Research Scientist-Aquatic microbial ecology or aquatic microbial ecotoxicology

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

*Sliding area of selection:

When it is uncertain where the pool of potential applicants is, a geographic area of
selection may be established with an indication that a larger geographic area of selection may be used if there is an insufficient number of applicants from the smaller geographic area.

Should an insufficient number of applicants be identified, within the above "who can apply" section, then persons residing outside Canada will be eligible for consideration in this process. Therefore, we encourage all candidates to apply.

If you live outside Canada and are not a Canadian citizen, please note that you must possess at a minimum, a valid work permit to temporarily work in Canada. Permanent resident status is required for full-time permanent work in
Canada. Therefore, if you are interested in working in Canada, it would be best to visit the Citizenship and Immigration Coming to Canada document. You may also contact your local Canadian embassy for more information
on immigration.

Duties

We are seeking a research scientist with expertise and experience to develop and lead a research program in the field of “Aquatic microbial ecology or aquatic microbial ecotoxicology”. The program will address nutrients and chemicals in aquatic ecosystems, genomics and other Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) priorities. The program will support multiple priorities and engage researchers internally and externally to ECCC. In particular, studies looking at “interactions between microorganisms and nutrients, carbon, products of nanotechnology, antimicrobials and plastics” will be critical in supporting decision making related to the “the effects of contaminants and other stressors on aquatic microbial dynamics ”. The successful candidate will provide scientific advice and transfer knowledge to assist decision makers in maintaining and restoring aquatic ecosystems. They will work closely with multidisciplinary groups of scientists, including “chemists, biologists and hydrologists”.

Work environment

The position will be staffed at the National Hydrological Research Centre (NHRC) in Saskatoon, SK and will work within the Watershed Hydrology and Ecology Research Division (WHERD) of the Water Science and Technology Directorate. The NHRC accommodates Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) scientific, technical and administrative staff from the Air and Water Science and Technology Directorates and the Meteorological Service of Canada.

Water science and technology research and technical staff at NHRC undertake laboratory and field activities which generate scientific data, related information and tools aimed to assist in sustaining Canada’s freshwater ecosystems. Hydrological and ecological information gathered from studies in rivers and lakes in the Canadian Prairies and North enable scientists to better understand and predict the impacts of climate variability and anthropogenic disturbances on sensitive aquatic systems. Studies focused on aquatic microbial ecology/microbial ecotoxicology and the effects of emerging contaminants on food webs in lakes and streams inform the development of adaptation strategies to protect key/vulnerable water resources and aquatic ecosystems.
The centre houses a wide range of specialized laboratories with well-equipped microbiology laboratories and offers multiple collaborative opportunities with academic partners in University of Saskatchewan including access to the Canadian Light Source in Saskatoon. The researchers also have access to a large research support group (electronics and engineering) and the ISO certified National Laboratory for Environmental Testing. ECCC scientists work nationally and internationally on aquatic research and development to find ways of sustaining our freshwater ecosystems. Through ecosystem-based research, ECCC uses its scientific knowledge to develop government policies and programs, for public decision-making, and to aid in identifying environmental problems. ECCC Scientists provide peer-reviewed advice and support to government decision making on a broad range of aquatic ecosystem issues, including climate change, hydrology, nutrient loadings, harmful algal blooms, water availability and emerging issues such as antimicrobial resistance and micro and nanoplastics in the environment.

The Public Service of Canada has the reputation of being one of the best public service organizations in the world. As public servants, we are responsible for upholding the public trust and serving Canadians, their communities, and the public interest under the direction of the elected government and in accordance with the law. For more information about ECCC and what it means to be a public servant, we invite you to review the Ministerial Briefing Book for the department and the latest Annual Report to the Prime Minister on the Public Service of Canada by the Clerk of the Privy Council and Secretary to the Cabinet as well as the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector.
We strongly believe that our reputation is founded on our Public Service values and ethics.At ECCC, we are committed to bring to life the Public Service values and ethics in all our practices and interactions with one another. Respect and integrity are of great importance to us!

Intent of the process

The immediate need is to staff an indeterminate position in Saskatoon, (SK).

