Research Assistant - Plant Pathology, Molecular Biology and Agronomy

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).

Intent of the process

The intent of this process is to staff two full-time indeterminate positions.

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: 2

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

A secondary school diploma 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 planning and conducting agronomic, or plant pathology, or molecular biology research in the field and laboratory.
Experience in experimental design and statistical analysis.
Experience contributing to the development of field and /or laboratory standard operating procedures for research activities.
Experience contributing to the preparation of research publications, reports or posters.

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

Degree from a recognized university in microbiology, plant pathology, plant science, natural resources, biological sciences, chemistry, plant breeding, agronomy, crop production, environmental sciences, soil science, biotechnology, biochemistry or other discipline related to the position.

Degree equivalency

Experience with advanced molecular biology techniques.
Experience in microscopy.
Experience operating field equipment such as tractors, seeders and implements attached to a tractor, as well as how to attach and detach the implements.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of plant pathology techniques including disease assessment, fungal isolation and identification, culturing and inoculation procedures.
Knowledge of basic molecular biology techniques.
Knowledge of field research operations (methodologies, tools, theories, practices and principles), sample collection procedures and performing analysis.
Knowledge of methods for crops assessment including agronomic quality and disease response data.

Teamwork
Interactive communication
Initiative
Concern for safety

Ability to make observations, collect and record data accurately, summarize and analyze results.
Ability to use basic computer programs, such as MS Excel and Word.

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

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Valid Driver’s licence.

Ability and willingness to travel.
Ability and willingness to work irregular hours and overtime.
Ability and willingness to work with high levels of noise and dust.
Ability and willingness to work outdoors under various weather conditions and with exposure to insects.
Ability and willingness to perform physically demanding work activities, including moderate to heavy manual work such as lifting objectives up to 25 kg.
Known allergies must be controlled through the use of personal protective equipment and/or medication and must not impinge upon the duties to be performed.
With appropriate safety precautions in place, able and willing to work in laboratory, greenhouse and/or field environments for extended periods at a time; able and willing to work outdoors under various weather conditions and under normal safety precautions able and willing to work with hazardous materials.

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. Candidates may be required to meet the asset qualifications, operational requirements or the organizational needs, depending on the specific position being staffed. 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.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/jobs/services/gc-jobs.html.

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.