Research Technician

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

Cereal Chemistry Research Technician (EG 04):
The incumbent will work in a cereal chemistry/nutrition research laboratory focusing on the nutrition and quality of cereal grain and pulse crop cultivars. Our lab evaluates the physical, biochemical and rheological factors responsible for grain, flour and end-product quality. The incumbent will provide technical support to the Research Scientist by carrying out lab analyses and processing experiments required to fulfil the objectives of the research program.
The incumbent will contribute to the design and plan of experiments and may adapt methodology when using equipment such as: HPLC, UPLC, GC, fibre analyser, spectrophotometer, centrifuge, plate reader, muffle furnace, freeze drier, nitrogen analyzer, NIRS and others. The incumbent will measure the composition of grains and agri-food products (e.g. macronutrients and minor components) and evaluate properties related to nutritional functionality using static and dynamic in vitro tools such as enzymatic assays, cell culture systems and stomach model (e.g. starch and protein digestibility, bioavailability, fibre physicochemical properties, antioxidant activity). The incumbent will also be responsible for conducting grain/pulse processing on lab or pilot scale using various milling, fractionation, flaking and heat processing equipment as well as food formulation for the development of samples for research and clinical trials. The incumbent will also evaluate end-product quality and flour/dough functionality using a variety of testing methods including but not limited to RVA, farinograph, mixograph, texture analyzer, colorimeter, particle size analyser.
The incumbent will contribute data, tables and graphs to scientific manuscripts and descriptions of materials and methods. The research technician will be responsible for ensuring that lab equipment runs properly and there are adequate supplies for uninterrupted research. Research technician will record data on Excel spreadsheets, calculate basic statistics and review for accuracy. The incumbent is expected to share expertise and training within the working group, with students and collaborators as required by the project. The incumbent will follow all appropriate health and safety protocols including implementation of risk assessments and safe working procedures. The incumbent will be required to generate and maintain data files and accurate laboratory records of samples, protocols and project results.

Work environment

As one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers, AAFC is proud to celebrate our achievement in creating a diverse, respectful, and positive workplace where all employees are valued and recognized for their unique qualities, ideas, voices and perspectives.

Intent of the process

Immediate need: 1 full-time permanent position.

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)

A 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 in providing technical support in a laboratory environment, scheduling lab activities and coordinating multiple experimental plans.
Experience in operating, maintaining and calibrating basic and complex laboratory instrumentation.
Experience in managing and analyzing data resulting from experimental treatments using a variety of software.
Experience in processing of cereal grains or pulses or other agri-food products.

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

Degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in agriculture, food science, plant biology, nutrition, chemistry, biochemistry, or related field of study.

Degree equivalency

Experience in assessing and modifying methodologies or tools to meet research objectives.
Experience in conducting lab analyses of cereal derived bio-active compounds.
Experience in conducting lab analyses of volatile or aroma compounds.
Experience in conducting analytical or functional tests related to wheat or dough quality.
Experience in conducting static and dynamic in vitro digestion experiments.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of cereal grain components including: carbohydrates, proteins, oil and minor components.
Knowledge of instruments used for wet chemistry such as, but not limited to, pH meter, centrifuge, spectrophotometer, liquid chromatography (HPLC/UPLC), gas chromatography, mass spectrometer and near infrared analyser.
Knowledge of the impact of cereal grain consumption on human health
Knowledge of laboratory methodologies, tools, and principles related to analysis of grains and agri-food products.

Analytical thinking
Interactive communication
Teamwork
Adaptability

Ability to prepare chemical solutions and perform mathematical calculations.
Ability to implement safety procedures within a food science laboratory.

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

Ability and willingness to travel nationally and internationally on occasion (ie: for training purposes).
Ability and willingness to lift up to 25 kg.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Known allergies must be controlled through the use of personal protective equipment or medication and must not impinge upon the duties to be performed
Ability and willingness to work with dust, loud equipment, chemicals and other lab hazards using personal protective equipment.

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.

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.