Graduate Student - 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

The Public Health Agency of Canada's National Microbiology Laboratory (NML) provides scientific expertise and laboratory capacity for infectious disease monitoring, detection, investigation and outbreak response to support national and international public health action. NML strives to be the employer of choice for Canadian and international scientific and non-scientific staff. Our employees contribute leadership, ingenuity, expertise and innovation to safeguard the health of Canadians and the global community.

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. 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.

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).

Duties

The student will develop bioinformatic tools and pipelines for analysis of WGS data of foodborne pathogens for outbreak detection, source attribution, and long-term surveillance.

Work environment

The student will work at the National Microbiology Laboratory in Guelph, Public Health Agency of Canada.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A list of the courses you have taken as well as any courses that you are taking now, or that you will be taking this academic year

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

Currently enrolled in a Master’s or PhD program in a recognized post-secondary academic institution with specialization in: bioinformatics, computer science or other specialization relevant to the position.

Degree equivalency

1. Experience developing clustering algorithms
2. Experience communicating complex scientific subject matter orally and in writing (publishing scientific papers, reports, documents, graphs, presentations or other material) in the area of expertise.
3. Experience in conducting experimental research independently.
4. Experience in performing data analyses using R or Python.
5. Experience in basic microbiological, immunological or molecular biological techniques.

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

EXPERIENCE (asset)
Experience working in the area of comparative genomics, computational biology and/or population genetics.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE
1. Knowledge of bash and at least two of the programming languages (e.g. Perl, Python, Java, R) used in the development of bioinformatics software.
2. Knowledge of the theories, principles and techniques of genomics and bioinformatics.
3. Knowledge of machine learning
4. Knowledge of phylogenetics

COMPETENCIES
1. Demonstrating integrity and respect
2. Thinking things through
3. Working effectively with others
4. Showing initiative and being action-oriented
5. Communication (oral and written)

The behavioural indicators of the core competencies (essential items 1-4) may be found at the following website by copying and pasting into your browser (intranet only):
http://intranet.canada.ca/hr-rh/ptm-grt/pm-gr/pmc-dgr/bi-ic-eng.asp

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

KNOWLEDGE (asset)
1. Knowledge of bioinformatics for analysis of the population structure of foodborne pathogens
2. Knowledge of microbial genomics and evolution
3. Knowledge of theories, principles and procedures of microbiology, immunology and molecular biology.

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

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance - Each student hired through the Research Affiliate Program (RAP) must meet the security requirements of the position as a condition of employment, and therefore will be asked by the hiring organization to complete security-relevant 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

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.

Candidates will be required to pay for their own travel related to assessment and successful candidates will be responsible for obtaining their own living accommodations.

Successful completion of both a RAP work assignment and your educational program may lead to a temporary or permanent federal public service position for which you meet the merit criteria and conditions of employment.

Preference

Preference will be given to Canadian citizens.

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