Research Technician - Food and Environmental Microbiology

Update: Please note that the selection process has been amended to extend the closing date to February 23, 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.

As part of its priority to advance reconciliation and renew Canada’s relationship with Indigenous Peoples, AAFC is committed to hiring more Indigenous Peoples into their workforce. Better representation within the public service of Canada’s fastest-growing demographic group will lead to more innovative and inclusive solutions to today’s complex challenges. Ultimately, this will improve government services for Canadians. Indigenous peoples are therefore encouraged to apply to this process and self-identify.

Duties

We are seeking a highly qualified and motivated Research Technician (EG-04) for a position in Food and Environmental Microbiology, that will provide technical support for the isolation, identification and characterization of microorganisms from food and environmental samples. The candidate will also be involved in research using next-generation sequencing to characterize target bacterial pathogens and microbial communities.

The successful candidate will, under the direction of the Food Microbiomics Research Scientist, coordinate and perform research using classical microbiology techniques and molecular biology tools to assess the dissemination of priority antimicrobial resistant (AMR) pathogens (e.g., Campylobacter spp., E. coli, Salmonella enterica, Enterococcus spp., etc.) affecting human and animal health across the One-Health continuum.

The technician’s duties will include:
• Develop, adapt, and implement protocols for classical and molecular microbiology research.
• Extract DNA from bacteria and environmental samples.
• Prepare samples for next-generation sequencing.
• Characterize bacterial isolates and their susceptibility to antimicrobials using phenotypic and genotypic methods.
• Assist with all aspects of field work, e.g., setup and maintenance of research plots, sample collection, field observations, and data collection.
• Assist with all aspects of laboratory work, e.g., establishment and maintenance of microbial culture collections, preparation of stock and working cultures, setup and execution of in vitro assays.
• Identify and quantify bacterial species from food and environmental samples using molecular techniques, e.g., PCR, qPCR
• Improve and troubleshoot field and laboratory methods.
• Bioinformatic analysis of 16S rRNA microbiome and whole genome sequencing data using open source tools.
• Manage and analyze data, write in-house reports and protocols, and assist in the preparation of manuscripts and presentations.
• Assist with staffing, training, and supervision of students and coordinate their work.
• Procure and manage laboratory materials and equipment.
• Assist with the development and maintenance of SOPs, risk assessments and a biosafety manual for a Containment Level 2 facility.

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

The immediate need is to fill one position on an indeterminate basis. The process results may be used to staff similar positions with various security requirements, tenures, and 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:
Bachelor’s degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in the field of biology, microbiology, bioinformatics, food science, molecular biology, microbial genomics, or in another relevant field.

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 isolating and identifying target bacteria (i.e. E. coli, Salmonella sp., etc.) from food or environmental samples.
Experience with molecular techniques (i.e. DNA isolation, purification, PCR, etc.), equipment and software for analysis.
Experience planning and conducting laboratory experiments with human pathogens in a Containment Level 2 Laboratory.
Experience analyzing data from next generation sequencing.

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

Asset education:
Master's degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in biology, microbiology, bioinformatics, food science, molecular biology, microbial genomics or in another relevant field.

Degree equivalency

Asset experience:
Experience with antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
Experience with animal ethics and care requirements for research with livestock.
Experience in writing reports and scientific manuscripts.
Experience training students in a laboratory environment.
Experience with the use of meta-omics approaches for the analysis of microbiomes.
Experience with bioinformatics methods and databases, and using open-source bioinformatics software.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge:
Knowledge of foodborne pathogens and antimicrobial resistance.
Knowledge of the theories, principles and techniques of microbiology and molecular biology.
Knowledge of the theories, principles and techniques of microbial genomics and bioinformatics.

Competencies:
Adaptability
Teamwork
Planning and organization
Initiative

Abilities:
Ability to plan and execute experimental protocols.
Ability to collect and accurately record data, analyze and interpret results.

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

Asset knowledge:
Knowledge of at least one programming language (e.g., R, Python).

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 British Columbia driver’s license or other provincial/territorial equivalency.
Ability to work in a laboratory, greenhouse, and field environments.
Ability and willingness to work with biohazardous materials in a Containment Level 2 (CL2) Laboratory following established biosafety procedures.
Ability and willingness to travel.
Ability and willingness to work flexible hours, including evenings and weekends.

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

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

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.