Research Assistant - Meat Quality/Meat Sensory Evaluation

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 successful candidate will participate in multidisciplinary projects related to various aspects of Meat Quality such as animal performance, carcass merit, meat colour and tenderness, and sensory evaluation. Handling meat from different species (e.g. beef, pork, bison, poultry, lamb, goat) will be part of the operational requirements. Part of the responsibilities will include method development, sample collection and storage, database managing, training of Co-op students, and development of laboratory standard operating procedures for research activities. The successful candidate will be working in coordination with several other research teams and institutions and will be required to maintain effective and respectful communication with members of their own work group and other work groups at the Centre, with service and sales representatives, and members of the public as operations dictate.

Intent of the process

Immediate need:
1 full-time temporary position (1 year term with possibility of becoming permanent).
1 full-time temporary position (1 year term).

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: 2

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

Diploma or degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in a science-based field related to the duties of 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 providing technical support in a laboratory environment (i.e. biology lab, chemistry lab, food quality lab or lab in a related field).
Experience developing general analytical chemistry techniques.
Experience using database software (e.g. Excel, Access).

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

Experience working in a meat research environment.
Experience using procedures for sensory evaluation of meat, including panelist training and sensory design using Compusense.
Experience developing analytical methods using gas chromatography or mass spectrometry.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of agricultural animal anatomy and physiology.
Knowledge of descriptive statistics used in the biological data sets.
Knowledge of general laboratory practices and safety precautions.

Initiative
Interactive communication
Teamwork
Concern for safety
Planning and organizing

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

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

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Valid Driver's License.
Ability and willingness to travel nationally and internationally for training purposes.
Ability and willingness to work under challenging conditions (i.e. temperature extremes in abattoir and coolers, equipment noise and slippery floors in the processing areas, and malodorous conditions in the offal collection area).
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.
Ability and willingness to work overtime including evenings and weekends.
Ability and willingness to work flexible hours (and early hours).
Ability and willingness 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

ASSESSMENT 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.