Research Assistant - 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

Duties

The candidate contributes to a research team with duties encompassing maintenance of potato germplasm collections, development of potato varieties using standard field and laboratory procedures, and development of improved breeding methods. The candidate contributes to new knowledge by collecting experimental data, conducting data analysis, assisting in the preparation of reports and presentations and supporting technology transfer activities.

Work environment

The candidate will report to a Research Scientist or Biologist within the Potato Improvement Program. This team is responsible for the development of new potato varieties and novel germplasm using conventional and advanced breeding technologies.

Intent of the process

The intent is to staff immediately an indeterminate position at the EG-03 and the EG-04 group and level.

A pool of qualified candidates may be established and may be used for similar permanent opportunities for the location indicated for this process.

In the event that an employee of the public service is qualified through this process, he/she may be considered for acting, deployment, assignment or secondment opportunities.

Positions to be filled: 2

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)

All positions:
Secondary school diploma or an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

Degree equivalency

Essential Qualifications
All positions:
Experience providing technical support for research projects in a laboratory or field environment.
Experience collecting and performing tests on samples.

EG-04 positions:
Experience in planning, executing and managing plant research activities in laboratory, greenhouse or field environments.

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

Asset Qualifications (all positions):
Degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in one of the following fields: Agriculture, Horticulture, Agronomy, Biology, Botany, Biochemistry, Biotechnology, Genetics or related field.

Degree equivalency

All positions:
Experience with crop germplasm variety development.
Experience with plant genetics.
Experience with agronomy.

EG-04 positions:
Experience in standard techniques associated with plant tissue culture.
Experience in standard techniques associated with molecular biology.
Experience in standard techniques associated with plant pathology.
Experience in standard techniques associated with entomology.
Experience in standard techniques associated with plant physiology.
Experience in standard techniques associated with cytogenetics research.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

All positions:
Knowledge of the laboratory methodologies and field practices applicable to plant breeding.

EG-04 positions:
Depending on the position to be staffed, the following knowledge criteria may be applicable:

Knowledge of standard laboratory techniques associated with plant tissue culture and molecular biology.
Knowledge of standard methods for evaluation of agronomic, disease and post-harvest traits in research plots.

All positions:
Teamwork
Planning and organization
Problem solving

All positions:
Ability to make observations, collect and record data accurately.
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing

EG-04 positions:
Ability to interpret and analyze results from scientific experiments.

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

The conditions of employment will be specific to each position; they are not limited to, but could include:
Valid driver's license.
Ability and willingness to work overtime.
Ability and willingness to travel.
Known allergies must be controlled through the use of personal protective equipment and/or medication and must not impinge upon the duties to be performed.
Ability and willingness to work in laboratory, greenhouse, and field environments for extended periods of time with appropriate safety precautions in place.
Ability and willingness to work outdoors under variable weather conditions.
Ability and willingness to work with hazardous materials under normal safety precautions.
Ability and willingness to lift boxes and bags of potatoes up to 25 kg.
Ability and willingness to stand for extended periods of time on concrete floor and walk through uneven ground in potato fields.
Ability and willingness to work in field requiring bending or squatting to pick samples from plants or from the ground in sunny, hot or cold conditions.

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.