Head Core Microscopy Research Support Unit (RSU)

Update: Please note that the selection process has been amended to extend the closing date to February 20, 2020 - 23:59, Pacific Time.

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

Preference may be given to the following employment equity groups: Aboriginal peoples and women.

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

The Summerland Research And Development Centre is seeking a person to lead a core microscopy research support unit to support science programs at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). Reporting to the Director of Research, Development and Technology, this key role plans and conducts microscopy and imaging analyses on a diversity of biological material; selects and performs the appropriate microscopy and imaging technology for analyses; provides quantitative and qualitative data to scientists; presents images used for publication in scientific journals; fosters learning in confocal, electron, and light microscopy techniques; provides service, interpretations and advice to scientific team members; and provides guidelines for laboratory operations and safety.

Work environment

As one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, Agriculture and Agri-foods Canada (AAFC) is proud to celebrate our achievement in creating a diverse, respectful, and positive workplace where all employees are valued and recognized for their unique qualities, ideas, voices, and perspectives. Joining AAFC means being part of a network of over 20 research centres across the country along with access to a vast community of expertise. The Summerland Research and Development Centre Core Microscopy Facility has become a referent, not only within AAFC, but also among other federal departments and academia given its unique equipment set and constant support to science programs. The Core Microscopy Facility currently includes two scanning electron microscopes, one transmission electron microscope, two laser confocal microscopes, several fluorescent light microscopes, a preparatory laboratory and sundrie microscopy related equipment.

Intent of the process

Immediate need: 1 indeterminate position.

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.

A list of the courses you have taken as well as any courses that you are taking now, or that you will be taking this academic year

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

Graduation with an acceptable Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with a specialization in a biological science in addition to a specialization in microscopy, computer science, physics, electron microscopy, imaging or another specialization in a field relevant to the position .

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 (≥5 years) working in core scientific microscopy imaging facilities.
Experience in the organization, collection, preservation and processing of biological samples for microscopy.
Experience in the development of methodologies for processing samples for microscopy.
Experience troubleshooting and routine maintenance of microscopes and computer systems.

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

Graduation with an advanced degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with a specialization in a field relevant to the duties of the position.

Degree equivalency

Experience in confocal microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and fluorescence light microscopy.
Experience in developing new techniques of electron and light microscopy.
Experience in running a microscopy services laboratory.
Experience preparing and presenting activity reports.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of theories, principles, and practices associated with microscopy and macroscopy imaging of biological samples.
Knowledge of image processing and analysis, and common image processing packages.
Knowledge of advanced labeling and imaging techniques.

Adaptability
Initiative
Interactive Communication
Teamwork
Creativity
Partnering
Writing Skills

Ability to provide advice on experimental design.
Ability to foster learning for the selection and application of the appropriate advanced light and electron microscopy techniques.
Ability to supervise core imaging facilities.
Ability to provide services to clients.

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

Ability to use operating systems such as Linux/Unix.
Ability to analyze images using deep learning software programs.

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

Information on employment equity

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Possession of a valid driver’s license or personal mobility to the extent normally associated with the possession of a valid driver’s license.
Ability and willingness to travel.
Ability and willingness to apply general laboratory safety guidelines.

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.

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).

All communication relating to this process, including email correspondence, may be used in the assessment of qualifications.

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.

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.