Research Scientist – Hemiptera Taxonomist

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

- Conduct taxonomic research on terrestrial arthropods, including groups that may threaten Canadian agriculture (aphids, psyllids, mealybugs, thrips).
- Identify Sternorrhyncha and Thysanoptera spp. (e.g., aphids, mealybugs, psyllids, thrips) submitted through the National Identification Service (NIS) by various clients.
- Curate specimens of Sternorrhyncha and Thysanoptera of the Canadian National Collection of Insects, Arachnids and Nematodes (CNC).
- Supervise technical staff as required, including those databasing specimens in the CNC to allow accessibility of the data to the research community and the Canadian public.

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 1 indeterminate full time position. 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 with specialization in entomology or other relevant discipline.

Applications will be accepted from candidates enrolled in, but who have not yet completed, a Ph.D. program. Completion of the Ph.D. thesis defence must occur by December 31, 2017 and the granting of the Ph.D. degree no later than June 30, 2018.

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

Experience in the design and conduct of taxonomic research related to insects or mites.

Experience identifying and curating insects or mites.

Experience in generating and analysing molecular data.

Documented scientific productivity/ recognition in the form of authorship/ editorship of research results in the area of the taxonomy of insects 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)

Post-doctoral fellowship in entomology.

Degree equivalency

Experience in systematics and biology of insects (specifically one of aphids, psyllids and mealybugs).

Experience curating a major entomological research collection.

Experience in the molecular identification of species to resolve taxonomic problems.

Experience with application of genomic approaches, including Next-generation Sequencing, to taxonomic problems.

Experience in the analysis and management of large molecular data sets.

Experience writing grant applications.

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

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

Experience in collaborative research or working within multidisciplinary teams.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of taxonomy and the classification of insects or mites.

Knowledge of molecular taxonomic tools for the identification and systematics of insects and mites.

Knowledge of morphological descriptions, identifications and curation techniques for insects and mites.

Knowledge of zoological nomenclature.

Interactive Communication
Creativity and Innovation
Teamwork
Effective interpersonal skills

Ability to present scientific information.

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

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

Ability and willingness to travel for operational needs.

Ability and willingness to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends.

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.

Other information

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

Salary ranges :
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.