Research Scientist – Genomics (Tree Fruit)

Update: Please note that the selection process has been amended to extend the closing date to 17 August, 2021 - 23:59, Pacific Time.

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 be a leader in the areas of new and emerging genomic technologies working with primarily tree fruits and grapes. Working at the Summerland Research and Development Centre the scientist will be expected to develop genomic or “multi-omic” approaches to accelerate germplasm development, identify desirable novel traits (e.g. traits of commercial importance; abiotic and biotic stress tolerance) to be taken up by breeding and other research programs, and address other concerns associated with these horticultural crops.

The incumbent will have access to state-of-the-art laboratories and research field sites. They will have the opportunity to collaborate with apple and cherry breeders and other researchers at the centre, as well as stakeholders nationally and internationally in academia and industry. Research Scientists have access to competitive core and external funding opportunities, and are supported by technical and administrative staff. Research Scientists are encouraged to seek university affiliation and co-supervise graduate students

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)

Education:
Graduation with an acceptable doctoral degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in a field of science with a specialization related to the duties of the position, such as, but not limited to: genomics; genetics; plant science; biochemistry; molecular biology; plant physiology; or other specialization in a field relevant to the duties of the position.

Applications will be accepted from candidates enrolled in their final year, but who have not yet completed a Ph.D. program. Completion of the Ph.D. thesis must occur before the date of appointment by October 2021.

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:
Recognized achievement in the form of authorship and editorship of published or unpublished reports, books, papers, peer-reviewed scientific journals, 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.

Recent experience (acquired in approximately the last five (5) years) in the design, conduct and analyses of scientific research in the area of plant genomics.

Experience designing and conducting research experiments in the application of genomics to solve interdisciplinary agricultural problems.

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

Experience:
Experience in research with perennial plant species.
Recent experience (acquired in approximately the last five (5) years) in the design and conduct of scientific research in plant genomics in the area of plant or crop physiology, developmental biology, plant biochemistry or plant molecular biology or other relevant disciplines.
Experience in genetic marker development for specific traits (e.g. traits of commercial importance; fruit quality, abiotic and biotic stress tolerance).
Experience with genome editing tools and plant tissue culture.
Experience in research in the area of genetic fingerprinting of plants and variety identification.
Experience writing successful research grant applications as a PI or Co-PI.
Experience interacting with internal and external sector stakeholders.
Experience managing multi-year projects with associated human resource, budgetary, and planning functions.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge:
Knowledge of application of genomics across disciplines, such as plant breeding, plant-pathogen interaction, plant physiology or plant biochemistry.
Knowledge of bioinformatics for analyzing data sets.

Competencies:
Initiative
Team Work
Adaptability
Written Communication
Planning and Organizing

Abilities:
Ability to communicate complex scientific subject matter.

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

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 license or personal mobility to the extent normally associated with the possession of a valid driver’s license.
Ability and willingness to travel.
Ability and willingness to work flexible hours including evenings, holidays and weekends.
Ability and willingness to control allergies, through the use of personal protective equipment and/or medication without impinging on 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 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.