Research Scientist * Two Streams

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

Intent of the process

The immediate intent of this process is to staff 2 Indeterminate positions with English Essential profiles.

In addition, applicants should be aware that this selection process may be used to staff similar positions at this group and level across Health Canada.

As a result of the potential and possible use of the selection process and subsequent pool by hiring managers, we encourage all employees seeking this type of position/workstream and/or group and level to apply.

Positions to be filled: 2

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter in 9,999 words (maximum) "Persons interested must submit, by the closing date, a complete application consisting of a covering letter AND a résumé supporting the information provided in the cover letter. Candidates must clearly demonstrate WHICH STREAMS THEY ARE APPLYING FOR IN THEIR COVER LETTER and how they meet the Essential Education and Experience criteria as well as assets if applicable. A recommended approach is to use the education and experience factors as headings in your cover letter. Under each heading you must write no more than two paragraphs that state exactly how you meet the education and experience factors. You must state clearly where and when you obtained the education and experiences, including the educational institution, and by identifying the employer(s) or organization(s) where you obtained the required experience factors, as well as concrete examples demonstrating your experiences. Failure to follow these instructions may result in your application being rejected."

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

Education:
Graduation with an acceptable doctoral degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in a field of natural sciences related to the duties of the position (such as: analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, environmental chemistry, biochemistry, food chemistry, agricultural chemistry).

Degree equivalency

Common Experience:

EEx1. Experience in planning and conducting research studies related to trace analysis of organic chemical species in complex matrices.
EEx2. Experience in presentation of analytical results and authoring scientific publications resulting from research in chemistry.
EEx3. Experience in the operation, maintenance, data acquisition and analysis using mass spectrometers, and interpretation of data developed with these detectors coupled to one or more of: 1) gas chromatography, 2) liquid chromatography.

Stream 1 Experience:

EEx4. Experience in method development, detection and quantification of natural toxins in a laboratory environment related to the analysis of trace amounts of natural toxins, with specific focus on mycotoxins, in complex matrices (e.g., biological matrices, food, etc.)

Stream 2 Experience:

EEx5. Experience in method development, detection and quantification of organic chemistry as it applies to chemical reaction mechanisms and chemical analysis in complex matrices.

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

Common Asset Experience:

AEx1. 6 months or more post-doctoral experience in an area of work relevant to Stream 1 or Stream 2.

Stream 1 Asset Experience :

AEx2. Experience in the development of multi-toxin methods of analysis.

Stream 2 Asset Experience :

AEx3. Experience in development of methods for the analysis of food processing induced chemicals.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Common Knowledge:

EK1. Knowledge of modern analytical techniques for the isolation, identification and quantification of trace amounts of organic compounds using gas chromatography or high pressure liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry.
EK2. Knowledge of the chemical and biochemical properties of xenobiotics and their potential to enter the food chain.
EK3. Knowledge of quality control procedures used to ensure reliable data in trace analysis, including within lab method validation techniques and quality management systems.

Stream 1 Knowledge:

EK4. Knowledge of the behaviour and analysis of mycotoxins at trace levels in food.

Stream 2 Knowledge:

EK5. Knowledge of the behaviour and analysis of chemical transformations occurring in food during storage and processing which could result in formation of contaminants.

Abilities:

A1. Ability to plan, manage and execute research programs in accordance with quality management guidelines.
A2. Ability to effectively communicate scientific ideas and data, to colleagues and superiors, in oral form.
A3. Ability to effectively participate in inter-disciplinary teams.
A4. Ability to prioritize and meet deadlines.
A5. Ability to train laboratory personnel and lead project teams.
A6. Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

Personal Suitabilities:

PS1. Effective interpersonal relationships.
PS2. Leadership.
PS3. Judgement.
PS4. Dependability.
PS5. Thoroughness.
PS6. Respectful of diversity.

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

Stream 1 Asset Knowledge :

AK1. Knowledge of the physicochemical properties and analysis of phycotoxins or phytotoxins.

Stream 2 Asset Knowledge :

AK2. Knowledge of organic chemistry with focus on chemical constituents present in food, including those compounds intrinsically formed during processing and those present as a result of processing activity.

Operation Needs:

Willingness and ability to work outside normal working hours.

Willingness and ability to work with chemicals.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

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

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.

Candidates will not be solicited for incomplete or possibly missing information.

For this process, emails are the most efficient way to communicate with you. Candidates who apply to this selection process must include an email address that accepts email from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email). If you do not wish to receive results by email or if you change your email address during the process, it is your responsibility to inform us.

If you required technical support to apply for this position, please contact jobs.gc.ca at: http://emplois-jobs.gc.ca/centres/contact-contactez/index-eng.php

Please note that candidates are responsible for submitting their application by the closing date in order to be considered. No applications will be accepted once the deadline has passed.

VERY IMPORTANT NOTE: The PSRS system will time out after 60 minutes of inactivity which may result in your inability to save your work or loss of data. It is recommended that you draft ALL RESPONSES in another document on your PC which may be saved (e.g. in MS Word or WordPerfect) and copy/paste into the PSRS system when completed. HEALTH CANADA IS NOT RESPONSIBLE FOR SYSTEM PROBLEMS WHICH MAY RESULT IN LOSS OF DATA AND/OR INCOMPLETE OR NON SUBMITTED APPLICATIONS.

ALL APPLICATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED ONLINE THROUGH THE PSRS SYSTEM. Do not e-mail, fax, or mail in hard copy documents.

Please note that volume management strategies, such as random selection, top-down approach, invoking any asset(s) and/or cut-off scores, MAY be used at any point in the staffing process for the purpose of managing volumes of applications/candidates.

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.