Defence Scientist

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

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE/ HOW TO APPLY
Please read carefully the following instructions before applying. Candidates who do not follow these instructions may be subject to rejection of their application.
• It is your responsibility, as a candidate, to submit a cover letter, which clearly demonstrates how you meet each of the screening criteria (Education and Experience, both Essential and Asset).
• Please note it is not sufficient to simply state that the qualification is met or to provide a listing of current or past responsibilities.
• You must provide concrete examples, which illustrate how you meet each qualification (Education and Experience, Essential and Asset).
• Please apply the following approach: use each screening qualification as a header and then provide a description outlining when, where and how you meet each qualification.
• Resumes may be used as a secondary source to validate the education and / or experience described in the cover letter.
• FAILURE TO CLEARLY DEMONSTRATE HOW YOU MEET THE SCREENING CRITERIA WILL RESULT IN THE REJECTION OF YOUR APPLICATION. CANDIDATES WILL NOT BE SOLICITED FOR INCOMPLETE OR POSSIBLE MISSING INFORMATION.
• Any or all of the criteria under the Asset Qualifications may be used for screening purposes
• The client organization will accept applications on-line only.
• All job applications must therefore be submitted through the Public Service Resourcing System.
• To submit an application on-line, please select the button "Apply Online" below.
• Persons with disabilities preventing them from applying on-line are asked to contact the Infotel Service at 1-800-645-5605.
• Applicants who apply to this selection process must include in their application a valid e-mail address and make sure this address is functional at all times and accepts messages from unknown users.•

Intent of the process

Immediate need will be to fill 1 indeterminate position.

A pool of qualified candidates may be established and may be used to staff similar positions with various tenures (term, indeterminate, deployment, assignment, secondment)

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter in 9,999 words (maximum) "A covering letter in 9,999 words (maximum)"

Contact information for 3 references.

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

EDUCATION

Graduation from a recognized post-secondary institution with: a Master’s degree with specialization in Biochemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Virology or other scientific discipline related to the fields of biological diagnostic and detection research or microbial infectious disease; OR a Bachelor’s degree with specialization in Biochemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Virology or other scientific discipline related to the fields of biological diagnostic and detection research or microbial infectious disease, coupled with acceptable experience.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE

Experience performing scientific research in microbiological diagnostics or detection OR experience performing scientific research in Microbial Infectious Disease.

Experience designing, planning, coordinating, implementing, conducting, and reporting on experimental activities.

Experience in publishing technical reports or scientific papers.

Experience collaborating with others in the execution of scientific research.

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

English essential
Proficiency in the English language is essential.

Information on language requirements

ABILITIES

Ability to effectively communicate scientific concepts and results orally to a variety of audiences.

Ability to effectively communicate scientific concepts and results in writing to a variety of audiences.

PERSONAL SUITABILITY

Initiative
Flexibility
Teamwork
Effective Interpersonal Relationships
Leadership

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

ASSET EDUCATION QUALIFICATIONS

Graduation from a recognized post-secondary institution with a doctoral degree in a biological science with specialization in Biochemistry, Biology, Microbiology, Virology, or other scientific discipline related to the fields of biological diagnostic and detection research or microbial infectious disease.

Degree equivalency

ASSET EXPERIENCE QUALIFICATIONS

Depth and breadth of experience in conceiving and implementing studies involving infectious diseases in mammals.

Experience in assessing efficacy of technologies for biological detection, identification, or diagnostics.

Experience in animal pathogenesis with Risk Group 3 microorganisms.

Experience in drug development or drug assessment related to infectious diseases.

Experience in the development of sensors for microbe or toxin detection in environmental or clinical applications.

Experience in Next Generation Sequencing and bioinformatics.

Experience in conducting or participating in national or international level meetings or consultations.

Experience supervising technical support staff or students in research projects.

Experience in experimental design and statistical analysis.

ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS

Employment equity may be used to address the under representation of designated groups.

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be willing and able to perform work that is physically demanding and repetitive in nature.

Must be willing and able to work in a field setting (non-laboratory), including in adverse weather conditions.

Must be willing and able to work with animal models that are utilised for experimental and training purposes.

Must be willing and able to work with hazardous biological agents and other highly toxic biological agents and materials, for some of which medical countermeasures are of limited effectiveness.

Must successfully complete training in basic first aid and advanced emergency medical training.

Must be willing and able to wear a full military or first-responder personal protective ensemble for extended durations of at least 4 h in the laboratory or field.

Must be willing and able to become a member of a Suffield Research Centre Emergency Response Team.

Must be willing and able to work overtime, including weekends.

Must be willing and able to travel for government business several times per year for periods possibly in excess of 1 week at a time.

Must be willing and able to obtain and retain a DND 404 driver’s licence.

Must undergo and pass employment medical assessments, as may be periodically required.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance - Must be willing and able to obtain and retain a Secret (Level II) security clearance.

Must be willing to obtain and retain a Human Pathogens Toxins Act (HPTA) security clearance.

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

• Candidates must meet the essential qualifications to be appointed to a position.
• 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).
• Candidates will be asked to provide proof of their education credentials and proof of citizenship at the assessment stage of this process. Failure to do so may result in your application not being considered further in the selection process.
• The assessment of candidates could take the form of one or more of the following: written examinations, interviews, practical exercises, role-plays, behaviour-based questions, situational exercises and reference checks.
• 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
• Candidates may be required to meet the asset qualifications or the organizational needs, depending on the requirements of the specific position being staffed.
• You must indicate on your application if you require a technical aid for testing or an alternative method of assessment.

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.