Research Biologist – Plant Biology

Duties

We are seeking several research biologists with experience in plant physiology, plant biochemistry, plant genetics/genomics, plant pathology or plant molecular biology to work at the Saskatoon Research and Development Centre.
The successful candidates will work closely with a scientist(s) on projects examining insect and disease resistance, abiotic stress, genetics, epigenetics, and genomics in Brassica napus, in related oilseed crops and/or in model plant systems.

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

Immediate need: 4 full time temporary positions.

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: 4

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 from a recognized post-secondary institution with a doctoral degree in a natural science with specialization in a field relevant to the duties of the position.

Persons may apply who are currently enrolled in a relevant Ph.D. program, and must have defended their thesis and been awarded their Ph.D. degree prior to appointment.

Degree equivalency

Experience conducting research in molecular biology, biochemistry, and/or physiology in an agricultural crop or a model plant system.

Documented scientific productivity/recognition in the form of authorship/editorship of research results in recognized scientific 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 general plant physiology.
Knowledge of plant genomics.
Knowledge of plant biochemistry.
Knowledge of plant molecular biology techniques.

Adaptability
Interactive Communication
Teamwork

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

Experience in plant biochemistry or physiology related to biotic stress (insect resistance).
Experience in plant biochemistry or physiology related to biotic stress (disease resistance).
Experience in plant biochemistry or physiology related to abiotic stress.
Experience in computational biology related to genomics or transcriptomics analysis.
Experience in the application of molecular marker systems for plant genetic analyses.

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.

In support of achieving a diversified workforce, consideration may be given to candidates self-identifying as belonging to one of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal peoples, Persons with a Disability, Visible Minorities, Women.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

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.
Ability and willingness to work in laboratory, greenhouse, and/or field environments for extended periods at a time.
Ability and willingness to work with chemicals.

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.