Research Biologist - Molecular Geneticist

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).

Intent of the process

We are seeking a research biologist to work at the Saskatoon Research and Development Centre with experience in molecular analyses of plant genomes in order to understand and characterise complex agricultural traits.

The successful candidate will work closely with a scientist on a project utilising structured genetic populations of Brassica oilseeds in order to dissect quantitative genetic traits. The candidate would be expected to analyse large marker datasets and apply computational algorithms to identify genomic regions controlling said traits. The candidate would also facilitate the development of sets of targeted markers for downstream breeding applications.

The immediate intent of this process is to fill one (1) full time term position in Saskatoon, SK. A pool of qualified candidates may be established and may be used for similar permanent and/or temporary employment for the location indicated for this process. In the event that an employee of the public service is qualified through this process, and there is a temporary need, he/she may be considered for acting, deployment, assignment or secondment opportunities.

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)

EDUCATION:
Graduation from a recognized post-secondary institution with a doctoral degree in a natural science with specialization in a field relevant to the duties of the position.

Persons may apply who are currently enrolled in a relevant Ph.D. program, and must have defended their thesis and been awarded their Ph.D. degree prior to appointment.

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:
Experience conducting research in molecular genetics and/or genomics in an agricultural crop.
Experience in the application of and analyses of data from high density molecular marker systems.
Experience in genomic analysis of plant diversity collections.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE:
Knowledge of genome-wide association analyses.
Knowledge of plant genetics.
Knowledge of plant genome organisation, in particular polyploid crops.

ABILITIES:
Adaptability
Interactive Communication
Teamwork

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

ASSET EXPERIENCE:
Experience in plant biochemistry or physiology related to abiotic stress.
Experience in computational biology related to genomics or transcriptomics analysis.
Experience in high throughput plant phenotyping.

ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS:
Placement of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) employees affected by work force adjustment.

In support of achieving a diversified workforce, consideration may be given to candidates self­ identifying as belonging to one of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal peoples, Persons with a Disability, Visible Minorities, Women.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Possession of 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 work in various environmental and weather conditions.
Ability and willingness to work in laboratory, greenhouse, and/or field environments for extended periods at a time.
Ability and willingness to work with chemicals.

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

APPLICATION & CORRESPONDENCE INFORMATION

Applications submitted by email will not be accepted. You must apply on-line through www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/jobs/services/gc-jobs.html.

Persons with disabilities preventing them from applying on-line are asked to contact 1-800-645-5605.

Please identify the following on your application: substantive group and level; employment status; Personal Record Identifier (PRI).

Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language(s) of their choice. Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred official language(s) 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.

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.

Tips for applicants:
• Please provide complete and thorough details of your education and experience.
• Do not assume that the screening board has any previous knowledge of your background, qualifications, or work history. You must be specific and provide concrete examples/details for each Experience element, as applications will be screened only on the information provided.
• Failure to provide sufficient information may result in your application being screened out of the competition.

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

Recent and past performance evaluations may be used as part of the assessment. Accordingly, you may be required to submit a copy of your last two Performance Ratings/Evaluations as part of this selection process. Please be prepared to provide such documentation should it be requested from the selection board.

Depending on the number of applicants, volume management strategies such as random selection, top-down approach and/or establishing cut-off scores to determine who will continue in the staffing process, may be used for the purpose of managing applications. Please note that although you may attain the established pass mark on any of the assessments used in this staffing process, management may decide to use a higher cut off score.

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.