Soil Microbial Ecology Technician

Important messages

We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please use the Contact information below to request special accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Information on accommodation for persons with disabilities

Duties

The incumbent will be responsible for contributing to research on soil biology and biochemistry in response to changes in the soil environment (e.g. management practices). The position will be based at the AAFC Charlottetown Research and Development Centre and will involve laboratory, field, and greenhouse experiments. The duties of this position include the following:

• Contributes to the development of scientifically sound sampling strategies and obtains plant and soil samples from experimental plots and agricultural soils in Atlantic Canada
• Extracts and identifies microbes, micro-, meso- and mega-fauna from soil samples using molecular or morphological approaches.
• To modify and develop experimental procedures to study soil biodiversity and functions.
• Performs analyses of general soil physical and biological/biochemical properties (e.g. organic matter fractions, microbial biomass, enzyme activities, water content, bulk densities).
• Contributes to the design and maintenance of experimental plots and greenhouse studies.
• Maintains records of field activities and soil samples analyzed in the laboratory.
• Contributes to initial statistical analyses of data and the preparation of graphics and drafts of reports and scientific manuscripts.

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

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, deployment, assignment or secondment opportunities.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

Contact information for 2 references.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

Graduation with a diploma or degree in science with specialization in biology, ecology, microbiology, molecular biology, soil science, or other relevant discipline from a recognized post-secondary institution.

Degree equivalency

Experience providing technical support for projects in a laboratory environment.
Experience collecting and performing analysis on soil or plant samples.

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

M.Sc. degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in a field relevant to the position, such as microbial ecology, environmental microbiology, or soil science.
Post-secondary studies in microbial ecology, environmental microbiology or soil microbiology.

Degree equivalency

Experience with laboratory techniques used for the study of soil microbes or soil fauna (e.g. extraction methods, preparation of samples for microscopy, preparation of samples for sequencing).
Experience planning and conducting field experiments.
Experience in a greenhouse setting.
Experience in next generation sequencing.
Experience in analyzing sequencing data (bioinformatics).

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of major groups of soil organisms and morphological approaches and molecular approaches used for their identification.
Knowledge of field and laboratory methods for analyses of basic soil physical and bio-chemical properties.
Knowledge of molecular biology techniques such as:
- DNA and RNA purification and analysis;
- PCR, reverse transcription-PCR, real-time PCR;
- DNA and gene sequencing;
Knowledge of statistics and experimental design.
Knowledge of safety procedures and safety precautions to be followed in a molecular laboratory.

Planning and Organizing
Initiative
Interactive Communication
Teamwork
Adaptability

Ability to keep and maintain accurate, detailed and well organized records.
Ability to use computer software for spreadsheets, organizing and analyzing data.

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

Knowledge of methods for assessing responses of crop plants and soil biological communities to experimental soil and water management practices.
Knowledge of extraction procedures and identification of soil fauna.

Ability to search and comprehend scientific literature (e.g. research project reports, peer-reviewed papers) in order to identify, adopt and/or adapt new analytical approaches and methods.

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

Valid driver’s license.
With appropriate safety precautions in place, able and willing to work in laboratory, greenhouse and field conditions.
Under normal safety precautions, able and willing to work with hazardous materials.
Ability and willingness to travel for field work.
Ability and willingness to work overtime.
Ability and willingness to work outdoors, in inclement and/or variable conditions.
Ability and willingness to lift materials up to 15 kg.
Ability and willingness to work at a microscope for extended periods (e.g. > 2 hr in a given day).
Ability and willingness to do repetitive tasks

Other information

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the targeted groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

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.

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.