Research Assistant – Cereal Breeding

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.

Duties

As part of an experienced team, the successful candidate will assist with research related to plant breeding, germplasm development, and genetics in cereal crops. Duties include emasculation and pollination, greenhouse increase of seeds, seed preparation, seeding, plot maintenance, harvesting, working with specialized lab and field equipment related to cereal breeding research. The successful candidate will contribute to generating new knowledge by collecting experimental data, conducting data analysis, assisting in the preparation of reports and presentations, and supporting technology transfer activities. Other duties will include training, adapting protocols, and coordinating activities with staff/collaborators.

In order to provide you additional information regarding the Research Assistant - Field Breeding role, here are examples of daily tasks :
• Exhibit a high degree of autonomy, self-direction and responsibility.
• Analyze and interpret data; develop experiments, protocols, analytical methods, and experimental designs.
• Manage complex project activities with multiple goals and objectives, complex timelines, and competing deadlines.
• Be able to provide operational supervision to students, graduate students and research participants.
• Act as a knowledgeable person who discusses, plans and coordinates with others, and disseminates complex information within the science team, with members of other teams, with employees of other departments or organizations.
• Demonstrate well-developed competencies such as achievement orientation, adaptability, client focus, interactive communication, concern for safety, creativity and innovation, team work, initiative, planning and organizing, and problem solving.

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

The Brandon Research and Development Centre supports innovative research, development, technology and knowledge transfer activities related to the following AAFC Science Sector Strategies, Agro-Ecosystem Resilience, Cereals and Pulses / Oilseeds and Horticulture focusing on developing new and improved varieties of wheat, oats and barley, sustainable and profitable crop production systems, and agro-ecosystems. The majority of the work will be conducted to enhance field breeding research by collecting and analyzing data from both lab and field experimentation. Computer work and working with hazardous chemicals will be required. Overnight travel will be required, for example when participation in germplasm collecting activities in fields and in wild habitats occurs. Temporary exposure to dusty, hot, wet or cold environments, insects and pests may occur when conducting greenhouse and field operations.

Intent of the process

The immediate intent is to fill 1 full-time permanent position in Brandon, Manitoba

If you don’t immediately receive a job offer for this position, a pool of qualified and partially qualified candidates may be established and may be used to staff permanent or temporary positions in the future for the location indicated for this process.

In the event that an employee of the public service is qualified through this process, and there is a temporary need, 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)

Diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in one of the following fields: Agriculture; Environmental Sciences; Life Sciences; Plant Biology; Genetics; or a related program OR acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

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 growing various plant species in a field, growth chamber or greenhouse.
Experience using scientific instruments to apply and adapt scientific techniques/methodologies.
Experience collecting and analyzing agronomic data.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of cereal breeding.
Knowledge of agronomic practices used in cereal production.
Knowledge of research methodologies and principles.

Adaptability
Planning and organizing
Teamwork
Interactive communication

Ability to summarize results in writing, in tables, or in graphs.

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 Manitoba driver’s license, or other provincial/territorial equivalency.
• Ability and willingness to work with hazardous chemicals using appropriate safety equipment after receiving suitable training.
• Ability and willingness to work overtime including evenings and weekends.
• Ability and willingness to undertake work-related training.
• Known allergies must be controlled through the use of personal protective equipment and/or medication and must not impinge upon the duties to be performed.
• Ability and willingness to work with high levels of dust.
• Ability and willingness to sit for long periods at a lab bench making observations using a microscope or other devices.
• With appropriate safety precautions in place, ability and willingness to work in laboratory, greenhouse and/or field environments for extended periods at a time.
• Ability and willingness to work outdoors under various weather conditions (these climatic conditions may be hot or cold).
• Ability to perform physically demanding work activities, including moderate to heavy manual work such as lifting objectives up to 25 kg.

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

ASSESSMENT 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.