable doctoral degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in agronomy, plant science, crop science, soil science, or other relevant discipline.

Applications from persons enrolled in a doctoral program but who will complete it before the end of March 2018 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 related to field or horticultural crop production, specifically as it relates to the use of crop management practices to enhance the productivity and/or ecological sustainability of temperate agricultural cropping systems.

(EEx2) Experience in examining the agronomic relationships between crops, soils, and agricultural processes and practices, in the context of the productivity and/or ecological sustainability of cropping systems relevant to Canadian agriculture.

(EEx3) Documented scientific productivity/recognition in the form of authorship/editorship of research results in the area of agronomy, plant science, crop science, soil science 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) Experience in working on a multi-disciplinary team.

(AEx2) Experience in writing grant applications.

(AEx3) Experience in conducting agricultural crop research at small plot and field scales.

(AEx4) Experience in managing multi-year projects with associated human resource, budgetary, and planning functions.

(AEx5) Experience in interacting with industry and other stakeholders.

(AEx6) Experience in conducting research in the context of the enhancement of ecological goods and services.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

(EK1) Knowledge of fundamental cropping system processes and drivers influencing cropping system productivity and ecological sustainability.

(EK2) Knowledge of plant-soil-environment interactions in agro-ecosystems at different spatial and temporal scales.

(EC1) Interactive Communication
(EC2) Teamwork
(EC3) Adaptability
(EC4) Judgement

(AB1) Ability to make presentations to varied audiences.

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.

Ability and willingness to control allergies, through the use of personal protective equipment and/or medication without impinging on the duties to be performed.

Ability and willingness to work under various environmental and weather conditions.

Other information

The classification level and rate of pay on appointment is commensurate with the successful candidate's qualifications.

SE-RES-01 - $55,870 - $75,710
SE-RES-02 - $69,372 - $107,034
SE-RES-03 - $87,671 - $118,813
SE-RES-04 - $104,993 - $131,882
SE-RES-05 - $114,962 - $144,413

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.