Research Scientist - Cereal Biotechnology and Functional Genomics

Update: UPDATE: Please note that the selection process has been amended to extend the closing date to December 24, 2018 - 23:59, Pacific Time.

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 specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Assessment accommodation

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

The position requires scientific innovation and leadership in the area of gene editing, cereal biotechnology and genomics. The successful candidate will be part of a multidisciplinary team of scientists at the Morden Research Development Centre (MRDC) working on identifying genes underlying economic traits in cereal crops and developing genomic strategies for crop improvement. The incumbent will have access to state-of the-art laboratories (including expertise and resources for cereal tissue culture and transformation) and research field sites and will have the opportunity to collaborate with stakeholders in academia and industry. Research Scientists have access to competitive core and external funding opportunities, and are supported by technical and administrative staff. Research Scientists are encouraged to seek university affiliation and co-supervise graduate students.

The researcher is expected to manage multiple projects in a multidisciplinary setting requiring collaboration with other scientific teams. They will be expected to seek internal and external funding and collaborators to support the research program and to effectively manage resources to achieve the desired outcomes. The scientist will directly supervise staff, and may mentor and train post doctoral fellows and graduate students.

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

The intent of this process is to fill one (1) full time permanent position in Morden, Manitoba.

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

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)

An acceptable doctoral degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in the field of plant genomics/biotechnology science or other relevant discipline related to the duties of the position.

Applications will be accepted from candidates enrolled in, but who have not yet completed their dissertation. Completion of the Ph.D. thesis defense must occur before the appointment date.

IF YOU HAVE FOREIGN CREDENTIALS, please follow the link below for information on how to obtain a degree equivalency. You must obtain an equivalency, at your own expense, in order to be appointed to a position within the public service.

Degree equivalency

Documented scientific productivity/recognition in the area of cereal genomics, gene editing or other relevant discipline. Examples include, but are not limited to, publications in recognized journals, book chapters, editorships, patents, crop varietal development, awards for scientific achievement, and recognition in the review of articles and scientific proposals.

Experience in designing and conducting research in gene editing on agricultural crops.

Experience in gene editing and genomic approaches to the study of genes that control traits of economic importance.

Experience analyzing and interpreting experimental data.

Experience working with a multi-disciplinary team.

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

Experience in gene editing in cereal crops.

Experience in downstream functional analysis of edited plants.

Experience writing grant applications.

Experience interacting with agricultural stakeholders.

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

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of gene editing technologies and applications as applied to crop biotechnology.

Knowledge of genomic technologies and resources to enable identification of genes underlying agronomic traits.

Intellectual Leadership
Initiative,
Team Work
Adaptability

Ability to present scientific information to various audiences.

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

Knowledge of genomic technologies and resources to enable identification of genes underlying agronomic traits in cereal crops.

Selection may be limited to members of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women

Information on employment equity

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Ability to obtain and maintain 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 control allergies, through the use of personal protective equipment and/or medication without impinging on the duties to be performed.

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 designated 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

ASSESSEMENT INFORMATION

You must meet all essential qualifications in order to be appointed to the position. Other qualifications may be a deciding factor in choosing the person to be appointed. Some essential and other qualifications will be assessed through your application. It is your responsibility to provide appropriate examples that illustrate how you meet each qualification. Failing to do so could result in your application being rejected.

Various assessment tools may be used, such as, standardized tests, interviews, references, board member knowledge, etc.

All communication relating to this process, including email correspondence may be used in the assessment of qualifications.

A random and/or top down selection of candidates may be used in the determination of those to be given further consideration in the assessment process.

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.

A test may be administered.

An interview may be administered.

Reference checks may be sought.

You must provide proof of your education credentials.

Asset qualifications may be used in the determination of those to be given further consideration in the assessment process.

APPLICATION & CORRESPONDENCE INFORMATION

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, with the exception of a job located in Nunavut, where Nunavut Inuit will be appointed first.

Information on the preference to veterans

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.