Research Assistant – Multi-Functional Microscopy Technician

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 will report thru a research scientist to accomplish tasks such as:
- Fixing, staining and mounting samples onto glass slides or epoxy resin blocks;
- Sectioning samples using hand-sectioning and rotary microtomes;
- Mounting sectioned samples onto electron microscopy grids;
- Imaging samples using light, confocal and electron microscopes;
- Carry out preliminary image analysis of micrographs using analytical software;
- Carry out routine maintenance of equipment and lab space.

The successful candidate will also be responsible for organizing and contributing completed data and analyses to reports and research papers. The candidate will work with several research teams in Summerland on a wide variety of plant and insect species. Thus, the candidate is expected to interact effectively with research scientists, staff, students and casual labor.

Intent of the process

Need: we have 1 full-time permanent position to staff.

If you don’t immediately receive a job offer at AAFC, qualified candidates will also be placed in a talent pool to be used for staffing similar permanent or temporary positions in the future.

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)

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.

Education:
B.Sc. degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in a field related to the position (e.g. cell biology, molecular biology, plant biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, microbiology) or an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

Degree equivalency

Experience:
• Experience in laboratory biology- or chemistry-related research.

• Experience planning and conducting laboratory experiments and contributing to experimental design.

• Experience working with light microscopes (compound and stereo).

Knowledge:
• Knowledge of microscopy-related laboratory methodologies, tools, practices and applications.
• Knowledge of fundamentals of light microscopy and image analysis.

Competencies:
• Concern for Safety
• Planning and Organizing
• Teamwork
• Problem Solving
• Initiative

Abilities:
• Ability to use scientific instruments in a molecular or cellular biology or biochemistry laboratory.
• Ability to make observations, record data and perform calculations accurately.
• Ability to contribute to the preparation of research reports or posters such as preparing figures.

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

Asset qualification - Education:
M.Sc. degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in one of the following fields: cell biology, molecular biology, cellular physiology, plant biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, microbiology or a related field of study.

Degree equivalency

Asset qualifications - Experience:
• Experience preparing and imaging samples using fluorescence, confocal and electron microscopes.

• Experience working with digital cameras (SLR and mirrorless).

• Experience working with image analysis and editing software (ImageJ, Photoshop, Illustrator, etc.).

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

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

Asset qualifications - Knowledge:
• Knowledge of fundamentals of fluorescence, confocal and electron microscopy.
• Knowledge of methodologies in sample preparation for light and electron microscopy.

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

Organizational needs:
• Placement of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) employees affected by Work Force Adjustment.

• 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, women.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Additional conditions of employment:
• Possession of a valid driver’s license or personal mobility to the extent normally associated with the •Possession of a valid driver’s license.
• Ability and willingness to work flexible hours.
• Ability and willingness to work overtime.
• Ability and willingness to travel.
• Ability and willingness to control allergies, through the use of personal protective equipment and/or medication and this must not impinge upon the duties to be performed.
• Ability and willingness to work in a laboratory, greenhouse, and field environments, with appropriate safety precautions in place.
• Ability and willingness to work with chemicals and compressed gases.

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.