Research Assistant – 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

- Perform seed threshing, cleaning, packaging, and shipping operations.
- Perform seeding operations in controlled (greenhouses/growth cabinets) and field conditions (rows and yield plots).
- Collect agronomic and disease data from yield plots and inoculated nurseries.
- Perform harvest operations in controlled (greenhouses/growth cabinets) and field conditions (rows and yield plots).
- Prepare samples for detailed quality testing (making composites, Near Infra-Red protein estimations).
- Sample collection (seed and leaf tissue) for nucleic acid extraction and extract nucleic acids.
- Perform marker assisted selection after marker evaluation on nucleic acid samples.
- Coordinate sample and information flow between AAFC collaborators in consultation with project leads.
- Participate in analyzing data and preparing reports.
- Participate in various committees at the place of employment.

Work environment

The Brandon Research and Development Centre is a centre of expertise for land resource management in western Canada. A multi-disciplinary team of scientists has been assembled to develop sustainable crop and livestock production systems for the Parkland, a vast agro-ecological region of the Canadian Prairies. This research team advances scientific knowledge and delivers innovative technologies in the areas of: agricultural management systems and land resource conservation for the Black and Dark Gray soil zones; agro-ecological processes and environmental sustainability; varietal development of barley; beef production systems; and management.

Intent of the process

A pool of partially qualified and 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:
- Secondary school diploma OR an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

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 growing various plant species in the field and/or growth chamber and/or greenhouse
- Experience working with fungal plant pathogens or other microorganisms
- Experience with experimental design and statistical data analysis
- Experience with crossing of cereal plants

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

EDUCATION:
- Bachelor degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with acceptable specialization in plant science, biology, agriculture, microbiology, plant pathology, environmental science.

Degree equivalency

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE:
- Knowledge of the theory and practice of cereal breeding.
- Knowledge of agronomic practices used in cereal production.
- Knowledge of major cereal pests.
- Knowledge of wheat genetics for yield improvement.
- Knowledge of molecular tools for improving breeding efficiency.

COMPETENCIES:
- Initiative
- Teamwork
- Interactive communication
- Concern for safety

ABILITIES:
- Ability to use scientific instruments and tools for implementation of scientific techniques and methodologies.
- Ability to make observations, collect, and record data accurately and interpret or analyze results.
- Ability to summarize results in writing, in tables, or in graphs to contribute to the preparation of draft reports, posters, or presentations.

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

ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS
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: Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities; visible minorities, women.

Placement of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) employees affected by work force adjustment.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

- Possession of a valid driver’s license.
- Ability and willingness to work overtime including evenings and weekends.
- Ability and willingness to travel.
- Ability and willingness to work with chemicals, and pesticides.
- Ability and willingness to work in hot or cold environment.
- Ability and willingness to work with high levels of dust.
- Ability and willingness to sit for long periods at a lab bench making observations using a microscope or other devices.
- Ability and willingness to work with various crop species, crop wild relatives or native Canadian plant species.
- With appropriate safety precautions in place, ability and and willingness to work in laboratory, greenhouse and/or field environments for extended periods at a time; ability and willingness to work outdoors under various weather conditions and under normal safety precautions; ability and willigness to work with hazardous materials.
- Ability to perform physically demanding work activities, including moderate to heavy manual work such as lifting objectives up to 25 kg.
- Known allergies must be controlled through the use of personal protective equipment and/or medication and must not impinge upon the duties to be performed.
- Ability and willingness to work with computers, scanners and other electronic devices in laboratory, greenhouse and field facility environments for extended periods at a time.

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.