Aquatic Science Biologist III *Amendment to Closing Date*

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

Duties

The Manager of the Aquatic Biotechnology Laboratory (ABL) will work closely with research colleagues in Maritimes Science Branch and other regions of Fisheries and Oceans Canada to provide genomics laboratory services and advice. Laboratory services include, but aren’t limited to, genotyping, aquatic species identification (e.g. fish, invertebrates, marine plants, bacteria, marine mammals) and DNA sequencing.

The ABL manager will, in addition to other duties:
• manage annual work plans and budgets for ABL, including scheduling work, record keeping, and reporting;
• manage ABL staff including biologists, technicians, students and visitors;
• collaborate with research colleagues to develop project proposals, including genomics-related project deliverables and budgets;
• manage ABL operations, including conducting and documenting Occupational Health and Safety inspections, overseeing procurement and maintenance of scientific instruments, and ensuring custody, safe-keeping and security of scientific data and samples;
• interpret analytical results and troubleshoot issues with methodology and/or instruments;
• develop new or modified techniques, assays and protocols;
• function as a subject matter expert for DFO researchers and managers.

Work environment

DFO Maritimes Science Sector is comprised of staff that conducts research, modelling, and monitoring to enhance our understanding of aquatic ecosystems and provides advice to support the management of all the Canadian fisheries and other aquatic activities of our Maritimes region. The Maritimes Science Program has 5 priority areas: populations and ecosystem assessments; safe navigation and emergency response; mitigation of ecosystem stressors; adaptation to a changing environment; and marine spatial planning. Maritimes Science Branch consists of over 400 staff working from multiple locations in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick.

Intent of the process

Fill one (1) indeterminate BI-03 position. A pool of qualified candidates may be used to staff similar positions of various tenures in Maritimes Region.

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:

Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in biological sciences.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE:
• Experience interpreting and troubleshooting qPCR results.
• Experience using and troubleshooting polymerase chain reaction technique (PCR) for genotyping techniques (such as microsatellites, single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), etc.) for the detection, identification, and differentiation of organisms.
• Experience managing sample information and multiple types of genomics data, such as sample information, genotype results, nucleotide sequences.
• Experience preparing budgets for research proposals.
• Experience managing scientific projects and teams.
• Experience developing and providing science-based advice and recommendations to scientists, managers, or stakeholders.
• Experience evaluating scientific results and communicating scientific issues, findings or technical information to non-experts.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

KEY LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES:
• Create vision and strategy
• Mobilize people
• Uphold integrity and respect
• Collaborate with partners and stakeholders
• Promote innovation and guide change
• Achieve results

ABILITIES:
• Ability to communicate orally.
• Ability to communicate in writing.
• Ability to translate scientific research objectives into technical steps, with appropriate detail, to allow technical staff (technicians or biologists) to complete the research objective.

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

EDUCATION:
• Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in molecular biology.

• Post-graduate degree from a recognized university in a natural, physical or applied science with specialization in a field relevant to the duties of the position.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE:
• Experience setting up qPCR reactions for environmental DNA (eDNA) samples and interpreting results.
• Experience designing and optimizing qPCR assays for use with environmental DNA (eDNA) samples.
• Experience using genotyping techniques with aquatic organisms.
• Experience with metabarcoding.
• Experience in preparing libraries for Next Generation Sequencing (such as for metabarcoding, whole genome sequencing, metagenomics, genotyping-by-sequencing, amplicon sequencing etc.).
• Experience running a bioinformatics pipeline in a Linux environment.
• Experience operating and maintaining a MiSeq.
• Experience creating and troubleshooting Microsoft Access databases.
• Experience in authoring or coauthoring scientific papers and reports.

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
• Work flexible hours and overtime as required, including evenings and weekends.
• Travel
• Work in environments such as analytical laboratories using caustic and toxic chemicals.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

• Valid driver’s license.

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

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.