Analytical Chemist – Chromatography Specialist

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 for this position should provide expertise in the area of analytical chemistry to several research projects addressing the two research themes of GRDC, i.e. addressing food safety threats and mitigation strategies and improving attributes of agricultural commodities through innovation. Specifically, the successful candidate will assist in the identification of compounds/molecules based on mass characteristics using high-tech analytical technologies.

Work environment

Located in Guelph, Ontario, the Centre specializes in food safety, quality and nutrition, and is committed to ensuring that food produced in Canada continues to be among the safest and of the highest quality in the world.

The Guelph Research and Development Centre was established in 1997, with the intent to put in place a federal capacity in food research at the heart of the largest Canadian concentration of expertise and infrastructures dedicated to food research and development. The Guelph Research and Development Centre supports a sustainable and profitable agri-food sector in Canada by carrying out world class research in food safety and quality, proactively mitigating food safety threats as well as generating fundamental and applied knowledge that enable the Canadian agri-food sector to develop health promoting food that respond to consumer needs, whereby generating added value throughout the food chain.

Research covers all aspects of food production, from the field to the fork. In addition to its focus on food quality and safety, much of the centre's work is exploring the potential for conventional foods to offer nutritional and other therapeutic benefits. Scientists are also developing innovative methods to reduce food-borne biological and chemical hazards that may be present in farm commodities, fresh market and processed foods.

The research focus at Guelph RDC falls under two main areas that recognize the overarching influence of environmental change on food safety and health attributes of foods.

Research Areas:
•Addressing food safety threats and mitigation strategies
•Improving attributes of agricultural commodities through innovation

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)

Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in chemistry, natural, physical or applied science with specialization in a field 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 (minimum 3 year) in operating, maintaining and trouble-shooting of analytical equipment including various chromatographic instruments such as HPLC, UHPLC and GC, GC-MS.
Experience in managing activities of a chemistry laboratory, including supervision and training of students and staff.
Experience in analysis and characterization of known and unknown phytochemicals and other food bioactives and metabolites.
Experience in the preparation of reports, in data collection and in data analysis.

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

Graduation with a Master or a PhD degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in chemistry, physical or applied science with specialization in a field relevant to the duties of the position.

Degree equivalency

Experience in analysis of food components and/or metabolites/degradation products.
Experience working on a multi-disciplinary science team.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of the theories, principles and practices of general analytical chemistry and related laboratory protocols, quality assurance and control measures.
Knowledge of the theories, principles and practices of chromatographic separation and detection methods.
Knowledge in structural elucidation of compounds from mass spectrometry data.
Knowledge in statistical analysis of data.

Adaptability
Interactive Communication
Teamwork
Initiative
Problem solving

Ability to apply and validate analytical methods and/or procedures for the analysis of food bioactives and/or their metabolites/degradation products in food matrices and biological samples.
Ability to collect and analyze scientific data and write reports.
Ability to prioritize and organize laboratory work and meet prescribed timeframes.

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

Knowledge of computer software, platforms and databases used in metabolomics and proteomics.

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

Placement of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) employees affected by workforce adjustment

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Ability and willingness to travel.
Ability and willingness to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends.
Ability and willingness to work in laboratory and/or field environments for extended periods of time.
With safety precautions in place, ability and willingness to work with hazardous materials.
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.