Research Scientist – Crop/Plant Physiology

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 Agassiz Research and Development Centre (ARDC) invites applications for a Research Scientist position in the area of crop/ plant physiology.

The Centre, located in Agassiz (Fraser Valley in British Columbia), conducts world-class research in the area of horticultural crop production, crop protection, and nutrient management, with a focus on two major crop production streams – horticultural and forage systems. The incumbent's research will focus on developing new knowledge, new technologies and methodologies, and new applications of existing technologies in sustainable and innovative crop production systems, including precision crop production, intensive crop production and green house cropping systems, in order to produce high-quality, high value crops.

In the context of British Columbia’s Fraser Valley, the incumbent will apply his/her scientific expertise in field, laboratory and controlled environments, such as green houses, to encourage the development and use of best practices by industry stakeholders. The incumbent’s research activities will also help optimize productivity and resolve industry challenges while addressing consumer demands for high-quality , healthy food with minimal environmental impacts.

The incumbent will be part of a multidisciplinary team comprised of entomologists, a pathologist, nutrient management specialists, a weed scientist and an agro-ecologist, and will have access to state-of-the-art laboratories and research field sites.

The incumbent will have the opportunity to collaborate closely with stakeholders in related industries, as well as in academia, to address plant/ crop physiology issues related to sustainable agricultural practices. The incumbent will also have the opportunity to collaborate closely with other crop/ plant physiology specialists at other AAFC centres to address issues of national significance. Research Scientists have access to significant core and competitive funding opportunities, and are well supported by technical and administrative staff. Research Scientists are encouraged to seek university affiliation and co-supervise graduate students.

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 Agassiz Research and Development Centre (Agassiz RDC) is one of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's network of 20 research centres. The Agassiz RDC is one of the original five experimental farms established by the Government of Canada in 1886 under The Experimental Farm Station Act. Located in Agassiz, British Columbia, it also has operational responsibility for the Clearbrook sub-station, located 50 km away in Abbotsford. The Agassiz RDC is the lead centre in Canada for integrated research on peri-urban agriculture, studying the interaction of high value, competitive agriculture within the context of densely populated regions. Research focuses on developing intensive yet sustainable horticultural and forage management systems that are integrated within a peri-urban environment. Agassiz RDC is a Minor Use Pesticide site.

Intent of the process

The intent of this process is to fill one (1) indeterminate full time position in Agassiz (British Columbia). 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 physiology, plant science or other relevant discipline.

Applications will be accepted from candidates enrolled in, but who have not yet completed, a Ph.D. program. However, the thesis defense will have to be completed and the Ph.D. degree awarded before being appointed.

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

Experience conducting scientific research in plant physiology and/or crop physiology.

Experience designing and conducting research in a discipline relevant to the position.

Experience analyzing and interpreting plant/crop physiological data.

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

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

Experience in writing grant applications.

Experience working with a multi-disciplinary team.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of crop physiology and/or plant physiology that can be applied in field, laboratory and controlled environments (e.g., greenhouses).

Knowledge of impacts of agriculture on the environment.

Knowledge of crop/water/soil/atmosphere influences and interactions on field crop and/or plant productivity.

Knowledge of statistical design and methods for summarizing and analyzing data sets.

Interactive communication

Initiative

Teamwork

Adaptability

Ability to make scientific presentations to varied audiences.

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

Knowledge of agronomy, especially crop production practices in Canada.

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 control allergies, through the use of personal protective equipment and/or medication without impinging on the duties to be performed.

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.