Methodology Research Chemist

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

Carries out analysis of equine blood and urine samples for the detection of prohibited substances employing analytical chemistry techniques including the use of the latest mass spectrometry instruments. Carries out interpretation of the results and reports findings.

Plans and conducts research in the area of drug testing in equine body fluids. Generates monthly research reports based on their scientific data for presentation to the research group.

Calibrates, maintains and troubleshoots analytical instruments such as liquid chromatographs and mass spectrometers.

Trains and supports other laboratory staff in the use of specialized analytical instrumentation (liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry).

Supports the Manager, Research & Analysis in activities related to the CPMA Equine Drug Control Program and the CPMA Reference & Research Laboratory.

Work environment

Equine Forensic Laboratory located at 1130 Morrison Dr. Suite 101 Ottawa, ON

Intent of the process

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

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

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.

EDUCATION
Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in a natural, physical or applied science with specialization in a field relevant to the duties of the position, such as biochemistry, chemistry, pharmacology or forensic toxicology.

Note: The courses for the specialization must be acceptable and must have been taken at a recognized post-secondary institution, but not necessarily within a degree program in the required specialization.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE
Significant and recent experience* in the analysis of drugs (either human or veterinary) in equine body fluids by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) interfaced with mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS-MS) and high resolution accurate mass (HRAM) HPLC MS.

Experience in developing, adapting and validating analytical methods for the analysis of either human or veterinary drugs in equine body fluids.

Significant and recent experience* working in a laboratory accredited under ISO/IEC 17025.

Experience in the operation, maintenance and troubleshooting of HPLC with MS detection as applied to analytical chemistry or analytical toxicology.

*Significant and recent* experience is defined as experience associated with having performed a broad range of related activities which could normally be acquired over a period of approximately 5 years within the last 8 years.

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

Current membership in a professional association in racing chemistry and/or forensic science such as the Association of Official Racing Chemists or the Canadian Society of Forensic Sciences.

Experience in providing technical expertise with respect to the acquisition of new instrumentation, specifically HPLC-MS-MS.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge of the theories, principles and practices of analytical chemistry, as applied to analysis of drugs and metabolites in body fluids, using chromatographic and mass spectrometric techniques, including HPLC and HPLC/MS/MS.

Knowledge of analytical method development and validation techniques and practices.

Knowledge of section 204 of the Criminal Code and the Pari-Mutuel Betting Supervision Regulations, as they relate to the Equine Drug Control Program.

COMPETENCIES
Attention to detail
Ability to plan and prioritize multiple activities.
Ability to review data and interpret results.
Teamwork
Interactive Communication (Oral)
Analytical Thinking

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

Knowledge of ISO/IEC 17025.

Publication track record in drug testing and/or forensic toxicology in refereed journals and/or conference proceedings.

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

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.

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.

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.