Research Scientist - Biochemist Human Nutrition

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

This research position involves developing a program in Human Health and Nutrition with a central focus on the design and execution of high quality human food based clinical trials that will generate credible evidence to support regulatory approval of health claims for Canadian crops and Agri foods. This science program will involve the use of in vivo and in vitro models and valid biomarkers of disease outcomes to assess the efficacy of Canadian crops and ingredients in promoting better health outcomes in humans and animals under the Agri-Food Science Strategy. The research program will also seek to meet industry needs and drive change in the agri-food industry.

Work environment

The Guelph Research and Development Centre (Guelph RDC) located in Guelph, Ontario was established in 1997. It is one of the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's (AAFC) network of 20 research and development centres. The Guelph RDC focuses on research and development in food safety and value added food attributes to help foster a profitable agri-food sector in Canada. A unique pilot-scale food research facility (Containment Level-II) and analytical facilities allow scientists to study pathogen survival rates during food processing, and identify healthy food attributes. This work helps Canada to continue to lead in food safety and promotes the availability of healthy foods.

Intent of the process

A pool of qualified and partially 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.

Contact information for 2 references.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

EDUCATION
Graduation with an acceptable doctoral degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in a field of Nutrition or Food Science with an emphasis on nutrient metabolism and biomarkers or any closely related discipline.

Applications will be accepted from candidates enrolled in their final year, but who have not yet completed a Ph.D. program. Completion of the Ph.D. thesis must occur before the date of appointment.

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
Recognized achievement in the form of authorship and editorship of published or unpublished reports, books, papers, peer-reviewed scientific journals, or other communications resulting from:

a) Research, experimental development, or tasking 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, copyrights, or the creation of improved varieties, functions, or designs, and/or recognition by the professional community of the research environment.

Candidates will be assessed on expertise in one or more of the following areas:
• Nutrition
• Biomarkers
• Human trials
• Nutrigenomics
• System biology
• Biochemistry
• Enzymology

Expertise refers to experience and skill in using approaches, tools, and/or technologies within a scientific context.  

Experience developing and implementing research projects related to the influence of food on human health and metabolism.

Experience in the design of agri-food products with enhanced health attributes.

Experience in conceptualizing and execution of high quality food based human trials for substantiation of health claims.

Experience in conceptualizing, 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)

EXPERIENCE
Experience writing grant applications.

Experience working on a multi-disciplinary science team.

Experience managing multi-year projects with associated human resource, budgetary, and planning functions.

Experience interacting with government, industry and other stakeholders to garner support and research direction. Post-doctoral research experience in one of the following fields: nutrigenomics, metabolomics, proteomics as relates to metabolism and health.

Demonstrated experience in analytical and laboratory methods to measure metabolites and bio-markers.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge of the role / impact of food or food components on human metabolism.
Knowledge of models (in vitro, animal, in vivo) used to demonstrate the relationship between food, disease and health.
Knowledge of study designs and methods used in food based human trials for substantiation of health claims.
Knowledge of regulatory policy relating to health claim substantiation of food and agri-food products.

ABILITIES
Ability to communicate orally
Ability to conduct independent research
Ability to prioritize
Ability to take initiative

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

Selection may be limited to members of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women

Information on employment equity

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

Conditions of employment

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.

Security: 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 travel.
Ability and willingness 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).


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.