Research Scientist – Integrated Crop Production Systems Agronomist

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

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 Morden Research and Development Centre (MRDC) invites applications for a Research Scientist position with specialization in integrated crop production systems. The research scientist is expected to have significant expertise and experience to design and lead an agronomy research program on field crops including environmentally sound production and best practices of field crops; crop rotations, and soil and water management; mitigating impacts of climate change and new agronomic practices on crops; adoption of alternative crops and production systems. The scientist is expected to manage multiple projects in a multidisciplinary setting requiring collaboration with other scientific teams. The scientist is expected to seek internal and external funding and collaborators to support the research program and to effectively manage resources to achieve the desired outcomes. The scientist will directly supervise staff, and may mentor and train post-doctoral fellows and graduate students.

The scientist is expected to provide professional advices and services to partners and clients including agriculture industry and academic community, participating in technology transfer activities, interacting with regional and national growers with crops including soybean, corn, canola, cereals, pulses and special crops.

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.

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 agronomy, plant science, crop science, soil science, crop physiology 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 August 1, 2018 and the granting of the Ph.D. degree no later than the appointment date of the position.

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

1. Experience in the design and conduct of scientific research related to field crop production, specifically as it relates to the use of integrated crop management practices to enhance the productivity and ecological sustainability of temperate agricultural cropping systems.
2. Experience in examining the agronomic relationships between crops, soils, water, and agricultural processes and practices, in the context of the productivity and ecological sustainability of cropping systems relevant to Canadian agriculture.
3. Documented scientific productivity/recognition in the form of authorship/editorship of research results in the area of agronomy, plant science, crop science, soil science, crop physiology, or other relevant discipline, in recognized journals and published reports, books, papers, or other communications resulting from scientific research.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of fundamental cropping system processes and drivers influencing cropping system productivity and ecological sustainability.
Knowledge of plant-soil-water-environment interactions in agro-ecosystems at different spatial and temporal scales.
Knowledge of field crop physiology in relation to soil and water management.

Adaptability
Initiative
Interactive Communication
Teamwork
Judgement
Intellectual Leadership

Ability to lead a team.
Ability to present scientific information to various audiences.

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

Experience in working on a multi-disciplinary team.
Experience in writing grant applications.
Experience in conducting agricultural crop research at small plot and field scales.
Experience working with a variety of crops and cropping systems.
Experience in managing multi-year projects with associated human resource, budgetary, and planning functions.
Experience in interacting with industry and other stakeholders.

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 work in various environmental and weather conditions.

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.