Research Scientist – Plant Physiologist and Viticulturist

Update: Please note that the selection process has been amended to extend the closing date to January 30, 2023 - 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

When you apply to this selection process, you are not applying for a specific job, but to an inventory for future vacancies. As positions become available, applicants who meet the qualifications may be contacted for further assessment.

We will be doing continuous pulls of candidates on a monthly basis. Please submit your applications prior to the deadline to be considered throughout this period.

Should you be contacted for further consideration, the hiring manager will provide a copy of the complete 'Statement of Merit Criteria and Conditions of Employment' for the position being filled. You may be required at that time to provide additional information to be used for screening.

Duties

The position requires scientific innovation and leadership in the area of plant physiology and viticulture. The successful candidate will lead and develop a program in grapevine physiology, ecology, and production system design. The focus will be on grapevine ecophysiology and stress physiology, and the development and application of geomatics and sensing technologies for characterizing spatial variations in vineyard conditions. This program realizes strong collaboration with other viticulture and related research programs and with industry stakeholders, and plays an important role for wine grape producers throughout Canada, particularly in BC.

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.

Research at the Centre is focused on building resilient and profitable horticultural production systems,
with a focus on tender fruit crops including wine grapes (Vitis vinifera) and tree fruits. The Centre is
located in the Okanagan Valley at the heart of British Columbia’s wine industry. The region is
ecologically sensitive, and has a restricted land base and limited water supply. The Centre’s wine grape research is directed towards conserving resources and the natural environment while enhancing the quality and value of grapes and wines. The local industry has a long record of collaboration and providing support for research at the Centre. Most wine grape research is conducted by multidisciplinary research teams. For more information on the Summerland Research and Development Centre, please visit: https://profilsprofiles.science.gc.ca/en/researchcentre/summerland-research-and-development-centre .

Intent of the process

The immediate need is to staff one permanent position at the Summerland Research and Development Centre in Summerland, British Columbia (BC). A pool of qualified candidates may be established through this process and may be used to staff identical or similar SE-RES positions within Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada with various tenures, linguistic requirements or profiles, security requirements, and 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 an acceptable doctoral degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in a field of science with a specialization related to the duties of the position, such as, but not limited to: plant physiology, plant ecology, plant science, viticulture, horticulture, or botany, or other specialization in a field relevant to the duties of the position.

Note:
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

Experiences:
Recognized achievement in the form of authorship and editorship of published or unpublished reports, books, papers, peer-reviewed papers in 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 and analysis 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, among other aspects, their experience* in:
Measuring and characterizing grapevine physiological and developmental responses to environmental conditions and vineyard management practices, and application of precision management techniques.
Characterizing vineyard environmental conditions.
Assessing wine grape composition responses to vineyard environments and viticultural manipulations.
* Experience refers to experience and skill in using approaches, tools, or technologies within a scientific context.

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

Experience - Asset Qualifications:
Experience writing research grant applications.
Experience working within a multi-disciplinary science team.
Experience managing multi-year projects with associated human-resource, budgetary, and planning functions.
Experience interacting with industry and other stakeholders to garner support and research direction.
Experience in assessing wine quality responses to vineyard environments and viticultural manipulations.
Experience in spatial monitoring techniques such as sensor networks and drone-based remote sensing.
Experience in application or interpretation of geostatistics, spatial statistics, or geographic information system techniques.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge:
Knowledge of grapevine stress physiology and ecophysiology.
Knowledge of grapevine developmental physiology and phenology.
Knowledge of grape berry composition that influences wine quality.
Knowledge of viticulture techniques such as canopy management, vine training systems, nutrient management, irrigation methods, and floor vegetation management.

Competencies:
Initiative
Adaptability
Teamwork
Written Communication

Abilities:
Ability to communicate complex scientific subject matter.
Ability to interact with sector stakeholders to report research findings, and garner support and research direction.

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

Knowledge - Asset Qualifications:
Knowledge of data management systems.
Knowledge of integrated pest management practices used in vineyards.

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

Conditions of employment

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.
Ability and willingness to control allergies, through the use of personal protective equipment and/or medication without impinging on the duties to be performed.

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

Only on-line applications through the jobs.gc.ca website will be accepted. Applications submitted by email will not be accepted.

Persons with disabilities preventing them from applying on-line are asked to contact the email referenced below under “Contact Information”.

When applying on-line applicants can:
- create a profile and resume that can be used when applying for other processes
without having to recreate a new application each time;
- update their applications at any time;
- verify the status of their application at any time;
- find important information related to the process.

If you have an enquiry about your 'Applicant Profile', please contact the Public Service Commission directly for assistance.

Please identify the following on your application: substantive group and level if applicable; employment status; Personal Record Identifier (PRI).

There is a questionnaire that is part of this application process. Most questions are in a yes/no format, however, some will require additional details. Provide as much detail as possible to avoid being screened out. Do not copy and paste your resume when answering these questions. Your resume will be used for additional support for the answers you provide.

Communication for this inventory 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 inventory should include an email address that accepts email from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email).

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.

All communication relating to this inventory, including email correspondence may be used in the assessment of qualifications.

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.

There will be a security screening process prior to being hired that will include a criminal record check (fingerprinting) and credit check.

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.