Bioinformatician

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

Based at either AAFC’s Saskatoon Research and Development Centre, in Saskatoon, or Swift Current Research and Development Centre, Saskatchewan, the successful candidates will be required to be familiar with commonly used bioinformatics software such as BLAST, PHRAP/CAP3, HMMER and others in order to use them and incorporate them into data pipelines or databases. Extensive programming in but not exclusive to Java, R, Perl/Python, experience with SAS plus some web-development and relational database administration skills will be required for these tasks. Sequence analysis and assembly of next-generation sequence data (Roche, Illumina) will be needed to assemble whole and partial genomic sequences. Expression data would be used for annotation, single nucleotide polymorphism discovery or single feature polymorphism validation. The incumbent will work with other researchers providing experimental design analysis solutions for a variety of field and laboratory experiments such as BLUPs and BLUEs. They will lead or contribute to research involving image analysis with artificial intelligence and machine learning applications. The incumbent is expected to perform some software and algorithm development to tailor specific analysis when such software or algorithms are not available. This may include de novo development or modification of existing scripts. The incumbent will use and develop bioinformatics tools and perform analyses of data to apply and develop knowledge of molecular biology and genetics. The incumbent will be required to carry out scientific research activities and make available findings through presentation or publication in collaboration with other scientists.

Work environment

The Saskatoon (SRDC) and Swift Current (SCRDC) Research and Development Centres are two of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's network of 19 research centres. The Centres, located in the heart of the Prairie Region, conduct research on Prairie crops to support the agri-food industry in western Canada. In addition, Saskatoon is a major location for research and development in agricultural biotechnology. The SRDC is also home to the Plant Gene Resources of Canada (https://pgrc.agr.gc.ca/index_e.html) and the Canadian Animal Genetic Resources Program, which have national mandates to protect and conserve Canada's national germplasm collections. SCRDC has extensive wheat and forage research and breeding programs along with environmental and agronomy research.

Intent of the process

The intent of the process is to hire two indeterminate Bioinformaticians located in Saskatoon and in Swift Current.

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: 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
- Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in biological science, bioinformatics or another specialization relevant 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
- Experience developing bioinformatics tools.
- Experience programming commonly used bioinformatics applications.
- Experience with experimental design and statistical analysis.

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

EDUCATION
- Graduation with a Master’s degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in computer science, biology, biochemistry or another specialization relevant to the duties of the position.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE
- Experience in crop genetics research.
- Experience in server administration.
- Experience writing peer reviewed publications and/or grant applications.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE
- Knowledge of theories, principles, and practices of omics and bioinformatics, or image analysis.
- Knowledge of the scientific method and logical and deductive reasoning required to plan and conduct analysis in the field of bioinformatics.
- Knowledge of Linux/Unix operating systems.

COMPETENCIES
- Adaptability
- Initiative
- Teamwork
- Creativity

ABILITIES
- Ability to provide advice on experimental design and to analyze data.
- Ability to communicate effectively orally.
- Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

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

KNOWLEDGE
- Knowledge of genomic selection.
- Knowledge of crop biology.

ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS
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

- Security: Reliability Status.
- Ability and willingness to travel to international/domestic conferences.
- Ability and willingness to acquire training.
- Ability and willingness to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends.
- Ability and willingness to work in laboratory or office for extended periods at a time.
- Possession of a valid driver’s license or personal mobility to the extent normally associated with the possession of a valid driver’s license.

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.