Biologist

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

AAFC is committed to diversity and inclusion and is proud to be recognized as one of Canada’s best diversity employers. We welcome all applicants and strongly encourage candidates to self-declare if they belong to an Employment Equity designated group (i.e. Aboriginal Peoples, Persons with Disabilities, Visible Minorities or Women).

Duties

- Development of mutagenized condiment mustard populations using the ethyl methane sulfonate (EMS) seed mutagenesis approach.
- Screening for herbicide (Solo and Dicamba) resistant plants including herbicide spray in the greenhouse and field.
- Development of herbicide resistant lines via pedigree breeding.
- Genetic and molecular studies on the herbicide resistant trait.
- Development of diverse Brassica juncea Ogura cms A lines and restorer lines.
- Analyzing on the research results.

Work environment

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) helps farmers and industry feed our country. We work to increase Canada’s exports, while providing leadership in the growth and development of a competitive, innovative and sustainable Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector.

The Saskatoon Research and Development Centre, located in the heart of the Prairies in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, conducts research on prairie crops to support the agri-food industry in Western Canada. It is located on the campus of the University of Saskatchewan.

The Centre emphasizes collaboration between several private and public research organizations and develops integrated crop management strategies for sustainable cropping systems on the Canadian Prairies through combining research in genetics and germplasm development, plant pathology, entomology, plant physiology, biochemistry and molecular biology.

It is the home of the Plant Gene Resources of Canada, an important international repository of crops.

Leading research focuses on the following five initiatives with a supporting role in agronomy and northern agriculture:
•Integrated crop management for sustainable cropping systems on the Canadian Prairies
•Sustainable management of plant diseases and insect pests
•Integrated strategies for genetic improvement of oilseed, legume, and forage crops
•Genetic resource conservation, characterization and utilization
•Bioproducts and bioresources

Intent of the process

A pool of qualified and partially qualified candidates will be established and may be used to staff similar positions with various tenures as well as various linguistic requirements.

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)

Graduation with a degree* from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in plant science or biological science.
*the term “degree” refers to a baccalaureate as established by educational authorities.

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 considered for appointment into the public service.

Degree equivalency

Experience in the design and conducting of scientific research as it relates to seed mutagenesis and development of herbicide resistant germplasm in Brassica species.
Experience in the design and conduct of scientific research as it relates to hybrid breeding in Brassica species.
Experience in analyzing research results and contributing to preparation of scientific manuscripts.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of seed mutagenesis and herbicides.
Knowledge of hybrid breeding for genetic enhancement of Brassica crops and yellow mustard.

Adaptability
Creativity
Initiative
Teamwork

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

Graduation from a recognized post-secondary institution with a doctoral degree in plant breeding and genetics.

Degree equivalency

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Ability and willingness to work overtime including evenings and weekends.
Ability and willingness to work with mutagens and herbicides.

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

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.