Research Scientist – Bio-Economist

Important messages

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Information on accommodation for persons with disabilities

Tips when applying:
-Only applications submitted through www.gc.jobs.ca will be considered.
-Set aside approximately 40 to 60 minutes to complete the application form including the screening questions.
-Every candidate's profile is unique, to help us better assess your qualifications, the system will prompt you with screening questions, ensure you are providing detailed answers.
-Selection of applications will be based on the information provided in your profile, when answering the screening questions, ensure your examples contain the following information: timelines, position title and detailed examples of how you demonstrated the requested qualification. Keep in mind the reviewer may not have any knowledge of your work history.
-Your résumé is required however will be reviewed and used to validate the experiences described in your online profile.

Duties

We are seeking a research scientist with expertise and experience to develop and lead a research program in the field of agricultural economics. The program will address the economic merit of crop and livestock management practices evaluated at AAFC research sites, as well as in Living Lab projects in partnership with stakeholders. The program will also maintain the connection with agro-ecosystem and resilience programs, adding the agriculture sustainability component to productivity. The economic studies of management practices will be instrumental to communicating recommendations to producers and other stakeholders.

The successful candidate will provide scientific advice and transfer technology to partners and clients that will assist the agriculture industry in maintaining or further enhancing the competitiveness of the agricultural sector in the Prairies. They will work closely with a multidisciplinary group of scientists, including livestock, crops, soil and bioclimatic modelling.

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.

This position, located at the Lethbridge, Alberta, is part of competitively-funded research programs in livestock, crop and soil research. The position is part of a research network with access to research facilities and scientific expertise across Canada, and is supported by technical staff.

Established in 1906, the Lethbridge Research and Development Centre is one of the largest facilities within Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's research network. It includes the main research centre and the Vauxhall Research Farm.

The Centre conducts research in seven sector strategies:
•Agro-ecosystem Resilience
•Cereals
•Dairy, Pork, Poultry and Other Livestock
•Forages and Beef
•Horticulture
•Oilseeds
•Pulses

Intent of the process

An inventory of qualified candidates may be established as a result of the process and may be used for to fill similar permanent or temporary positions for the location referenced in this process or any other AAFC research center.

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:
Graduation with an acceptable doctoral degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in a field of economics applied to agriculture or another acceptable discipline related to the duties of the position, or the employer-approved alternative for the SE classification. (See Alternative).

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

Employer approved alternative : for the SE classification an acceptable alternative is a master’s or bachelor’s degree coupled with acceptable research, training and experience. The degree must be from a recognized post-secondary institution and in scientific fields and specialties related to the duties of the position. The training and experience must clearly demonstrate the ability to do personal research of doctoral degree calibre.

Recognition of 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

Experience in statistical methods applied to experimental designs and data analyses.

Experience in cost analysis and economic modeling of agricultural production systems.

Experience working on a multi-disciplinary team.

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, and/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)

Experience in writing grant applications.

Experience in managing multi-year projects with associated human resource, budgetary, and planning functions.

Experience in project management and timely delivery of results.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of agriculture commodities and production systems in western Canada.

Knowledge of domestic and international markets for Canadian agricultural commodities.

Demonstrated competencies in Interactive Communication, Interpersonal Relationship, Teamwork, Intellectual Leadership, and Analytical Skills.

Ability to design and implement scientific studies specifically as it relates to economics of production systems.

Ability to interact with industry and other stakeholders to garner support and research direction.

Ability to clearly communicate economic concepts to scientists and non-scientists.

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.

Ability and willingness to travel.

Ability and willingness to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends.

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 selection 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 as required; 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.

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

The selection of successful candidates 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.