Research Scientist – Crop Reproduction

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.

Tips for candidates who wish to apply:
• The application process will take approximately 40 to 60 minutes to complete.
• When submitting your application, please provide complete and thorough details of your education and experience. The system will prompt you with specific questions for each qualification, so ensure to answer the questions, if applicable.
• When answering the questionnaire, do not assume that the hiring board has any previous knowledge of your background, qualifications, or work history. You must be specific and provide concrete examples and details for each experience and education element, as applications will be screened on the information provided. Your résumé will only be used as a secondary source to validate the qualifications described.

Duties

A research scientist with significant expertise and experience is sought to develop and lead a research program in the field of plant reproduction biology using genomics, proteomics, bioinformatics, and transgenic technologies to develop long term reproductive strategies to improve and ensure Canadian crop productivity.

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to work in close collaboration with a multidisciplinary group of scientists working on molecular biology, crop physiology, agronomy, pollinator biology, ecology, evolution, taxonomy, and bioinformatics at ORDC, as well as nationally/internationally.

The program will extend ongoing research focused on developing novel approaches to manage pollen-mediated gene flow (e.g. hybrid seed production, outcrossing mitigation) and maintaining crop reproduction in view of predicted climate changes.

The research will involve studying the reproduction of various plant species while exploiting available plant genetic resources, bioinformatics software, platforms and databases, next-generation sequencing technologies, transgenic approaches to characterize genes involved in reproduction and to modify fertility, as well as related or emerging technologies.

The successful candidate will work with stakeholders from industry, academia, government and others to maintain a strong program direction, will prepare the relevant internal and external multi-year research grant proposals, will provide scientific advice and transfer technology to partners and clients, and will communicate the research results through peer-reviewed publications and presentations.

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 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 in the field of plant molecular biology or a 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 January 1, 2018 and the granting of the Ph.D. degree no later than March 31, 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

Documented scientific productivity/recognition in the form of authorship/editorship of research results in the area of plant molecular biology or other relevant discipline, in recognized journals and/or published reports, books, papers, or other communications resulting from scientific research.

Experience in the design and conduct of scientific research, specifically as it relates to plant molecular biology and genetics in the context of developmental biology.

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

ASSET QUALIFICATIONS:

Post Ph.D. experience in plant molecular biology or other relevant discipline.

Experience in the molecular investigation of plant reproductive processes.

Experience working with cell and tissue culture, as well as generating and analyzing transgenic plants.

Experience in generating, managing and analyzing high throughput data.

Experience developing bioinformatics pipelines and writing programs or shell scripts to perform customized bioinformatics analysis.

Experience in light, fluorescent and electron microscopy.

Experience in 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.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of plant reproduction biology and its relevance to agriculture.

Writing skills
Interactive Communication
Teamwork
Intellectual Leadership
Effective Interpersonal Skills
Adaptability

Ability to present scientific information.

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

Knowledge of Brassicaceae and Triticeae pollination, pollen/pistil interactions, fertilization and pollen-mediated gene flow.

Knowledge of technologies to modulate plant gene expression.

Knowledge of plant cell biology.

Knowledge of plant proteomics and associated techniques.

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.

Ability and willingness to travel.

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

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Ability and willingness to perform standard molecular genetics and genomics laboratory procedures and techniques.

Ability and willingness to work with plants in the laboratory, field, greenhouse or growth chamber.

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.