Defence Scientist

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

Communication for this process will be sent via email. It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure accurate contact information is provided in the cover letter and updated as required. Candidates who apply to this selection process should include an email address that accepts email from unknown users and check it regularly.

In addition to submitting your online application, for your application to be considered complete, please forward the following items at the time of the application to the following email address: , subject line Defence Scientist 20-DND-EA-MPC-471111. Incomplete applications will be eliminated from the selection process:
1. A cover letter (of no more than 2500 words), clearly demonstrating how the essential qualifications of Education and Experience are being met, and, where applicable, how the asset qualifications of Education and Experience are being met. It is your responsibility to provide appropriate examples that illustrate how you meet each qualification. Do not assume that the screening board has any previous knowledge of your background, qualifications, or work history. You must be specific and provide concrete examples/details for each Education and Experience element, as applications will be screened only on the information provided. Failure to provide sufficient information may result in your application being screened out of the process.
2. Curriculum Vitae, to include a list of scientific presentations and publications (e.g., thesis, dissertation, peer-review publications, analytical reports), scholarships, and awards (if applicable).
3. Copies of academic transcripts from your Bachelor’s, Master's, and, if applicable, Ph.D. programs to be scanned and emailed. The transcript(s) must demonstrate the completion of a graduate degree. Unofficial copies of the transcripts are acceptable at this stage; official copies will be required at a later stage in the process.
4. Three professional or academic references (including a contact email and phone number for each). References should be familiar with the research experience of the applicant, and should not include family or classmates.

Work environment

Director General Military Personnel Research and Analysis (DGMPRA) conducts research and analysis aimed at generating evidence-based insights and recommendations in support of decision-makers responsible for the development of personnel policies and programs, and for the management of military and civilian personnel in the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces. Areas of research and analysis include attraction and recruitment, selection and assessment, career management, training and education, attrition and retention, conditions of service and work environment, personnel and family support, psychosocial health dynamics, operational and organizational effectiveness, leadership, diversity and inclusion, forecasting, and workforce analytics. Scientists within DGMPRA conduct studies using a range of quantitative and qualitative research techniques, and generate products in the form of scientific reports and briefings geared to both scientific audiences and to senior non-scientific clients alike. Defence scientists are also responsible to generate new scientific capabilities within their domain, as well as to interact and collaborate with scientific partners in academia, industry, other government departments, and allied nations. All of this ensures the Department has access to the best scientific knowledge available to address its personnel research requirements today and in the future.
Addressing these personnel research requirements involves the development and application of social science research methods in dealing with a wide range of personnel issues. While DGMPRA is looking for researchers who might suit any of the areas listed above, we are looking to strengthen our expertise in industrial/organizational psychology, criminology and forensic psychology, advanced social science research methods, research integration, knowledge translation, and science-policy integration. We encourage all those who are committed to excellence and are seeking a challenging career in scientific research and development in support of National Defence to apply.

Intent of the process

This process may be used to fill similar positions with various language requirements, security requirements and tenures, which may vary according to the position being staffed.
A pool of qualified candidates will be established and may be used for similar indeterminate or specified period employment, casual appointments, and secondments.

Positions to be filled: 5

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

Education:
EDU1 Graduation from a recognized post-secondary institution with a Master’s degree or PhD in psychology, sociology, criminology, epidemiology, management sciences (specifically, with a specialization in organizational behaviour), or other social science disciplines related to personnel and human resources management. Must include a minimum of two semester-based courses (or an equivalent of one year-long course) in quantitative research methods, univariate or multivariate statistics.

*NOTE*: Candidates with foreign educational credentials are required to provide proof of Canadian equivalency. For further information you may consult the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials at www.cicic.ca.

Degree equivalency

Experience:
EX1 Academic and/or professional experience performing scientific research and analysis in domains applicable to personnel and human resources management (e.g., survey research, job analysis, statistical analysis, qualitative inquiry, and data analysis).

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

Asset Qualifications:
Education:
AQ1 An average of at least 80% in your programs of study.
AQ2 Graduation from a recognized post-secondary institution with a PhD.
AQ3 Specialization in industrial/organizational psychology, health / occupational health psychology, forensic psychology, criminology, science-policy integration.

Degree equivalency

Experience:
AQ4 Experience in conducting research in the domains of organizational behaviour, organizational development, occupational health psychology, diversity and inclusion, and hateful conduct.
AQ5 Experience conducting job analyses or designing selection instruments.
AQ6 Experience conducting advanced statistical analysis (e.g., Latent Profile/Class Analysis; Invariance Testing; Bi-factor SEM; HLM).
AQ7 Experience in conducting research interviews or focus groups.
AQ8 Experience in research and/or data integration.
AQ9 Experience conducting research related to military or para-military personnel.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge:
K1 Knowledge of the principles and application of quantitative and qualitative research methods and associated analytical techniques relevant to individual, organizational, social, and/or behavioural research and analysis.

Abilities:
A1 Ability to apply sound analytical techniques to identify the critical parameters when solving complex problems.
A2 Ability to communicate scientific concepts and results orally to scientific and non-scientific audiences.
A3 Ability to communicate scientific concepts and results in writing to scientific and non-scientific audiences.
A4 Ability to manage multiple competing priorities and meet deadlines.

Personal Suitability:
PS1 Interpersonal skills
PS2 Dependability
PS3 Initiative
PS4 Judgement
PS5 Adaptability / Versatility
PS6 Attention to detail

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

In support of Strong, Secure, Engaged (SSE) initiative #24, consideration may be given to the spouses or common-law partners of Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members.

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
Must be willing to travel.
Must be willing to work overtime on occasion.

Conditions of employment

Reliability clearance
Secret security clearance

Tests

PSEE - Test of Judgement UIT

Applicants must complete the Public Service Entrance Exam: Test of Judgement Unsupervised Internet Test as part of the screening for this selection process. This test assesses the judgement required for solving problems in work-related situations. You will have 75 minutes to complete the test. You must complete the test before you submit your application for this position.

For more information, please consult: Public Service Entrance Exam - Test of Judgement Unsupervised Internet Test

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

Please note that all information obtained throughout the selection process, from the time of application to the close of the process, may be used to evaluate candidates.

Applicants must clearly demonstrate using sufficient details, how they meet the education and experience factors listed under the essential qualifications, as well as any of the asset qualifications that are applicable, including timelines of when this experience was gained (please indicate month and year). Lack of DETAILS may result in your application being rejected as the Assessment Board may have insufficient information to determine whether you meet the qualifications.

Various volume management strategies may be applied at any stage of the selection process such as random selection, top-down selection of candidates and screening based on degree of experience.

It is the responsibility of the candidate to clearly outline that they meet each of the screening criteria (i.e. Education and Experience Qualifications, both Essential and Assets) by RESPONDING TO THE SCREENING QUESTIONS IN THE ONLINE APPLICATION. Please note that it is not sufficient to only state that the requirement is met or to provide a listing of current responsibilities, rather the candidate must provide concrete examples that illustrate how they meet the requirement. Your resume will be used to validate the answers provided; therefore, it should also contain sufficient details regarding your education and experience. We thank all those who apply; however, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Reference checks may be sought.

An interview may be administered.

A test may be administered.

A situational exercise may be administered.

An assignment, secondment, or acting appointment requires approval of your supervisor.

You must provide proof of your education credentials.

Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language(s) of their choice.

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.

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.