Research Technician - Molecular 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

As part of an experienced team, the successful candidate will assist with research related to assessing environmental abiotic and biotic impact in horticultural crops. Duties include conducting molecular and microbial studies on plants with an emphasis on host-microbe/environment interactions, RNA silencing, protein chemistry, biocontrol, and innate immunity. The candidate will apply sequencing, cloning, bioinformatics, immunology, gene editing, and plant microbe transformations related to crop production. Other duties will include training, lab maintenance, and coordinating activities with staff/collaborators.

Intent of the process

Immediate need: 1 full-time permanent position.

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

In the event that an employee of the public service is qualified through this process, he/she may be considered for acting, deployment, assignment or secondment opportunities.

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)

Graduation with a Bachelor’s degree from a recognized postsecondary institution in molecular biology, microbiology, or in a field relevant to the duties of the position. An acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience in relevant fields may also be considered.

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 in basic molecular biology and microbiology in relevant agricultural or life sciences.
Experience in planning and conducting laboratory, greenhouse, and/or field experiments.
Experience in isolation, identification, characterization, and storage of pathogens/microorganisms associated with diseases and agricultural or life sciences using traditional and molecular approaches.

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

Master’s degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in molecular biology, microbiology, pathology, plant biology or in a field related to the duties of the position.

Degree equivalency

Experience in transcriptome analysis and bioinformatics.
Experience in inoculating microbes (fungi/bacteria/virus) and disease screening.
Experience in troubleshooting of laboratory instruments required for microbial and molecular assays.
Experience in statistical analysis.
Experience in managing a laboratory including purchasing equipment and supplies.
Experience in mentoring students.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of molecular biology, microbiology, and disease management.
Knowledge of related microbial and molecular laboratory methodologies, tools, principles, and practices.

Initiative
Problem Solving
Teamwork
Planning and Organizing

Ability to plan and execute experimental protocols and keep accurate and detailed experimental records.

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

Knowledge in molecular techniques and host-microbe interactions.
Knowledge of production practices used in field and/or horticultural crops.
Knowledge of safe work practices in laboratory, greenhouse or fields.

Ability to create draft reports and contributing to the preparation of research communication, publications in peer-reviewed journals and/or posters.
Ability to compile data, conduct basic data analysis and summarize results as outlined in an experimental protocol.

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

Ability to work in a laboratory, greenhouse, and field environments for extended periods.
Ability to work with laboratory safety and handle microorganisms/pathogens and hazardous chemicals.
Have completed or ability to take workplace hazardous materials information system (WHMIS) training and updates.
Ability and willingness to travel (i.e. for sample collection, record data).
Ability and willingness to perform physical labor including lifting up to 25 kg.
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.
Ability and willingness to work flexible hours when required.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Possession of a valid driver’s license or the 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

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.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.