Research Assistant - Research Affiliate Program

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

When answering the screening questions you must provide concrete and detailed examples to clearly demonstrate how you meet the qualification. We can’t make any assumptions about your experience. Simply saying you have the required qualifications or listing duties is not enough. Instead, provide concrete and detailed examples that clearly explain where, when, and how you gained the experience. We’ll only use your résumé as a secondary source of information. The breadth and depth of experience may be considered during screening, assessment and/or selection of candidates.

Other qualifications and selection considerations may be a deciding factor in choosing the person to be appointed (i.e., asset qualification, availability, depth and breadth of experience, knowledge, etc.).

We may assess the essential and asset qualifications using your application, interview, references or a combination of these methods.

Duties

As a Research Assistant, the successful candidate will develop an evaluation framework and plan for select natural language processing (NLP) software to assess if the software meets the needs of the Public Health Agency of Canada.

Duties will include:
(1) Become familiar with the Canadian Immunization Guide: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/canadian-immunization-guide.html
(2) Develop an evaluation framework and plan to assess select NLP software. Pilot and adjust the evaluation framework and plan, as necessary.
(3) Implement evaluation plan by analyzing available NLP software.
(4) Draft manuscript(s) for peer reviewed journal publication.

Work environment

The National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) Secretariat at the Public Health Agency of Canada is located at 130 Colonnade Road, Ottawa, Ontario and consists of an interdisciplinary team of epidemiologists, health economists, nurses and public health physicians. The NACI Secretariat is responsible for supporting the development of recommendations for the use of vaccines approved for use in Canada. These recommendations are summarized in the Canadian Immunization Guide.

The ideal start date of this position will be in January 2019. The student will work closely with the NACI Secretariat team. Telework is possible, in which case all collaborative activities will take place by teleconference. This can be a challenging approach to collaborative research, and regular communication between the Research Assistant and the team will be essential.

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)

Education:
The student must be currently enrolled in: at least 2nd Year Master’s degree, or a PhD program with a specialization in Computer Science in a recognized post-secondary academic institution with full-time status.

Degree equivalency

Experience:
- Experience in natural language processing (through coursework or work experience)
- Experience in programming using python and R (through coursework or work experience)

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

Asset Qualifications:
- Experience in machine learning techniques

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge:
- Knowledge of natural language processing
- Knowledge of programming languages (python and R)

Competencies:
- Demonstrating integrity and respect
- Thinking things through
- Working effectively with others
- Showing initiative and being action-oriented

Abilities:
- Ability to communicate effectively orally
- Ability to communicate effectively in writing

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance - Note: Each student hired through the Research Affiliate Program (RAP) must meet the security requirements of the position as a condition of employment. Therefore, the student will be asked by the hiring organization to complete security-related documents.

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

While non-Canadians may apply, preference is given to Canadian citizens. A Canadian citizen is a person who was born in Canada or who has obtained Canadian citizenship.

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 provide an email address that accepts email from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email).

Applications will be accepted on-line only. Please click on the button “Apply Online” below.

Preference

Preference will be given to Canadian citizens.

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