Research Biologist – Ruminant systems 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 to conduct research that will examine the interactions between ruminant animals, the gut microbiome, and animal health using a multi-omics approach. The successful candidate with investigate genomic linkages in cattle that are susceptible to liver abscess formation and the examine the linkages between liver abscess formation and the gut and respiratory tract microbiome using a multi-omics approach. The successful candidate will work within a multidisciplinary research team to generate novel findings and scientific manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals.

Intent of the process

Immediate need: 1 full-time temporary position (from January 2022 to December 2025 - sunset funding).

A pool of qualified candidates may be established and may be used for similar permanent and temporary employment.

In the event that an employee of the public service is qualified through this process, he/she may be considered for acting, deployment, assignment or secondment opportunities.

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)

Graduation with a MSc from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in microbiology, animal science, bioinformatics, or a field relevant to the duties of the position.

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 providing technical support and leading projects in the area of ruminant livestock research.
Experience working with microorganisms associated with beef cattle using metagenomic and metatranscriptomic approaches.
Experience analyzing gene expression data from cattle.
Experience using Linux/Unix.
Experience writing reports and scientific papers.

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

Graduation with a PhD from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in microbiology, animal science, bioinformatics, or a field relevant to the duties of the position.

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 with coding languages (Python, ”R”, Perl, or equivalent) commonly used for bioinformatic analyses or data science.

Documented scientific productivity in the form of authorship of research results in recognized scientific journals.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of beef cattle microbiology.
Knowledge of bioinformatics tools and statistical analysis used in meta-omic studies.
Knowledge of animal science.

Teamwork
Planning and Organizing
Concern for Safety
Adaptability
Interactive Communication

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

Ability and willingness to work flexible hours.
Ability and willingness to work overtime, including evenings and weekends.
Ability and willingness to work with cattle.
Ability and willingness to control known allergies, through the use of personal protective equipment and/or medication, such that duties to be performed are not impinged upon.

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

ASSESSMENT 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.