Research assistant in animal genomics/epigenomics

Update: UPDATE: Please note that the selection process has been amended to extend the closing date to March 18, 2022 - 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

The position is under the research program that studies the genetic, epigenetic and non coding RNA regulatory mechanisms underlying animal health and production traits; and how genetic/epigenetic markers can be harnessed to develop next generation improvement strategies for livestock health and production. The duties include:
- Design, plan, develop research protocol plans and conduct experiments related to genetics/epigenetics as directed by the supervisor
- Perform laboratory analyses
- Data and laboratory management
- Coach, train and assign task to students and colleagues
Provide support for writing scientific posters and communication

Work environment

Research at Sherbrooke RDC focuses on developing cost-effective and environmentally friendly dairy and swine production techniques that provide Canadians with high-quality agricultural products.

The Sherbrooke RDC is the only AAFC research centre that is dedicated exclusively to dairy and swine production. Specializing in a number of different disciplines in the areas of animal science such as husbandry, nutrition, functional genomics, agro-environmental processes, behaviour study and meat quality, the centre’s research teams are able to conduct both fundamental and applied research to gain insight into and develop solutions to issues related to livestock production.

The Sherbrooke RDC is equipped with world-class equipment and facilities to conduct genomics research in collaboration with its bioinformatics team and Genome Quebec. The work force at Sherbrooke RDC is diverse and reflects the Canadian population, with everyone working together as a family.

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.

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)

EDUCATION
A secondary school diploma or an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE
Experience in designing, planning, developing research protocol plans and in conducting experiments related to genetics/epigenetics.
Experience in handing/manipulating cells and nucleic acids and in using molecular biology techniques (e.g. PCR, qPCR, molecular cloning, nucleic acids purification, gene manipulation, gene editing, transfection, cell culture, western blot, ELISA, preparation of libraries for next-generation sequencing, etc.) to achieve project objectives.
Experience in organizing and summarizing data and statistical analysis.
Experience contributing to the writing of scientific posters and communications.
Experience in coaching, training and assigning work to interns, students or colleagues.
Experience acquired through full-time performance of similar duties of the position for at least two (2) years within the last (6) six years.

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

EDUCATION
Graduation with a degree or diploma (BSC, MSC, etc.) from a recognized post-secondary institution with acceptable specialization in one of the following fields or an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience: biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, genetics, immunology, microbiology, animal science or a related discipline.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE
Experience in conducting research projects in dairy cows or pigs or other farm animals.
Experience collecting and analyzing field samples from animals.
Experience conducting research projects in genetics/epigenetics or immunology or microbiology and animal production.
Experience in techniques employed in gene manipulation including gene editing.
Experience in cell culture techniques (transfection, siRNA, generation of stable cell lines).
Experience in techniques employed in the field of protein biology and/or enzymology (e.g. protein isolation and purification, immunoblotting, immunoprecipitation, ELISA, mass spectrometry).

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 current concepts, theories and principles of genetics/genomics/epigenetics.
Knowledge of the principles of molecular biology techniques (e.g. PCR, qPCR, molecular cloning, nucleic acids purification and manipulation, gene manipulation, gene editing, transfection, cell culture, western blot, ELISA, next-generation sequencing, in situ hybridization, etc.)
Knowledge of gene and bioinformatics data bases.
Knowledge of laboratory safety procedures and directives.

COMPETENCIES
Adaptability
Initiative
Interactive communication
Planning and organization
Teamwork

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

KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge of the principles of cell and gene manipulation including molecular cloning (recombinant DNA), gene delivery (transformation, transfection, transduction) and gene editing (CRISPR, etc.) and other related techniques.
Knowledge of RNA biology, handling and manipulation of mRNA and small RNA species.
Knowledge of the principles and techniques of cell culture (transfection, siRNA, generation of stable cell lines and other relevant techniques).
Knowledge of techniques in epigenetics.
Knowledge of the principles and techniques in immunology (e.g. immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, and other relevant techniques).

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

Valid driver's licence or have the aptitude to travel associated with possession of a valid driver's licence.
Ability and willingness to work overtime as required, work in the weekend and to travel on occasion.

Conditions of employment

Ability and willingness to work in laboratories, pilot plants and facilities of private-sector stakeholders.
Ability and willingness to work in the field, in the barn and in the laboratory.
Ability and willingness to work with strong odours (manure, sludge, etc.).
Ability and willingness to work with laboratory animals and large farm animals.
Ability and willingness to work with microorganisms and pathogens.
Ability and willingness to work in a confined environment, comply with the instructions and apply established procedures.
Ability and willingness to work with samples of animal or human origin or environment, which may contain unknown pathogens.
Ability and willingness to take and / or handle a range of samples (including, without limitation, feces, tissue, body fluids, organs, meat, fruits, vegetables, environmental samples, etc.) from production systems, slaughterhouses, processing plants, field trials and clinical trials.
Ability and willingness to work with acids and strong bases.
Reliability and security: Reliability clearance.
In case of allergies, know how to control them using personal protective equipment or medication so they do not interfere with the work to be carried out.
The candidate must be able to work in contact with farm animals and in agricultural conditions that may cause allergic reactions (hay fever).


 

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.