Research Assistant– Plant Microbiology

Important messages

AMENDMENT TO CLOSING DATE

Duties

Following the supervising scientist’s instructions, the incumbent will conduct lab, greenhouse and filed experiments in the areas of plant molecular biology and virology, plant biotechnology and general plant pathology; operate and maintain specialized equipment/instruments to conduct lab work in in the above areas; adapt and develop protocols to identify and characterize viral pathogens and develop novel strategies against them; accurately record data in a timely manner and interpret data using various computer software programs and report on results; demonstrate or explain technical and administrative procedures to others; help the supervising scientist manage lab and place orders of supplies; help the supervising scientist coordinate research activities with other collaborating laboratories in Canada and internationally; communicate with industry partners; and perform other duties instructed by the supervisor that are required for the research program.

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.

The London Research and Development Centre was established in 1951 in London, Ontario. A satellite research location associated with the London Research and Development Centre is located in Vineland, Ontario. The Vineland Research Farm is a Minor Use Pesticide Program site which supports the Centre's mission to develop alternative and environmentally acceptable technologies to protect crops. It is also the main site of tree fruit research.

The Centre focuses its research in three key areas:
•Crop genomics, bioproducts, and biopesticides
•Protection and improvement of fruits and vegetable crops
•Soil and water quality

Facilities at the London Research and Development Centre
•Headquarters site at London is on 25 hectares; 30 hectares are at Vineland (located at the Vineland Campus in the Niagara Peninsula)
•Research orchard of 32 hectares (at Jordan, Ontario)
•Three research greenhouses totaling 1,834 square meters
•Lab and office space at all three sites comprises 7,096 square meters
•Insect production rooms
•Linked to the Biotron facility at the University of Western Ontario, an experimental facility for research on the impact of climate change and extreme environments on plants, insects and micro-organisms

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.
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)

B. Sc. Degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in one of the following fields:
Plant Science;
Plant Pathology;
Plant Microbiology.

Degree equivalency

Experience in planning and managing research projects in a research or laboratory environment.

Experience in designing experiments, developing project plans and developing methodologies/tools.

Experience working with nucleic acid- and protein-based molecular analysis

Experience in operating, maintaining and calibrating basic and complex lab instruments such as PCR cyclers, ELISA readers, microcentrifuge, confocal microscope, biolistic particle delivery system, etc.

Experience in generation and identification of plant mutants of target genes

Experience in working with viral pathogens

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

Master’s Degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in one of the following fields:
Plant Virology;
Plant Pathology;
Molecular Biology;

Degree equivalency

Experience in planting, maintaining and harvesting diverse plants in the experimental field, greenhouse and growth chamber.

Experience with plant virus diagnosis.

Experience in real time PCR protocols and techniques.

Experience in working with fruit trees

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge in plant virology, pathology and molecular biology

Knowledge of related laboratory methodologies, tools, theories, practices and principles.

Interactive Communication
Teamwork
Planning and Organizing
Problem Solving
Creativity and Innovation
Concern for Safety

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

Knowledge of tissue culture and genetic transformation

Selection may be limited to members of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women

Information on employment equity

Membership in one of the designated Employment Equity Groups.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Valid Driver’s licence

Ability and willingness to work flexible hours

Ability and willingness to travel

Ability and willingness to work overtime

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.

With appropriate safety precautions in place, able and willing to work in laboratory, greenhouse, field and/or animal rearing facility environments for extended periods at a time; able and willing to work outdoors under various weather conditions and under normal safety precautions able and willing to work with hazardous materials.

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.