Research Assistant – Plant Pathology

Update: Please note that the selection process has been amended to extend the closing date to February 26th, 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

A Research Assistant is required at the Swift Current Research and Development Centre to work under the direction of the Cereal Molecular Pathologist. The program focuses on the understanding of the genetic and molecular mechanisms associated with the response of cereal crops to several diseases. The successful candidate will contribute to diverse aspects of the cereal molecular pathology program investigating plant pathogens and host resistance. The incumbent will conduct and manage experiments in plant pathology and be responsible of isolating pathogens, performing inoculations, conducting pathology tests, maintaining pathogen cultures, organizing planting materials and perform disease assessments in field plots and greenhouse. The incumbent will collect data, conduct statistical analyses and contribute to scientific reports and publications. The incumbent will perform DNA extraction and nucleic acid analyses leading to new knowledge and the development of tools such as molecular markers.

The incumbent will interact with students, postdocs and graduate students and provide leadership and training within the laboratory and field to students, casual workers and visitors.

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

A pool of 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.

A list of the courses you have taken as well as any courses that you are taking now, or that you will be taking this academic year

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 an acceptable specialization in plant science, plant pathology, plant breeding, plant physiology, horticulture, genetics, biology or a specialization related to the position; or an acceptable combination of education, training and/or 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 contributing to designing and conducting field and/or controlled environement research in plant breeding, plant pathology and/or molecular plant pathology.
- Experience working in a plant pathology lab undertaking activities such as: preparing regular and selective culture media for fungal and bacterial pathogens, and manipulating instruments associated with fine work, such as the use of a syringe, pipette and forcepts.
- Experience collecting, recording compiling and analyzing experimental data.
- Experience with statistical analysis.
- Experience managing multiple research projects which could involve: setting priorities, organizing work schedule, basic supervisory techniques, communications and/or safety protocols.
- Experience with literature search, drafting, writing or assisting in the preparation of reports, manuscripts or poster presentations.
- Experience working with multidisciplinary and multi-institutional teams.

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

EDUCATION
- Graduation with a graduate degree (masters or higher) from a recognised post-secondary institution with an acceptable specialization in plant science, plant pathology, plant breeding, biology, plant physiology, microbiology, ennvironmental science, natural resources, horticulture, soil science, genetics, biology or a specialization related to the position.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE
- Experience working with molecular biology instruments eg. thermocycler, micropipette, centrifuge.
- Experience using dissecting and optical microscope.
- Experience isolating, identifying and preserving wheat pathogens.
- Experience with development, morphology and common diseases of wheat.
- Experience using statistical software such as SAS or R.
- Experience in the application of molecular marker systems for wheat genetic analyses.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE
- Knowledge of experimental designs in agricultural research.
- Knowledge in plant pathology methodologies.
- Knowledge in molecular biology.
- Knowledge of cereal diseases.
- Knowledge of statistical methodologies

COMPETENCIES
- Adaptability
- Interactive Communication
- Planning and organizing
- Teamwork

ABILITIES
- Ability to plan and prioritize activities
- Ability to identify disease symptoms and the causal agents.
- Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
- Ability to communicate effectively orally.

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

KNOWLEDGE
- Knowledge of breeding and plant genetics.
- Knowledge in disease epidemiology.

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.
- Valid Driver’s license.
- Ability and willingness to work overtime including evening and weekends.
- Ability and willingness to travel.
- Ability and willingness to work outdoors under various weather conditions.
- Ability and willingness to work in laboratory, greenhouse, and/or field environments for extended periods at a time with appropriate safety precautions in place.
- Ablity and willingness to work with hazardous materials with appropriate safety precautions.
- 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.

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.