Biologist – Soil Microbial Ecology

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

We want you to succeed! Our objective is to identify qualified candidates by fairly assessing their abilities. Assessment accommodations are intended to remove obstacles without altering the criteria being assessed so that all candidates can showcase their capabilities.

Please help us meet our commitment of providing an inclusive and barrier-free environment by letting us know if you require assessment accommodations, including assistance with the application process. Additional information on the assessment format(s) (for example: exam, interview) will be provided at each assessment stage.

As one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (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. We are dedicated to building and promoting a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce, representative of all Canadians regardless of race, ethnicity, colour, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, socio-economic background or lived experience. By embracing diversity and inclusion, our department ensures broader discussions, better decisions, and a more positive workplace.

We welcome all candidates, including Indigenous Peoples, Black, other racialized groups, persons with disabilities and members of the LGBTQ2+ community to apply and strongly encourage candidates to self-declare if they belong to an Employment Equity designated group (i.e. Indigenous (Aboriginal*) Peoples, Persons with Disabilities, Women or Visible Minorities - Black people and other racialized groups).

*The term “Aboriginal” is used within this job advertisement as it relates to the Employment Equity Act and other legislative frameworks. The term “Indigenous” is used where possible, in alignment with the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.

Duties

The successful candidate will work with the research scientist to plan, develop, and conduct research on soil microbial communities and plant-soil relationships.

Duties of this position include, but are not limited to:
-Laboratory analysis of soil microbes, conducting greenhouse and field experiments involving soil microbes and plant roots, and analysis of soil health from field-collected samples.
-The successful candidate will also contribute to writing scientific manuscripts for peer-reviewed publications, drafting research project reports, and help developing research proposals.
-In addition, the position will involve managing the day-to-day operation of the research laboratory in conjunction with the research scientist, including the training and supervision of students and other junior staff, as well as ordering equipment and consumables.

Work environment

AAFC is committed to diversity and inclusion. We have several networks dedicated to ensuring that the department continues to grow as an inclusive, accessible, respectful and diverse workplace. All employees are encouraged and welcomed to join the networks and participate in their activities and events.

• The Gender and Sexual Diversity Inclusiveness Network
• The Indigenous Network Circle
• The Managers' Community
• The Persons with Disabilities Network
• The Student Panel of Representatives for Orientation, Unity and Training
• The Visible Minorities Network
• The Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics Network
• The Young Professional's Network

Intent of the process

There is currently a need to staff one indeterminate full-time position.

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.

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 microbiology, plant biology, soil science or other relevant specialization.

If you were educated outside of Canada, you must have your certificates and/or diplomas assessed against Canadian education standards. Click on the link below to contact the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials (CICIC).

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE:
Experience in a research laboratory undertaking current soil microbial techniques.
Experience working in soil ecosystems such as grasslands, or cropping systems, or similar field environments.
Experience working with computer software for graphing and data analysis (e.g. R or similar script-based software).
Experience in writing scientific publications, technical reports or project reports.

KNOWLEDGE:
Knowledge of microbiology and soil science.
Knowledge of laboratory methods related to soil microbiology.
Knowledge of statistical methods used in ecology or applied biology.
Knowledge of soil microbes.

COMPETENCIES:
Analytical thinking
Initiative
Interactive Communication
Planning and Organizing
Teamwork.

ABILITIES:
Ability to perform statistical data analyses and graphing.

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

ASSET - EDUCATION:
Graduation with a graduate degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in a field relevant to the position.

Degree equivalency

ASSET - EXPERIENCE:
Experience working with a multi-disciplinary research team.
Experience managing multi-year research projects.
Experience in conducting research in plant physiology or plant pathology.
Experience in sustainable agricultural or ecological restoration practices, such as biocontrol, or inoculations with beneficial microbes, or intercropping, or organic agriculture, or low-input cropping systems.
Experience with computational biology related to metagenomics analysis, such as in bioinformatics as applied to microbial ecology.

ASSET - KNOWLEDGE:
General knowledge of soil microbes (e.g., arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi or plant-growth promoting rhizobacteria).

OTHER ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS:
Placement of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) employees affected by work force adjustment.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

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

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Possession of a valid, class 5 Saskatchewan driver’s license, or other provincial/ territorial equivalency.
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.
Ability or willingness to travel regionally, nationally or internationally as required for field studies, liaison with industry and academia, and attendance at scientific or technical meetings.
Ability or willingness to work under challenging conditions (e.g., high temperatures in the field).

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).

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.