Research Assistant (Molecular Plant Pathology)

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

Contributes to the development of knowledge and new technologies in molecular plant pathology aimed at understanding plant fungus and bacterial diversity and evolution, plant-microbe interactions, mechanisms of plant defense responses and the function of pathogen virulence factors.

Contributes to the development and analyses of genomics resources of microbial pathogens and their hosts.

Contributes to the development of novel methods for improved disease management strategies.

Contributes to the development of bioassays, analytical techniques and laboratory standard operating procedures for research activities, including proper biosafety practices for the study of pathogens.

Contributes to data analysis and to the production of presentations, reports and publications.

Provides technical advice and training within or outside the organization.

Carries out research activities under laboratory or greenhouse conditions.

Maintains a molecular biology laboratory by ordering supplies and materials, maintaining and calibrating equipment, maintaining fungal and bacterial isolate collections, plant care and managing laboratory budgets.

Intent of the process

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)

Bachelor of Science degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in one of the following fields: Biochemistry, Microbiology, Virology, (Plant) Biology, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology or a related program.

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

Minimum of two years experience in planning and conducting laboratory experiments, providing technical support, and contributing to experimental design. NOTE: This does not include experience acquired while doing course work in order to meet educational requirements

Experience working with microbial pathogens, using proper safety practices, including the use of laminar flow and containment cabinets.

Experience using molecular biology principles and techniques (such as DNA and RNA purification, gene cloning, PCR, gene expression analyses, and DNA sequencing techniques including “Next-Generation Sequencing” platforms for genome sequencing and transcriptome analyses)

Experience using protein biology or enzymology principles and techniques (such as protein isolation and purification, production of recombinant proteins in expression systems, immunoprecipitation, analyses on gels including using immunoblotting, yeast-2-hybrid analyses)

Experience with bioinformatic (non-commercial) packages and tools such as for Linux based systems, to perform extensive DNA, RNA and protein analyses, such as large-scale gene and genome sequence assembly, annotation, alignments and comparisons, transcriptome mapping, analyses and comparisons of protein structures, database generation and searches, generation of phylogenies based on polymorphisms in DNA or genomes (SNP-based) or protein sequences (amino acid-based), etc.

Experience in general microscopy, confocal microscopy or electron microscopy

Experience mentoring and training interns, students or colleagues in a research environment

Experience managing budgets, and ordering supplies

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

Master’s in Science degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in one of the following fields: Biochemistry, Microbiology, Plant Pathology, Biology, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology or a related program

Degree equivalency

Experience with plant-pathogenic microbes (fungi, bacteria, virus) and the study of their interaction with their host plants

Experience with principles and techniques in molecular plant biology such as purification of nucleic acids from plant tissues, preparation of plant protoplasts and nucleic acid transfections and cell transformation, agroinfiltration, maintenance and growth of plants

Experience with complex gene cloning including in frame fusions with reporter proteins and epitope tags using a variety of techniques such as Gateway recombineering and Gblocks overlap PCR

Experience with fungal genetics and genetic transformation techniques

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of Next Generation genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics technologies
Knowledge of non-commercial bioinformatic pipelines for genome analyses
Knowledge of laboratory safety procedures and directives

Planning and organizing
Teamwork
Problem Solving
Adaptability
Initiative

Ability to apply and to adapt scientific techniques and methodologies
Ability to make observations, collect and record data accurately, performing analysis on samples, interpret and analyze results
Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing
Ability to create draft reports and contribute to the preparation of research reports or posters

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

Knowledge of current concepts, theories and principles of plant pathology and host-pathogen interaction

Knowledge of latest laboratory methodologies and tools used in research related to plant pathology and host-pathogen interaction

Agriculture and Agri-food Canada recognizes that the diversity of its employee population contributes to its strength and integrity. We are committed to achieving employment equity and developing a highly capable workforce that is representative of Canadian Society. We encourage women (especially in non-traditional occupations), Indigenous peoples (Aboriginal peoples), persons with disabilities, and members of visible minority groups to apply and declare themselves as part of one or more of the Employment Equity groups as selection may be limited to candidates belonging to one or more of the groups.

Information on employment equity

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Valid Driver’s licence
Ability and willingness to conduct laboratory and greenhouse work
Ability and willingness to do repetitive tasks including the use of fine motor skills for extended periods
With appropriate safety precautions in place and proper training, ability and willingness to work with (sometimes hazardous) chemicals and biological agents
Ability and willingness to work flexible hours when required
Ability and willingness to travel.

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.

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.