A pool of qualified candidates may be established from this process which may be used to staff similar positions within Environment and Climate Change with various tenures (e.g. indeterminate, specified period, deployment, assignment), with various language requirements and profiles and conditions of employment

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

Education:
• Graduation with an acceptable doctoral degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in a field of natural sciences or field related to the duties of the position.

• Scientific Productivity/Recognition:
Productivity or recognition is required for all positions in the Research Scientist sub-group (SE-RES) (Revised October 1, 1999).

Productivity or recognition includes 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:
a) Research, experimental development, or tasking associated with operational equipment and problems;
b) Operational research and scientific analysis;
c) Planning, analysis and evaluation of Canadian and foreign programs in research and development.

Candidates should indicate clearly how they meet the productivity and recognition requirements of the position.

Degree equivalency

Essential Qualifications - Experience :
• Recent* and significant** experience in the conception, planning and conducting of original research in microbiology relevant to aquatic ecosystems.
• Experience conducting independent post-doctoral+ research in a relevant field related to this position.
• Recent* experience in contributing to the development of modified or novel approaches in applying molecular techniques to characterize aquatic microbial community composition and dynamics.
• Experience contributing to new knowledge through research leading to advancements in the field of aquatic microbial ecology and/or microbial ecotoxicology.

*Recent is defined as within the last 5 years.
** Significant is defined as at least 2 years.
+Post-doctoral is defined broadly as conducted after the successful completion of PhD degree.

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

Asset Qualifications - Experience:
• Experience in laboratory or field work studying the ecology of microbial communities including, bacteria, archaea, algae or cyanobacteria in freshwaters and their response to environmental contamination.
• Experience of bioinformatics methods for characterizing the structure and function of microbial communities.
• Experience with metagenomics, metatranscriptomic, or metabolomic techniques to characterize the structure and function of complex microbial communities in aquatic ecosystems.
• Experience writing research grant applications or proposals as principal investigator/co-investigator.
• Experience interacting with governments (e.g. provincial, municipal, First Nations), industry or other stakeholders.

Operational Requirements:
• Valid driver's license
• Willing and able to work in the laboratory and in the field under less than ideal conditions (e.g., inclement weather).
• Willing and able to be away from home for one or two weeks at a time on work-related travel.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Essential Qualifications - Knowledge:
• Broad knowledge of the ecology of microbial communities in aquatic ecosystems.
• In-depth knowledge of molecular approaches to characterizing and understanding microbial community structure and function.

Essential Qualifications - Compentencies:
• Mobilize people
• Strategic thinking
• Adaptability/Flexibility
• Interpersonal skills

Essential Qualifications - Abilities:
• Ability to assess the pertinence of your research and how it can support the Government of Canada environmental priorities.
• Ability to present scientific information to various audiences orally and in writing.

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

Asset Qualification Ability:
• Ability to understand the role of a researcher as a federal Public Servant.

ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS:

Environment and Climate Change Canada is committed to having a skilled and diversified workforce representative of the population we serve. In support of our Engagement Strategy to achieve employment equity goals, consideration may be given to candidates self-identifying as belonging to one of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal peoples, Persons with a Disability, Visible Minorities and Women.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status 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

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.

Candidates must meet the essential qualifications to be appointed to a position.

Asset experience could be used at the screening stage. Please ensure that you clearly indicate with concrete examples how you meet theses qualifications.

Several methods of assessment may be used to assess potential candidates (written exam, interview, reference check, etc.).

Acknowledgment of receipt of applications will not be sent; we will contact candidates when the screening process is completed.

If you are already working for the Public Service, please clearly identify your substantive group and level, your employment status, and PRI on your application.

Successful candidate(s) will be required to provide proof of their education credentials, in the form of a diploma or official transcript (original documents only). Candidates with foreign credentials must provide proof of Canadian equivalency. Consult the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials for further information at http://www.cicic.ca/.

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.

Our intention is to communicate with the candidates by email. Candidates who apply to this selection process must include in their application a valid email address and make sure that this address is functional at all times and accepts messages from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email).

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.