Researcher in quantitative forest genetics

Important messages

The Government of Canada is committed to building a skilled workforce that is representative of Canada's diversity, which includes the recruitment of Canadian Veterans and releasing Canadian Armed Forces personnel.

We encourage applicants to identify any abilities, competencies, and/or experiences acquired through employment with the Canadian Armed Forces where applicable.

Duties

Natural Resources Canada seeks a dynamic, creative, and resourceful team player to join the Canadian Wood Fibre Centre (CWFC) as a research scientist. The strategic aim of this research position is the development of genetic and genomic tools for improvement of forest resources and integration with provincial tree breeding programs. You will conduct research in the field of forest genetics that will support sustainable forest management decisions and tree breeders. This includes the development of advanced tree breeding tools, the implementation of genomics into breeding programs and reproduction of superior genotypes. Research will require the assessment and consideration of multiple breeding objectives focussing on growth and wood quality, but also on insect and pest resistance as well as resilience to biotic and abiotic stresses due to environmental changes. It further includes interaction with intensive forest management treatments and geographic allocation of improved stock according to forecasted climate in order to ensure a high-valued fibre resources flow from future forests.

Work environment

The CWFC is a science organization dispersed by design and comprising researchers located in Canadian Forest Service (CFS) centres across the country. The CWFC seeks a research scientist to contribute to its mission of providing sustainable wood fibre solutions to Canada’s forest sector. Based in Fredericton New Brunswick, the scientist will join a collaborative team integrated with the national research programs of both the CFS and FPInnovations, and strongly oriented to the needs forest sector stakeholders. Fredericton is situated on the shores of the Saint John River and is one of the main urban centres in Atlantic Canada. Geographically in the heart of the Acadian Forest, the city is home to the CFS’s Atlantic Forestry Centre, which shares common buildings with provincial departments in the Hugh John Flemming Forestry Centre. Together with the University of New Brunswick and private forest companies, Fredericton offers a hub position for forest R&D possibilities.

Intent of the process

OUR IMMEDIATE NEED IS TO STAFF A BILINGUAL NON-IMPERATIVE (BBB/BBB) POSITION ON AN INDETERMINATE BASIS IN FREDERICTON, NEW-BRUNSWICK.

A pool of candidates may be established through this process to fill research positions within Natural Resources Canada for varying tenures (determinate or indeterminate), with various language and bilingual profile requirements, (English or French Essential, English essential, French essential, or bilingual imperative and non-imperative; BBB/BBB, CBC/CBC, CCC/CCC, etc.), and varying conditions of employment and work sites.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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 a field of natural sciences related to the duties of the position.

Degree equivalency

Productivity/Recognition:
Being the author of scientific articles published in peer-reviewed journals and of other written/oral communications (e.g. reports, books or book chapters, oral presentations) based on scientific research to which the candidate contributed. Note: the nature and extent of productivity may be a deciding factor in choosing the person to be appointed.

Experience in quantitative genetics in plants.
Experience in designing and conducting experiments in genetics applied to plants.
Experience in the use of advanced statistical analysis methods.

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

Experience in collaborating in research with governmental partners or from the private sector.
Experience in tree improvement.
Experience in using genomic tools for tree breeding.
Experience in GIS-supported systems for tracking seed deployment.
Experience in plant physiology or tissue culture.
Experience in communicating scientific results to a general audience.
Experience in supervising technical or professional staff.
Experience in managing a project budget.
Experience preparing research proposals to obtain research funding.

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

Various language requirements

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of current issues in Canadian forest sector.

Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
Ability to communicate effectively orally.
Ability to communicate research results.

Effective interpersonal relationships
Vision and Strategic Thinking
Initiative
Flexibility
Result-driven
Collaboration

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

Knowledge of current tree improvement approaches used in Canada.
Knowledge of the influence of genetics on tree growth, wood properties and resistance traits to abiotic and biotic stress.

Natural Resources Canada is committed to establishing and maintaining a representative workforce. This organizational need may be identified as part of the appointment decision. In such cases, qualified candidates who self-declare as members of a visible minority group, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities or women (in non-traditional occupations) could be considered in priority.

Willingness and ability to travel.
Willingness and ability to work overtime on short notice or without notice.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Medical clearance in accordance with Treasury Board Occupational Health Evaluation Standards for field work.
Possession of a valid driver’s licence.

Other information

An interview may be conducted.

A written examination may be administered.

All information obtained throughout the selection process, from the time of application to close of process, may/will be used to evaluate the candidates.

Candidates must meet the essential qualifications to be appointed to a position.

Ability to communicate effectively in writing could be assessed using your application.

Candidates may be required to meet the other qualifications, depending on the requirements of the specific position being staffed.

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.

Candidates from outside the public service may be required to pay for travel and relocation costs associated with this selection process.

The hiring organization will accept applications on-line only. All job applications must therefore be submitted through the Public Service Resourcing System. To submit an application on-line, please select the button “Apply Online” below. Persons with disabilities preventing them from applying on-line are asked to contact 1-800-645-5605.

Random selection and/or top-down selection may be used at any time during the process to identify which applicants will be further assessed.

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.