Assistant Bioinformatician in Genomics and Metagenomics - Research Affiliate Program

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

AAFC is committed to diversity and inclusion and is proud to be recognized as one of Canada’s best diversity employers. We welcome all applicants and strongly encourage candidates to self-declare if they belong to an Employment Equity designated group (i.e. Aboriginal Peoples, Persons with Disabilities, Visible Minorities or Women).

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).

Duties

The candidate will have Dr. Wen Chen (Ottawa RDC, AAFC) as his/her supervisor. The student will have the opportunity to work on a research project titled "Integrated Approach for Identification, Characterization, and Evaluation of Plant Growth Promoting Bacteria (PGPB) using Whole-Genome Sequencing and Biochemistry Estimation." This project involves utilizing advanced molecular biological techniques to investigate PGPB traits.

The student will gain hands-on experience in various molecular biology research techniques, including bacterial strain isolation, culturing, DNA and/or RNA extraction, DNA/RNA qualification and quantification, PCR and qPCR assays, sequencing library preparation, genomics sequencing using Nanopore and/or Illumina sequencing technologies, as well as biochemistry estimation of PGP traits.
In addition to wet- and dry-laboratory work, the student will be responsible for writing technical reports, preparing manuscripts for publication.

The selected candidate will carry out field, greenhouse, and wet-lab experiments, including but not limited to air, soil, and plant tissue sampling, DNA and/or RNA extraction, DNA/RNA qualification and quantification, PCR and qPCR assays, writing technical reports, and assisting manuscript preparation.

Work environment

The Ottawa Research and Development Centre (ORDC) is one of the largest R&D centres of the Science & Technology Branch (STB) at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). ORDC is located on the beautiful, historical, 425-hectare Central Experimental Farm in downtown Ottawa and leads research in three areas: 1) Crop genetic enhancement and genomics; 2) Biodiversity of vascular plant, fungi and bacteria, and invertebrates; and 3) Integrated assessment of long-term environmental effect of agricultural practices. Research conducted at ORDC, as well as all R&D centres of STB, are aligned with national priorities to help the sector adapt and remain competitive in domestic and global markets. We work closely with other federal government agencies, provincial governments, industry, academia, and other partners in Canada and abroad to increase agricultural productivity; improve environmental performance; improve attributes for food and non-food uses; and to address threats to the agriculture and agri-food value chain.

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

Positions to be filled: 2

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

Contact information for 2 references.

A list of the courses you have taken as well as any courses that you are taking now, or that you will be taking this academic year

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

Education:
Currently enrolled or will be enrolled by the date of appointment in a Master’s program at the University of Ottawa in the following specialization: Bioinformatics.

Note: Must be currently recognized as having full-time student status in the academic institution in which you are presently enrolled, pending approval of acceptance or in the process of submitting your application. Proof of enrollment will be required prior to start date and must be returning to full-time studies for your next academic term.

Degree equivalency

Experience:
Experience* in DNA extraction, qualification, quantification, DNA electrophoresis.
Experience* in using R language.
Experience* in using BASH, or Python, or PERL.

*In the context of student recruitment in the Federal Public Service, the experience can be acquired through the studies, work experience, or volunteer activities.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge:
Knowledge of molecular biology.
Knowledge of whole-genome sequencing.
Knowledge of basic statistics.

Competencies:
Teamwork
Interactive communication
Thoroughness

Abilities:
Ability to work independently.
Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

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

Operational Requirements:
Possession of a valid driver’s license.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance - Each student hired through the Research Affiliate Program (RAP) must meet the security requirements of the position as a condition of employment, and therefore will be asked by the hiring organization to complete security-relevant documents.

Other Conditions of Employments:
• Willingness and ability to work with flexible working hours
• Willingness and ability to work in field, greenhouse, and wet-lab environment for extended periods at a time
• Known allergies must be controlled through the use of person protective equipment and/or medication and must not impinge upon the duties to be performed.

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

Applications submitted by email will not be accepted. You must apply on-line through https://www.canada.ca/en/services/jobs/opportunities/government.html.

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

Candidates will be required to pay for their own travel related to assessment and successful candidates will be responsible for obtaining their own living accommodations.

Successful completion of both a RAP work assignment and your educational program may lead to a temporary or permanent federal public service position for which you meet the merit criteria and conditions of employment.

Preference

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.