Research Assistant - Plant Physiology

Update: UPDATE: Please note that the selection process has been amended to extend the closing date to February 13, 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

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

The successful candidate will be responsible for assisting in the overall operations of a plant physiology program focusing on the primary and sustainable production and storage of horticultural crops. Current and proposed projects prominently feature both wine grape and apple production and storage with an emphasis on sustainability and climate change mitigation. Duties will include a healthy and engaging mix of computer, field and lab work. Under the direction of the lead researcher, the incumbent's duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:

-Computer and desk work: literature reviews; input into experimental design; data inputting and analyses; ordering of materials; and helping to train students and incoming lab employees;
-Lab work: tissue cultures; grafting; conducting of experiments in controlled growth environments; data gathering; competitive assays; work with biologicals and microbiome studies; operation, troubleshooting and maintenance of scientific equipment, including sensors, gas chromatography and high-pressure liquid chromatography;
-Field work: gathering and processing of soil and tissue samples from commercial research plots; data gathering; and maintenance of field plots, including an on-site research vineyard.

In particular, this position will provide the successful candidate with opportunities to apply their skills and expertise developed in the course of their post-secondary education, as well as acquire valuable experience and learn new skills.

Work environment

The Kentville Research and Development Centre (KRDC) was established in Kentville, Nova Scotia in 1911. One of 20 research centres in the Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) nationwide network, the KRDC conducts research in the areas of germplasm development, sustainable and environmentally resilient primary production, postharvest handling and storage, and food attributes and safety. KRDC research addresses predominant horticultural crops in the region, such as tree fruits, berry crops, wine grapes and vegetables. Working at the KRDC is an opportunity to work in a dynamic, continually changing research environment dedicated to the acquisition of new knowledge and the creation of a sustainable food network.

Intent of the process

The intent is to staff a four month term from this process but the opportunity could lead to permanent employment.

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.

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)

Education:
•Graduation with a degree or diploma from a recognized post-secondary institution with acceptable specialization in plant physiology or in another relevant field or an 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:
•Experience in operating and maintaining lab equipment.
•Experience in collecting plant or soil parameters.
•Experience in conducting research activities in a laboratory (e.g., basic chemistry, titrations, acids and bases).
•Experience in managing crops.

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

Experience - Asset:
•Experience with tissue culture or other propagation techniques.
•Experience with molecular techniques and analyses (gel electrophoresis, PCR, sequencing, QIIME2).
•Experience with gas chromatography, microplates, spectrophotometry or high-pressure liquid chromatography.
•Experience in troubleshooting anomalies in lab equipment.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge:
•Knowledge of lab safety procedures.
•Knowledge of basic lab techniques (e.g., chromatography, molecular, sensors).
•Knowledge of physiological mechanisms and traits that influence plant growth.
•Knowledge of methods used in horticultural production.

Competencies:
•Initiative
•Interactive communication
•Planning and organizing
•Teamwork

Ability:
•Ability to collect and accurately record data, make observations and analyze and interpret results.

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

Ability - Asset:
•Ability to operate, adjust, calibrate and maintain sprayers (such as handheld, backpack, boom and air blast sprayers).

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

Willing to work overtime during peak periods (e.g., harvest time).
Have a valid, class 5 Nova Scotia driver’s licence or other provincial/territorial equivalent.
Have or be willing to obtain a valid pesticide applicator’s licence.
Able and willing to travel.
Able and willing to work in laboratory, greenhouse and field environments for extended periods of time with appropriate safety precautions in place.
Able and willing to work outdoors under variable weather conditions.
Able and willing to work with hazardous materials while following regular safety precautions.
Able and willing to lift boxes and equipment weighing up to 20 kg.
Able and willing to stand for extended periods of time on concrete floors and to walk over uneven ground in orchards, vineyards and fields.
Able and willing to work in fields where it is necessary to bend over or squat to gather samples from plants or from the ground.

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.