Research Biologist – Plant Biology

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 are seeking a research biologist with experience in digital plant phenotyping to work at the Saskatoon Research and Development Centre. The successful candidate will work closely with crops scientists on projects that require digital phenotyping in field trials by using both ground and aerial imaging and sensor platforms. This includes acquisition and management of data as well as the development and implementation of software pipelines for data retrieval and analysis.

Intent of the process

Immediate Need: 1 full time Indeterminate position.

A pool of 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 from a recognized post-secondary institution with a degree in agriculture, natural science, engineering, geography, remote sensing or computer 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
- Experience conducting research in field-based digital plant phenotyping in an agricultural crop.
- Experience working with at least two programming languages applicable to plant phenomics (eg. Python/scikit, Tensorflow, R, OpenCV, Matlab, others).
- Experience managing large databases and using advanced image analysis software in plant phenomics.
- Experience applying pipeline(s) and software for analysis of digital phenotype data.

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

EDUCATION
- Graduation from a recognized post-secondary institution with a Masters in Science with a specialization in Plant Science, Agronomy, Soil Science, Environmental Science, Natural Resources, or a specialization related to the position.

Degree equivalency

- A Pilot Certificate, Basic Operators, from Transport Canada for the operation of Small Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS), Visual line-of-sight (VLOS).
- A Pilot Certificate, Advanced Operators, from Transport Canada for the operation of Small Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS), Visual line-of-sight (VLOS).
- Documented scientific productivity/recognition in the form of authorship/editorship of research results in recognized scientific journals, and published reports, books, papers, or other communications resulting from scientific research.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE
- Knowledge of Canadian agricultural systems and crop science.
- Knowledge of sensors used in plant phenotyping.
- Knowledge of ground-based, unmanned aerial vehicles, airborne and satellite remote sensing platforms used in plant phenotyping.
- Knowledge of data management and digital phenotyping image analysis.

COMPETENCIES
- Initiative
- Interactive Communication
- Teamwork
- Leadership

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

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.
- Possession of a valid driver’s license.
- Ability and willingness to travel.
- Ability and willingness to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends.
- Ability and willingness to work in various environmental and weather conditions.
- Ability and willingness to work in field environments for extended periods at a time.
- Known or developed 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.

Reference checks may be sought.

All communication relating to this process, including email correspondence may be used in the assessment of qualifications.

A random and/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.

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.jobs.gc.ca.

Persons with disabilities preventing them from applying on-line are asked to contact 1-800-645-5605.

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).

All communication relating to this process, including email correspondence, may be used in the assessment of qualifications.

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.