Research Technician - Plant Pathology

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

A Research Technician is required at the Kentville Research and Development Centre to conduct research in a plant pathology laboratory, to provide leadership and training within the laboratory to students (graduate and undergraduate), to contribute to technical writing, to purchase equipment and reagents, and to maintain project budgets. The incumbent will also conduct experiments in molecular plant pathology including qPCR and digital droplet PCR, and amplicon sequencing. Current research projects in the lab include characterization and identification of plant pathogens, microbiome analysis and management of apple fruit rots.

Intent of the process

The initial staffing need is determinate: 1 year term.

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

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)

Graduation from a recognized post-secondary institution with a degree in biological sciences, microbiology, molecular biology, plant biology, plant pathology or a related field OR an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

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 in a research or laboratory environment for conducting molecular plant pathology experiments and executing multiple research projects.
Experience in detection and quantification of plant pathogens in soil and plant tissues.
Experience in DNA and RNA extraction and purification from complex samples.
Experience in PCR analysis using qPCR and digital droplet PCR.

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

Post-graduate degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with emphasis on molecular plant pathology, molecular biology, plant physiology or a related field.

Degree equivalency

Experience in isolating, culturing and maintaining fungal and bacterial pathogens.
Experience in completing project goals and maintaining records of project budgets.
Experience in training students and delegating duties to temporary staff.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of current concepts, theories and principles of plant pathology and host-pathogen interaction.
Knowledge of latest laboratory methodologies and tools used in research related to plant pathology and host-pathogen interaction.

Adaptability
Initiative
Interactive Communication
Teamwork

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

Knowledge of experimental design, statistical analysis methods and sampling protocols in plant pathology related research.

Ability to perform tasks related to lab management, such as ordering, maintenance and calibration of lab instruments and equipment.
Ability to plan and setup laboratory, growth room, and field experiments.
Ability to collect and analyse experimental data and contribute to the research reports and publications.

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

Valid drivers licence
Ability and willingness to conduct laboratory and field work
Ability and willingness to do repetitive tasks including the use of fine motor skills for extended periods
Ability and willingness to work with chemicals and biological agents
Ability and willingness to work with hazardous chemicals and carcinogenic reagents
Ability and willingness to work flexible hours when required
Ability and willingness to lift bags of soil, fertilizer and plant material weighing up to 20 kg for short periods of time

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 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 the email referenced below under "Contact Information".

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.