Research Scientist – Food Technologies – Automation and Robotics

Update: Please note that the selection process has been updated with a new closing date: 18 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

We are seeking a research scientist with expertise and experience in automation or robotics who will lead a research program which the broad goal is the elaboration of an innovative research program in automation and robotics in food systems.

The incumbent must contribute to a working environment that fosters collegiality, diversity, and teamwork. The research scientist will be part of a multidisciplinary team of science professionals at Saint-Hyacinthe Research and Development Center (RDC), which is comprised of various expertise in food processing and will be expected to collaborate with scientists at other AAFC research centres.. By mean of active collaborations, or else, the incumbent will actively engage with various commodity groups of the food industry, including universities, which could require establishment of agreements or research funding. The incumbent will participate in the transfer of scientific knowledge and technology to partners, clients and general public. The research scientist will assure supervision of the team members and could participate in supervision of graduate students.

Work environment

The incumbent will work from Saint-Hyacinthe Research and Development Center (RDC), which is located on the South shore of Montreal, in the Province of Quebec. Established in 1987, Saint-Hyacinthe’s RDC is one of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's (AAFC) network of 20 research and development centres and is located in a flourishing region in terms of food processing industries.

With the uniqueness of its pilot plans (dairy; processing and biotechnology) and its 17 research teams, work accomplished at the CRD enables researchers and Canadian businesses to collaborate and research ways to improve manufacturing in the main industry sectors. Saint-Hyacinthe also has a sensory analysis service to determine impact of innovations on flavor and texture of foods, as well as a chemical analytical service. Dedicated office and laboratory space as well as access to various installations and services will be provided in support of research activities.

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 educational institution in software engineering, automation, robotics or any other field related to the duties of the position.

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, such as authorship and editorship of published or unpublished reports, books, papers or other communications resulting from:
a) research, experimental development or tasks 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 or copyrights, or the creation of improved varieties, functions or designs and/or recognition of work and research results by specialists in the field.

Experience in conceptualizing, planning and implementing research or development projects in automation or robotics.

Experience in implementing solutions related to automation or robotics.

Experience in conceptualizing, designing, planning and completing research projects in a team environment.

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

Asset Experience Qualifications:
Experience in writing grant applications.

Experience in 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.

Post-doctoral research experience in at least one of the following fields: software engineering, automation, robotics, or application to food processing.

Experience working in a multi-disciplinary 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 tools used in automation or robotics (typical examples include the following: artificial neural networks, blockchain, radio frequency identification, etc.).

Knowledge of concepts associated with automation or robotics (typical examples include the following: Industry 4.0, artificial intelligence, visualization, etc.).

Knowledge of automation or robotics issues in the food and beverage processing sector in Canada.

Competencies:
Adaptability
Teamwork
Writing Skills
Oral Communication Skills

Abilities:
Ability to propose original research programming in food-systems-related automation or robotics.

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

Operational Needs:
Ability to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.

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 work overtime.
Ability and willingness to travel.

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.