Research Technician, Food Science

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

Statement of Work: Research technician position in Science and Technology Branch, Morden Research and Development Centre, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada. The incumbent will work in mycotoxin research laboratory supporting research activities under the direction of research scientist. He/she will obtain samples (cereal grain, plant/crop residues, soil residues, etc.) and process and analyze samples. The Research technician will also support laboratory activities related to research on the development of more rapid techniques for screening mycotoxins in cereal grains and pulses and on activities related to research on threats to food safety and security because of mycotoxins. The incumbent will support multidisciplinary work conducted in mycotoxin research program, communicate and consult with collaborators, write technical reports, and contribute to the preparation of scientific publications and presentations. He/she will provide technical training to students, post-doctoral fellows, and other staff. In addition, she/he will also conduct other tasks as identified by the supervisor including activities related to procuring laboratory supplies and equipment. Some other duties include (but not limited to):
To operate and maintain an immunochemistry and analytical chemistry research laboratory and instrumentation and adhere to standard laboratory safety procedures and SOPs.
To carry out experiments as per protocols established by the supervisor, screening of high number of samples using high throughput assays, developing and modifying experimental procedures under the guidance of the supervisor.
To maintain accurate laboratory records of experiments performed and results obtained and communicating these to other members of the research team as recognized by the research scientist; interact with other researchers across the country to coordinate field research and laboratory analyses.

Intent of the process

Immediate need: 1 full time indeterminate position.

A pool of qualified and partially qualified candidates may be established to staff similar positions with various tenures (Indeterminate, Acting, Assignment, Deployment, Specified period).

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 degree in science from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in food science, biochemistry, toxicology, analytical chemistry, microbiology, environmental chemistry OR an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience related 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 providing technical support and leading projects in a laboratory, growth chambers, greenhouse, or field environments
Experience in the operation, routine maintenance, and troubleshooting of instrumentation related to analytical chemistry and chemical analyses.
Experience managing and performing quality assurance and quality control on instrument. performance and analytical data.
Experience in experimental design.
Experience in collecting, compiling, and analyzing experimental data.
Experience in statistical analysis and interpreting experimental results.
Experience in report writing, data presentation, and participating in drafting of scientific papers.

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

Graduation with a Master’s or Ph.D. from a recognized post-secondary university with specialization in food science, biochemistry, toxicology, or biological sciences.

Degree equivalency

Experience working with UHPLC, Orbitrap, and/or LC-MS-MS.
Experience in assay development (extraction methodologies for biological material such as cereal grains, food, soil, and/or plant material) and/or high throughput screening of cereal grains for mycotoxins.
Experience in supervising and training others.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of principles and practices of immunochemistry, analytical chemistry, and toxicology.
Knowledge of fungal mycotoxins in small grain cereals.
Knowledge of statistical analysis and quality control.
Knowledge of instruments used in analytical chemistry such as but not limited to pH meters, Elisa readers, centrifuge, liquid chromatography (HPLC/UHPLC), mass spectrometers, and near infrared analyzers.

Initiative
Adaptability
Interactive communication
Teamwork
Planning and organizing
Concern for safety

Ability to establish and conduct experiments.
Ability to compile and analyze data and summarize results.

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

Knowledge of agricultural production systems in Canada.

Ability to use complex software for instrument operation or for the analysis of experimental data in the context of specialized instruments (HPLC, UHPLC, Orbitrap, LC-MS-MS).

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

All employees of the core public administration are required to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and attest to their vaccination status unless accommodated based on a medical contraindication, religion, or another prohibited ground for discrimination as defined under the Canadian Human Rights Act.

Valid driver’s license.
Ability and willingness to work overtime including evenings and weekends.
Ability and willingness to work in laboratory environment for extended periods of time and under normal safety precautions.
Ability and willingness to work with chemicals and other hazardous materials.
Ability and willingness to conduct fieldwork and travel to field sites across Canada
Ability to lift equipment and samples (20 kg max), walking in rough terrain, and be exposed to the environmental conditions (eg., insects, sun, rain)

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).


On October 6, 2021, the Government of Canada announced details of its plans to require vaccination across the federal public service. The details can be found on this site: https://www.canada.ca/en/treasury-board-secretariat/news/2021/10/backgrounder-covid-19-vaccine-requirement-for-the-federal-workforce.html

As per the new Policy on COVID-19 Vaccination for the Core Public Administration Including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, federal public servants in the Core Public Administration and members of the RCMP must attest to their vaccination status. The requirement for employees to be fully vaccinated applies whether they are teleworking, working remotely or working on-site. This is a condition of employment and it applies to indeterminate (permanent), determinate (term), casual, and student hiring. Should you reach the point in the selection process where it is necessary to verify terms and conditions of employment then the hiring manager or a human resources representative will contact you in order to complete an attestation. The Policy can be found on this site: https://www.tbs-sct.gc.ca/pol/doc-eng.aspx?id=32694

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.