Research Technician – Food Microbiology and Soil Microbiology

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

Food Microbiology position:

We are seeking a highly qualified and motivated Research Technician (EG-04) for a position in Food Microbiology, that will provide technical support for the isolation, identification and characterization of microbes, including human pathogens and antimicrobial resistant bacteria, present in food and environmental sources. The candidate will also be involved in research using next-generation sequencing (genomics and microbiomics) to examine microbes of interest (e.g., Campylobacter spp. Salmonella, E. coli) and microbial communities as they pertain to food safety.

Soil Microbiology position:

We are seeking a highly qualified and motivated Research Technician (EG-04) for a position in Soil Microbiology that will provide field and laboratory technical support for soil microbial ecology research projects. Under the direction of the research scientist, the successful candidate will be required to coordinate research activities and employ various methods and tools to use in field, greenhouse and laboratory experiments.

Intent of the process

The intent is to staff 1 Research Technician position in Food Microbiology and 1 Research Technician position in Soil Microbiology on a permanent basis.

A pool of qualified and partially qualified candidates may also be established and may be used for similar permanent and temporary employment needs.

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: 2

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

Education (both positions)

Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in a biological science (e.g.: Bachelor of Science Degree specializing in a field relating to microbiology, bioinformatics, foodborne disease, molecular biology, soil biology, microbial genomics, or another relevant field).

Degree equivalency

Experience (both positions)

Experience in basic microbiological and molecular biological techniques.

Experience in planning and conducting laboratory experiments with plant, soil or human microorganisms.

Experience in the isolation, identification, characterization, and storage of pathogens/microorganisms associated with food, plants or soil using traditional and molecular approaches.

Experience analyzing data from next generation sequencing.

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

ASSET - Education (both positions)

Master degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in microbiology, bioinformatics, foodborne disease, microbial ecology, molecular biology microbial genomics or in another relevant field.

Degree equivalency

ASSET Experience:

Experience working with foodborne pathogens, such as: Campylobacter spp., Salmonella spp. or E. coli spp. (Food Microbiology position)

Experience working in a Containment Level 2 laboratory (Food Microbiology position).

Experience with the use of meta-omics approaches for the analysis of soil or plant microbiomes (Soil Microbiology position).

Experience in writing reports and scientific manuscripts (both positions).

Experience supervising and mentoring junior staff (e.g., students) (both positions).

Experience with bioinformatics methods and databases, and using open-source bioinformatics software (both positions).

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge

Knowledge of foodborne pathogens and antimicrobial resistance (Food Microbiology position).

Knowledge of soil microbial ecology (Soil Microbiology position).

Knowledge of the theories, principles and techniques of microbiology and molecular biology (both positions).

Knowledge of the theories, principles and techniques of microbial genomics and bioinformatics (both positions).

Competencies (both positions)

 Adaptability
 Teamwork
 Planning and organization
 Initiative

Abilities (both positions)

Ability to plan and execute experimental protocols and compile data.

Ability to conduct basic data analysis, statistical analysis and summarize results.

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

ASSET Knowledge (both positions)

Knowledge of at least one programming language (e.g., R, Python).

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 - (both positions)

Conditions of Employment (both positions):

Possession of a valid driver’s license or willingness to obtain a driver’s license.

Ability to work in a laboratory, greenhouse, and field environments.

Ability and willingness to follow biosafety procedures and to handle plant and human pathogens/microorganisms.

Ability and willingness to travel (ie; for sample collection, record data).

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.