Bioinformatics Specialist

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 Bioinformatician will support research scientists at the Pacific Forestry Centre to design, develop and conduct computational data analytics for large data sets in the “omics” fields (genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics) by providing expert advice and driving technology adoption. They will contribute to the development, refinement and improvement of bioinformatics applications. They will be required to interpret and assess work assignments by consulting with internal/external clients and with Scientists/Biologists and bioinformatics experts. They will participate on project teams and working groups conducting research and data analysis.

Work environment

The Pacific Forestry Centre is an internationally-recognized forest science laboratory specializing in forest disturbances, economics, invasive species, entomology, pathology, carbon science, and remote sensing. A vibrant group of researchers, technical staff and administrative staff work to maintain a supportive, creative and stimulating work environment. The research centre is located in Victoria, a dynamic coastal city on southern Vancouver Island, British Columbia.

Intent of the process

A pool of (fully or partially qualified) candidates may be established through this process to staff with identical or similar positions within Natural Resources Canada with various tenures, various language requirements (English Essential, French Essential, English or French Essential, or Bilingual), linguistic requirements (imperative and/or non-imperative) and profile(s) (BBB/BBB, CBC/CBC, CCC/CCC, etc.), various security requirements (Reliability status or Secret clearance), various conditions of employment and for various locations.

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 in a natural, physical or applied science with specialization in a field relevant to the duties of the position.

Note:
The courses for the specialization must be acceptable and must have been taken at a recognized post-secondary institution, but not necessarily within a degree program in the required specialization.

Degree equivalency

Experience:
Experience designing, testing and operating bioinformatics tools for the analysis of genomic datasets.
Experience developing automated workflows based on in-house or third-party software for genomics analysis.
Experience using Linux/Unix operating system(s).
Experience in programming using object-oriented languages (e.g., C++, Python, Perl, Ruby, Rust or Java).

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge:
Knowledge of theories, principles of the main bioinformatics methods used for analysis of genomics data.
Knowledge of whole-genome, transcriptome, meta-genome, and meta-barcoding of environmental DNA sequencing concepts and principles.

Abilities:
Ability to communicate effectively orally.
Ability to communicate effectively in writing.
Ability to prepare technical reports and presentations, with descriptions of methods and analysis results.
Ability to handle multiple projects simultaneously.

Personal suitability:
Teamwork
Initiative

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

Asset Education:
A master’s degree (MSc) or doctorate degree (PhD) in science from a recognized post-secondary institution with a specialisation in biology, biochemistry, genomics, bioinformatics, computational biology, computer science or another specialization relevant to the position being staffed.

Degree equivalency

Asset Experience:
Experience using R for data mining, visualization and statistical analysis.
Experience with cloud computing (e.g. Azure or AWS).
Experience supervising student work.
Experience conducting training or workshops.
Experience developing or using applications based on relational database platforms (e.g., MySQL, Postgres, Oracle, Graph).

Organizational Needs:
Natural Resources Canada is committed to establishing and maintaining a representative workforce. This organizational need may be identified as part of the appointment decision. In such cases, qualified candidates who self-declare as members of a visible minority group, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities or women (in non-traditional occupations) could be considered in priority.

Operational Requirements:
Available to work onsite at the Pacific Forestry Centre on a regular basis. The position will not be eligible for full-time telework.
Willing and able to work flexible hours and overtime.
Willing and able to travel within Canada (and abroad) including travel by car, rail and air.
The work requires long periods of sustained attention to a computer screen.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

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

All applications must be submitted online through the GC Jobs website. DO NOT email, fax or mail in applications, as these will NOT be accepted..

Acknowledgment of receipts of applications will not be sent; we will only contact successful applicants when the screening process has been completed.

Applicants are required to meet the Essential Qualifications. Asset Qualifications MAY be applied at any point in the assessment process. Therefore, you are strongly encouraged to answer Asset Qualifications questions in your online application. Applicants do not need to meet any/all of the Asset Qualifications for consideration; however, possessing any/all of the Asset Qualifications may increase the likelihood of being considered for an appointment.

Natural Resources Canada is committed to establishing and maintaining a representative workforce. This organizational need may be identified as part of the appointment decision. In such cases, qualified candidates who self-declare as members of a visible minority group, Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities or women (in non-traditional occupations) could be considered in priority.

An interview may be sought.

A written test may be administered.

A situational exercise may/will be administered.

Reference checks may be sought.

Candidates should be prepared to provide proof of education (copy of degree/diploma) and citizenship or permanent resident status. If you have obtained education outside Canada, you will be required to submit proof of evaluation of Canadian equivalency. Consult the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials for further information at http://www.cicic.ca.

Candidates from outside the public service may be required to pay for travel and relocation costs associated with this selection process.

If you are selected for further consideration, please advise the person who will contact you of any accommodations you may require during the selection process.

Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred official language in their application.

Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice.
The Public Service of Canada is also committed to developing inclusive, barrier-free selection processes and work environments. If contacted in relation to a job opportunity or testing, you should advise the Public Service Commission or the departmental official in a timely fashion of the accommodation measures which must be taken to enable you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

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.