Research Scientist – Weed Science

Update: **AMENDMENT TO CLOSING DATE**

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

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 the expertise and experience to provide leadership for Weed Science and Integrated Pest Management related research who also has a knowledge of agronomic systems. The successful candidate is expected to develop a strong, applied research program with an interdisciplinary team of research scientists that will complement existing agronomy and pest management research undertaken at the various AAFC Research Centres and the universities in Western Canada. The individual is expected to have a strong ability to determine current issues and problems in the area of weed management and lead research in herbicide resistance; be able to prepare grant proposals; establish research protocols; and plan, design, and implement various research studies to solve current problems and potential issues that will impact Canadian agriculture. Weed science and management is critical to the development of sustainable and profitable crop production systems at the farm level. It is also critical for developing strategies to monitor and manage herbicide resistance and invasive alien species at the farm and ecosystem level.
The program to be developed must be responsive to the short- and long-term issues and the needs of various clients, including AAFC senior management, producers and the general public. While the emphasis of the program should be on problems relevant to western Canada, there is an expectation that some of the projects will have regional or national impacts.
The candidate must be able to work in a multi-disciplinary setting and create an environment that fosters collegiality, diversity and teamwork. The successful candidate will provide scientific advice and transfer technology to partners and clients that will assist the agriculture industry in the mitigation of threats against the economic viability of crop production and the environmental health of prairie agro-ecosystems, in particular through weed management. They will work closely with a multidisciplinary group of scientists across the prairie region, including other research agronomists, those specializing in the development of beneficial traits on all major crops and researching improvements in agro-ecosystem productivity and health.

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

Although we are looking to fill 1 full time permanent position, an inventory of qualified candidates may be created 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)

Graduation with an acceptable doctoral degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in a field of Weed Science, Integrated Weed Management or Agronomy or other relevant 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 appointment.

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 in the design and implementation of scientific research specifically as it relates to field agronomic practices in Canada.

Experience working with a variety of crops, weeds, and cropping systems.

Experience working on weed management in commercial crops.

Experience in publication of scientific innovation/productivity/recognition in the form of authorship/editorship of research results in recognized scientific journals, and published reports, books, papers, or other communications resulting from scientific research.

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

Experience in working on large agriculture-based datasets.

Experience writing grant applications

Experience working collaboratively with other researchers to develop multi-disciplinary research teams and address difficult problems.

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

Ability to lead a team

Ability to conduct in-depth statistical analysis of cropping systems data sets.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of molecular mechanisms of herbicide resistance.

Knowledge of weed biology and ecology.

Knowledge of current farming practices and cropping systems locally and across Canada.

Knowledge of integrated agronomic management strategies for enhanced crop yield and reduced environmental impact.

Interactive Communication

Teamwork

Intellectual Leadership

Effective Interpersonal Skills

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

Ability to present scientific information.

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 - Candidates must be able to obtain and maintain Security and Reliability level.

Possession of a valid driver’s license or personal mobility to the extent normally associated with the possession of a valid driver’s license

Ability and willingness to travel.
Ability and willingness to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends.
Ability and willingness to work in various environmental and weather conditions.
Ability and willingness to work in laboratory, greenhouse, and/or field environments for extended periods at a time.
Ability and willingness to work with chemicals and pesticides.

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 are dependant on 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.

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.