Research Technician

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

NOTE**A translation issue was detected in the third French Experience statement. We have now made the required correction to the text. For the candidates who have sent in their applications in French prior to June 5, 2023, we will ask for further information regarding the third experience at a later date, once the process closes.**

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 and under the supervision of a Research Scientist, the successful candidate will carry out experiments and activities associated with bacteriophage biology and applications to enhance food safety.
The duties will include:

• Developing laboratory standard operating procedures for research activities;
• Preparing and maintaining records of experimental protocols, safe work and standard operating procedures and data files;
• Conducting experiments in microbiology, phage biology, molecular and cellular biology;
• Participating in multidisciplinary research projects;
• Organizing and coordinating research activities;
• Collecting and analyzing research data along with comprehensive statistical analysis;
• Contributing to the production of scientific reports, presentations and publications;
• Training and assigning work to undergraduate and graduate students;
• Ordering supplies and equipment and maintain equipment (which includes lifting and moving heavy items), software, and data banks;
• Maintaining bacterial culture and phage collections.

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

Pools of qualified and partially qualified candidates may be established and may be used to staff similar temporary or permanent positions.

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 microbiology or molecular biology or a related 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 planning and conducting laboratory or field experiments and contributing to experimental design related to food microbiology using foodborne bacterial pathogens.
• Experience with microbial DNA extraction, manipulation and amplification techniques.
• Experience with bacteriophage isolation, genome analysis, biology and applications.
• Experience in planning and conducting bacterial challenge studies in food.

KNOWLEDGE:
• Knowledge of laboratory safety procedure and directives.
• Knowledge of the principles of microbiological and molecular biology techniques.
• Knowledge of bacteriophage biology and applications.

COMPETENCIES:
• Adaptability
• Initiative
• Teamwork
• Problem solving

ABILITIES:
• Ability to collect and record data, to perform statistical analysis, to interpret results and to make observations.
• Ability to contribute to the preparation of scientific documents, such as research communication, publications in peer-reviewed journals or posters presentation.

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 G, Ontario driver’s license, or other provincial/territorial equivalency.
-Ability and willingness to travel on occasion.
-Ability and willingness to do repetitive tasks.
-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.
-With appropriate safety precautions in place, must be able and willing to work in laboratory for
extended periods at a time, and able and willing to work with infectious agents and hazardous
materials.
-Ability and willingness to work in level II containment facility.
-Ability and willingness to follow required training to work in level II containment facility, with
infectious agents and hazardous materials.
-Ability and willingness to maintain and handle heavy equipment (~20 kg).
-Ability and willingness to work flexible hours when required.

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.