Research Scientist – Biovigilance Modeling

Update: Please note that the selection process has been amended to extend the closing date to 30 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 to lead a research program with the overall objective of better predicting and quantifying pest impacts and dynamics at different temporal and spatial scales. The incumbent will take a systems perspective and conduct studies using and developing models, focusing on biovigilance and abiotic components, as well as crop quality and productivity. The incumbent will consider the long-term benefits of proposed management practices. In collaboration with other researchers at the Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Research and Development Centre, the incumbent will develop strategies to promote the economic viability of the agricultural sector and reduce the impact of pest management practices on human and environmental health.

The selected person will contribute to a work environment that fosters collegiality, diversity and teamwork. He/she will actively engage with agricultural industry producer groups and participate in the transfer of scientific knowledge and technology to partners and clients. The Research Scientist will be part of a multidisciplinary team of science professionals at the St-Jean-sur-Richelieu Research and Development Centre, which includes expertise in plant pathology, entomology, nematology, weed science, microbiome, artificial intelligence and precision agriculture, and will be expected to collaborate with scientists from other AAFC research centers. The position will be expected to actively collaborate with industry stakeholders and will be strongly encouraged to collaborate with universities, including affiliations and participation in graduate student mentoring.

Work environment

The Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Research and Development Centre is one of 20 research centers that make up AAFC's national research network. It is located in Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu (QC).

The Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu RDC helps maintain the competitiveness and sustainability of the Canadian horticultural sector by acquiring new knowledge and developing new technologies in the field of horticultural crop protection while adopting an approach focused on biovigilance and precision agriculture.

The Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu Research and Development Centre 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 mathematical modeling, systems modeling, agroecology, or 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 achievements, such as being the author or editor of published or unpublished reports, books, papers, or other communications that are derived from:
(a) research, experimental development, or tasks related to operational problems and materials; OR
b) operations research and scientific analysis; OR
c) planning, analysis and evaluation of Canadian and foreign research and development programs; OR
d) development work that results in patents, copyrights, or the creation of improved species, functions, or models, and/or the recognition of work and research results by experts in the field.

Expertise* in modelling, bioclimatology, ecology, landscape ecology, agronomy, mathematics, or a related discipline.

*Expertise refers to experience and competence in the use of approaches, tools and/or technologies in a scientific context.

Experience in the design and implementation of scientific research in mathematical modeling, bioclimatology, ecology, landscape ecology, agronomy, mathematics, or related discipline.

Experience in scientific productivity or documented scientific recognition in the form of publication of research results on agricultural ecosystem modeling, climate change impact modeling, modeling of distribution, dispersal and adaptation of different types of pests (insects, weeds, pathogens) (spatially explicit models), modeling applied to crop protection, bioclimatic modeling, or in another related discipline, in recognized journals and/or reports, books or published articles, or other communication materials from scientific research.

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

Research experience in modeling factors that influence interactions between crop pests and their natural enemies.
Experience in the use of bioclimatic models in variable climate and climate change settings.
Experience in agricultural landscape ecology and modeling.
Experience with spatio-temporal pest modeling (spatially explicit models).
Experience writing research grants.
Experience working in a multidisciplinary team.
Experience leading and managing multi-year projects involving human resources, budget, and planning functions.
Experience interacting with industry and other stakeholders to obtain support and research direction.
Postdoctoral fellowship in mathematical modeling.

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 the structure of agricultural ecosystems and the main pests present in important horticultural crops in the eastern provinces of Canada (Ontario, Québec and the Maritimes).

Knowledge of the principles and methods used to build mathematical models in agroecology and bioclimatology and how to apply them to plant protection research (biovigilance) in a context of variable climate and climate change.

Knowledge of the factors that influence the development of pests and their natural enemies including spatial structures and their interactions in the agricultural ecosystem and at the landscape scale.

Competencies:
Initiative
Adaptability
Interactive communication
Teamwork
Writing skills

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

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.
Able and willing to travel.
Able and willing 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.