Research Assistant - Microbiology

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

We require a person to conduct anaerobic microbiology experiments involving isolation, characterization and genomic/transcriptomic analysis of rumen microbes. The candidate will also be involved in research using next-generation sequencing to examine the impact of feed additives on the rumen microbial community.

Work would involve:
• Anaerobic microbiology;
• Collection and processing of rumen contents from beef cattle;
• Isolation and sequencing of DNA/RNA from rumen samples and rumen microbes;
• Bioinformatic analysis of sequence data using the appropriate programs in unix and R;
• Establish and maintain a database of samples including: rumen contents, microbial isolates, extracted DNA/RNA.

Intent of the process

Immediate need: 1 full time temporary position (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, 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.

Contact information for 2 references.

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

B.Sc. degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in microbiology, biochemistry, biology, or a related field.

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 providing technical support in a laboratory environment.
Experience in anaerobic microbiology (such as isolation and growth of anaerobic microbes, preparation of anaerobic growth media, long-term storage of anaerobic cultures).
Experience sequencing DNA and RNA using next-generation sequencing.
Experience creating draft reports and contributing to the preparation of research communication, publications in peer-reviewed journals or posters presentation.

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

Experience working with rumen-fistulated beef cattle, including handling, caring for, and sampling from the rumen.
Experience conducting experiments with bacterial pathogens in a Containment Level II microbiology laboratory.
Experience extracting DNA/RNA from environmental samples.
Experience carrying out molecular cloning.
Experience with next-generation sequencing.
Experience supervising undergraduate students in a laboratory setting.
Experience with relevant data analysis software (unix, R, Galaxy, etc) and analyses of sequence data.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of the principles of microbiological techniques.
Knowledge of the principles of molecular biology techniques.

Initiative
Concern for Safety
Interactive Communication
Planning and Organizing
Teamwork

Ability to make observations, collect and record data accurately and interpret and analyze results.

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

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 and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) employees affected by work force adjustment.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Valid driver’s license.
Ability and willingness to travel on occasion.
Ability and willingness to work overtime including evenings and weekends.
Ability and willingness to work flexible hours.
With appropriate safety precautions in place, must be able and willing to work in a laboratory for extended periods at a time, and able and willing to work with infectious agents and hazardous materials.
Ability and willingness to work in level II containment facility.
Ability and willingness to follow required training to work in level II containment facility.
Ability and willingness to control allergies, through the use of personal protective equipment and/or medication and this must not impinge upon the duties to be performed.
Ability and willingness to do repetitive tasks.
Ability and willingness to work with cattle.

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.