Biologist - Food Microbiology - ANTICIPATORY

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 successful candidate will be required to collect samples that may contain unknown pathogens, from sources that include but are not limited to live animals, carcasses, meats at various stages of processing, and fecal matter; and environmental samples from meat production systems, slaughter houses and meat packing plant. The successful candidate will be working in a communal laboratory and so will be required to maintain efficient and friendly communication with co-workers. The successful candidate will participate in multidisciplinary projects related to various aspects of meat microbiology such as, investigating causes and means of prevention of microbiological spoilage of raw meat under different packaging and or storage conditions; detecting and enumerating food borne pathogens by conventional and or molecular techniques; and developing methods to improve safety of meat. Key activities will include, but not limited to, organizing, conducting and controlling research projects and/or field work under the guidance of the microbiologist; preparation of project report and manuscript; preparing research proposals with other project team members; coordinating and/or supervising technical assistants and students allocated to the studies including monitoring work in progress and evaluating performance.

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

Anticipatory: 1 full-time temporary position (12 months).

A pool of qualified candidates may be established and may be used for similar permanent and temporary employment.

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)

MSc. degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in Food Science, Food Microbiology, Chemistry or Biochemistry.

Degree equivalency

Significant* experience in designing, planning and managing research activities related to meat microbiology.
Experience conducting research in commercial meat packing plant environments.
Experience developing project goals and assigning work to staff.
Experience preparing project reports and scientific manuscripts.

*Significant experience is defined as experience associated with having performed a broad range of related activities which could normally be acquired over a period of approximately 3 years.

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

Doctoral degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in Food Science, Food Microbiology or Biochemistry.

Degree equivalency

Experience analyzing data from next generation sequencing.
Experience conducting research on antimicrobial interventions for meat.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of conventional and molecular microbiological laboratory methods for detection, quantification and identification of bacteria in foods.
Knowledge of Canadian meat packing plant operations.

Initiative
Interactive Communication
Planning and Organizing
Teamwork
Concern for Safety

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.

Ability and willingness to travel within Canada.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Ability and willingness to work overtime on short notice or without notice.
Possession of a valid driver’s license.
Ability and willingness to take samples in meat/slaughter processing plants under conditions of production (temperature/noise).
Ability and willingness to work with hazardous materials and pathogenic bacteria.
Ability and willingness to work in a laboratory, abattoir and animal rearing facility environments.
Ability and willingness to work flexible 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

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.