Research Technician – Hemiptera (Sternorrhyncha) Systematics & Taxonomy

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

The incumbent will provide technical support towards systematics research on aphids, scale insects, psyllids, whiteflies and thrips at the Canadian National Collection of Insects, Arachnids and Nematodes in Ottawa, ON. Under the direction of the Research Scientist, the successful candidate will coordinate and perform activities in both field and laboratory environments, including: the collection and curation of samples; the identification and characterization of specimens using a combination of morphological and molecular techniques; the development, adaptation and implementation of genomic approaches; the analysis, curation and preservation of biological data; and provide assistance with the preparation of scientific manuscripts and presentations. They will also provide assistance with staffing, training and supervising volunteers, students, and visiting researchers, manage laboratory operations, such as the procurement and maintenance of supplies, and equipment maintenance, and will be expected to work as part of a larger team and interact effectively with project collaborators, visiting researchers, AAFC staff, students, casual and contract workers, and volunteers.

Work environment

As one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, 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.

Intent of the process

Immediate need: 1 full time permanent 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, 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.

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

EDUCATION
- Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with acceptable specialization in molecular biology, entomology or discipline directly related to the duties of the position or an acceptable combination of education, training and 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
- Experience designing, optimizing and executing field or laboratory experiments/protocols.
- Experience collecting and curating insects or arachnids.
- Experience preparing nucleic acids for next-generation sequencing using short read (e.g. Illumina) or long read (e.g. PacBio/Oxford Nanopore) technologies or Sanger sequencing.
- Experience analyzing next-generation sequencing datasets for population genetic or phylogenetic applications using bioinformatics approaches.
- Experience drafting scientific presentations, reports or publications.

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

EDUCATION
- Graduation with Masters or Doctoral degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in a field relevant to the duties of the position.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE
- Experience training and directing people in field or laboratory environments.
- Experience managing a molecular biology laboratory.
- Experience examining insect or arachnid morphology using stereoscopic or upright compound light microscopes.
- Experience photographing insect or arachnid morphology.
- Experience managing, curating and preserving biological data.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE
- Knowledge of the principles, techniques and specialized instruments used in molecular biology research and next-generation sequencing.

COMPETENCIES
- Teamwork
- Interactive communication
- Initiative
- Attention to detail
- Planning and organizing
- Analytical thinking

ABILITIES
- Ability to independently prioritize, plan and execute laboratory procedures.
- Ability to collect and record data accurately, and interpret and analyze results.
- Ability to identify insects and arachnids under a microscope using taxonomic keys.
- Ability to use fine manual dexterity for manipulation of very small, delicate arthropod specimens under a stereo microscope.

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

KNOWLEDGE
- Knowledge of theories on morphological and molecular evolution, systematics and phylogenetics.
- Knowledge of biological classification and insect taxonomy.
- Knowledge of Hemiptera systematics.
- Knowledge of safety procedures and precautions to be followed in a molecular biology laboratory.
- Knowledge of scientific software commonly used for bioinformatics analyses.

ABILITIES
- Ability to identify plants in the field.

ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS
In support of achieving a diversified workforce, consideration may be given to candidates self-identifying as belonging to one of the following employment equity groups: Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities; visible minorities, women.

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

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
- Ability and willingness to travel.
- Ability and willingness to work overtime.
- Ability and willingness to work variable hours.
- Ability and willingness to work for extended periods in field and laboratory environments.
- Ability and willingness to work outdoors under variable weather conditions.
- Ability and willingness to do repetitive tasks.
- Ability and willingness to work with hazardous materials and equipment.
- Ability and willingness to work with organisms that may cause allergies.
- 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.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Valid Driver’s licence

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.

Reference checks may be sought.

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.