Research Scientist – Digital Agronomy

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

***Closing Date changed to July 3rd, 2018****

Tips when applying :

-Apply online : only applications submitted through www.gc.jobs.ca will be considered.
-The application process, including the screening questions, may take approximately 40 to 60 minutes.
-Every candidate profile is unique, to help us better understand your qualifications, the system will prompt you with screening questions.
-In order to help us gain more specific information on your profile, the system will prompt you with screening questions for each qualification.
-When answering the online screening questions, ensure your examples are specific, and they include timelines, role title and detailed examples of how you demonstrated the requested qualification, as applications will be selected based on the information provided. Keep in mind the hiring manager may not have any previous knowledge of your background, qualifications, or work history.
-Your résumé will be reviewed and used to validate the qualifications described in your online profile.

Duties

Precision agriculture has immense potential to solve complex problems affecting the productivity of the agricultural sector and its impact on the environment. The Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Research and Development Centre is at the forefront of research, innovation and the adoption of beneficial practices. The position to be filled in digital agronomy will be at the centre of the valorization of big data in agriculture. It will contribute to the generation of new scientific knowledge, applicable solutions and favorable impacts in the sector.

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 Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Research and Development Centre helps the Canadian horticultural sector to remain competitive and sustainable by developing original knowledge, tools and know-how, primarily in the fields of horticultural crop protection with an approach in biovigilance and precision agriculture. The Centre is very supportive of the departmental priority to "develop new knowledge, foster innovation and increase the adoption and commercialization of agri-food and agro-industrial products, practices or processes."

The Centre is a participating site of the Minor Use Pesticides Program, which aims to minimize the impact of the agricultural industry on the environment, while improving the pre- and post-harvest quality of crops. It is one of the most important experimental sites for the Pest Control Centre's registration requests for the Minor Use Pesticide Program, with a team of biologists and their technicians. This research corresponds with industry needs in Quebec and Canada.

Intent of the process

A pool of qualified candidates could be established and could be used to fill a similar position in the centre referenced in this poster or another AAFC research centre.

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)

ESSENTIAL EDUCATION :

A doctoral degree from a recognized university in applied mathematics, statistics, modelling, artificial intelligence, geostatistics, agricultural sciences or in another discipline deemed relevant to this position.

Applications will be accepted from candidates enrolled in, but having not yet completed a Ph.D. program. Completion of the Ph.D. thesis must occur before the date of appointment.

FOREIGN CREDENTIALS: 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, see link below.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE:

Demonstrated programming experience.

Demonstrated scientific productivity or recognition in the specialization related to this position, including developmental work leading to the issue of patents, copyrights, or the creation of improved varieties, functions, or designs, or recognition by the professional community of the research environment. It also refers to recognized achievement in the form of authorship and editorship of published or unpublished reports, books, papers, or other communications resulting from:
•Research, experimental development, or tasking associated with operational equipment and problems;
•Operational research and scientific analysis;
•Planning, analysis and evaluation of Canadian and foreign programs in research and development.

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

ASSETS:

Experience in a post-doctoral field relevant to the position.

Experience managing spatial reference databases.

Experience writing grant applications.

Experience working on a multi-disciplinary science team.

Experience managing research projects spanning over multiple years including human resources, budgets and planning.

Experience dealing with the industry and other relevant players to develop research programs and projects.

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

Bilingual - Imperative (BBB/BBB)
The essential language requirement for this position is : Bilingual (Reading, Writing and Verbal). For more information on this see - Second Language Writing Skills Self-assessment Test.

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE:

Knowledge of data analysis methods used in artificial intelligence.

Knowledge of the analysis and modelling of space-time data applicable to agricultural production.

Knowledge of statistical methods, spatial sampling principles and experiment design adapted to precision agriculture.

Basic knowledge of sensors and data acquisition systems used in precision agriculture.

Demonstrated competencies in Interactive communication, Intellectual leadership, Teamwork and Adaptability.

Ability to make scientific presentations to various audiences.

Ability to lead a team.

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

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 licence.

Ability and willingness to travel.

Ability and willingness to work outside normal working hours.

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

Research Scientist salary levels and pay ranges are commensurate with the successful candidate`s experience, see grid below:

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. As a candidate, ensure accurate contact information is provided and updated on your profile, also ensure that email address provided accepts email from unknown users as some email systems block unknown sources.

All communication relating to this process, including email correspondence may be used in the assessment of qualifications.

All communication relating to this process, including email correspondence may be used in the assessment of qualifications.

As part of the selection process, you may be asked to complete assessments, an interview and reference checks.

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.

-Your resume is required, however will be used to validate the experiences described in your online profile.

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.