Research Assistant – Microbiology and Animal Science

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

• Collection, logging, transport and processing of samples (digesta, urine, fecal material, silage);
• DNA amplification using polymerase chain reaction;
• Molecular and microbiology duties include, but are not limited to, PCR, gel electrophoresis;
• Calibration of laboratory equipment;
• Perform standard procedures of analyses in a feed evaluation and microbiology laboratory;
• Data entry and initial analysis; record maintenance.

Intent of the process

Immediate need: 1 full time temporary position (duration of 1 year).

A pool of qualified candidates may be established and may be used for similar permanent and temporary employment.

In the event that an employee of the public service is qualified through this process, he/she may be considered for acting, deployment, assignment or secondment opportunities.

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)

Graduation with a bachelor’s degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in Animal Science, Microbiology, Food Bio-Product Science or Biology.

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 standard microbiological enumeration and isolation techniques and in feed evaluation.
Experience handling and manipulating routine animal science research experiments.
Experience using basic molecular biology techniques, including DNA extractions and PCR analyses for identification of bacterial strains.
Experience operating computer programs and adapting applications to organize and edit data for statistical analyses.

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

ASSET QUALIFICATIONS:
- Experience implementing research activities.
- Experience of bioinformatics and analysis of microbiota using next generation sequencing.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of theories and principles of animal science and molecular biology.
Knowledge of molecular biology techniques.
Knowledge of chemical and molecular analysis of forages and microbial forage inoculants.
Knowledge of data handling and analysis.

Planning and Organizing
Adaptability
Initiative
Teamwork
Interactive Communication

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

ASSET QUALIFICATIONS:
- Knowledge of sampling, handling and storage procedures for samples from livestock.
- Knowledge of ensiling process in cereal forages.
- Ability to write or draft scientific reports and manuscripts.

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

Information on employment equity

Placement of Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) employees affected by Work Force Adjustment.

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
- Ability and willingness to work overtime including evenings and weekends.
- Ability and willingness to work flexible hours.
- Ability and willingness to handle large animals.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Possession of a valid driver's license.
Ability and willingness to work in harsh environments (cold, hot, dust, and noise) with exposure to animal manure and animal body fluids (urine, rumen fluid).
Ability and willingness to work under various environmental and weather conditions.
Ability and willingness to work with hazardous chemicals.
Ability to perform standard procedures required in a feed evaluation and microbiology laboratory.
Ability to work independently with limited supervision.

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

ASSESSMENT 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).

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.