Research Biologist - Wheat Physiology

Update: Please note that the selection process has been amended to extend the closing date to February 8th, 2021 - 23:59, Pacific Time.

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 work with the research scientist to plan and conduct lab, greenhouse and field research in wheat physiology, grain filling, grain maturity, and nitrogen-carbon partitioning, and conduct genetic analysis of these traits for application in wheat breeding. The successful candidate will also contribute to writing scientific manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals, and drafting project reports and presentations as appropriate. In addition, the position will involve managing the day-to-day operation of the research laboratory in conjunction with the research scientist, including ordering equipment and consumables, and training and supervision of students and other junior staff.

Work environment

The Swift Current Research and Development Centre was established in 1920 in Swift Current, Saskatchewan, in the semi-arid prairie region, which encompasses 20 per cent of the arable land in Canada (the Brown soil zone). Research done at the Swift Current Research and Development Centre extends across the Dark Brown and Thin Black soil zones via the associated research site at Indian Head, Saskatchewan.

The Centre was founded originally to support the expanding settlements in the semi-arid region through research in areas such as severe drought, erosion, frost, pests, and crop disease related problems. Today, the centre is noted for world-class wheat and durum breeding, advancing research in forages and cattle nutrition, and improving agricultural sustainability through cropping practices and disease control. Today, as in the past, the Swift Current Research and Development Centre works closely with producers from across the prairies to provide research results to support the needs of farmers.

Intent of the process

The intent of this process is to staff one full time term (temporary) position from May 1, 2021 to May 1, 2024 through the Sunset Funded Clause.

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: 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 specialization in one of the following fields: Plant Science, Plant Physiology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or any other field relevant to 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
- Experience conducting plant physiology research in a greenhouse, lab or field environment.
- Experience in genetic analysis of plant traits.
- Experience working with statistical packages for data analysis and interpretation.
- Experience in the preparation of scientific papers, technical documents or reports.

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

EDUCATION
- Graduation with an acceptable Master’s or Ph.D. degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in one of the following fields: Plant Science; Plant Physiology; Plant Molecular Biology; Biochemistry or any other field relevant to the position.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE
- Experience in phenomics for plant breeding.
- Experience with linkage analysis, QTL mapping, association mapping or genomic selection.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE
- Knowledge of basic plant physiology techniques.
- Knowledge of molecular genetics in plant breeding.
- Knowledge of statistical methods used in life sciences.

COMPETENCIES
- Adaptability
- Initiative
- Interactive Communication
- Teamwork

ABILITIES
- Ability to design scientific experiments.
- Ability to use scientific instruments.

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

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

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: Aboriginal peoples, Persons with a Disability, Visible Minorities, and Women.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Valid driver’s license.
Ability and willingness to work overtime/ flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.
Ability and willingness to control allergies, through the use of personal protective equipment and medication without impinging on the duties to be performed.
Ability and willingness to travel regionally, nationally and internationally as required for field studies, liaison with industry and academia, and attendance at scientific or technical meetings.
Ability and willingness to work under challenging conditions (e.g., temperature extremes in the field).

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.