Research Scientist – Digital Pedology

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

We wish to recruit a research scientist with expertise and experience in pedology, soil chemistry and soil fertility to lead a research program with the overall objective of improving soil health and fertility in Canadian agricultural systems, more specifically in vegetable production systems. The incumbent will adopt a holistic perspective that will allow the identification and orientation of soil conditions that sustainably establish healthy growing conditions for crops, physicochemical balance of soils and minimal fertilizer losses to the environment.
The incumbent will conduct a dynamic and innovative research program in collaboration with other researchers at the Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu RDC.This work will lead to scientific advances demonstrating the significance of mineral or organic soil degradation and ways to limit it to maintain productivity and limit conditions that favour pests.

The research scientist in digital pedology will also be central to strong interactions with the precision horticulture platform in its proximal sensing, remote sensing, spatiotemporal modeling, plant physiology and climate modeling components.The incumbent will also support the biovigilance platform and its research on microbiomes, agroecology, root diseases, entomology, weed science and plant pathology.This work will also be a key element in the application of research results for clients likely to operate in an agro-pedological context different from that in which the research was conducted. The incumbent will also be encouraged to collaborate with universities, including affiliation and supervision of graduate students. This position will promote optimal integration of research conducted within AAFC and will ultimately lead to improved conditions for transfer and adoption for all collaborations under the position.

Work environment

The Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Research and Development Centre (RDC) is one of 20 research centres that make up AAFC’s national research network. It is located in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec.

The Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu RDC helps the Canadian horticultural sector to stay competitive and sustainable by developing new knowledge and technologies in the field of horticultural crop protection, while taking a biovigilance and precision agriculture approach.

The Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu RDC is associated with three satellite stations: the L’Acadie experimental farm, the Sainte-Clotilde experimental farm and the Frelighsburg experimental site.

Intent of the process

The intent of this process is to staff an indeterminate full-time position.

A pool of qualified candidates may be created and could be used to staff similar positions with various tenures (indeterminate, specified period employment, acting, deployment, assignment or secondment) within AAFC.

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)

Education:
An acceptable doctorate from a recognized post-secondary institution in soil science, agronomy, soil chemistry, soil fertility, soil physics, environmental science, or another specialization in a related discipline.

Important Note: If you were educated outside of Canada, you must have your certificates and/or diplomas assessed against Canadian education standards. Click on the link below to contact the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC).

Degree equivalency

Experience:
Recognized achievement in the form of authorship or editorship of published or unpublished reports, books, papers, or other communications resulting from:
a) Research, experimental development, or tasking associated with operational equipment and problems; OR
b) Operational research and scientific analysis; OR
c) Planning, analysis and evaluation of Canadian and foreign programs in research and development; OR
d) Developmental work leading to the issue of patents, copyrights, or the creation of improved varieties, functions, or designs, and/or recognition by the professional community of the research environment.

Expertise* in soil science, agronomy, soil chemistry, soil fertility, soil physics, environmental science, or another specialization in a related discipline;

*Expertise refers to experience and skill in using the approaches, tools, and/or technologies within a scientific context.

Experience in designing and conducting scientific research in soil science, pedology, agronomy, soil fertility, soil physics or soil chemistry;

Experience in using advanced statistical methods to study processes in soil science, pedology, agronomy, soil fertility, soil physics or soil chemistry at scales ranging from soil profiles to agricultural landscapes;

Experience in documented scientific productivity or recognition in the form of publication of research results in the fields of soil science, pedology, agronomy, soil fertility, soil physics or soil chemistry in recognized journals, published reports, books or articles, or other communications resulting from scientific research.

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

Experience:
Experience writing research grant applications.
Experience working in a multidisciplinary team.
Experience managing multi-year projects with associated human resource, budgetary, and planning functions.
Experience interacting with industry and other stakeholders to garner support and research direction.
Experience leading a team.

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

Bilingual - Imperative (BBB/BBB)

Information on language requirements

Knowledge:
Knowledge of soil chemistry and physics and their underlying factors.
Knowledge of agricultural production systems in eastern Canada and practices that promote soil fertility, soil health, crop productivity and agroecosystem preservation.
Knowledge of soil degradation processes and their causes and of innovative practices to preserve and improve agricultural soils.

Competencies:
Initiative.
Adaptability.
Interactive Communication.
Teamwork.
Written Communication.

Abilities:
Ability to manage a team and financial resources.
Ability to present research results to a variety of audiences.

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

Knowledge:
Knowledge of pedology and the Canadian System of Soil Classification.
Knowledge of precision agriculture and its analytical tools, including geostatistics and geographic information systems (GIS).

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

Possession of a valid driver’s licence or personal mobility to the degree normally associated with a driver’s licence.
Ability and willingness to travel.
Ability and willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.

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 first and then to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, 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.