PHYSICAL SCIENTIST, RESEARCH

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

Work environment

The various PC-02 positions will report to Research Scientists to provide support to priority programs such as the Chemicals Management Plan, St. Lawrence Action Plan, Oil Sands Monitoring Program, Climate Change and Atmospheric Pollutants Program, and others. They will contribute to the development of coordinate state-of-the-art laboratory and/or field research programs, maintain and troubleshoot equipment, analyze complex datasets, generate reports, and engage in writing scientific publications. In addition, they will be responsible for maintaining links with other departments and researchers, ensuring training and safety protocols are in place, and supervising casuals, students. Positions are available in environmental, chemical, and toxicological research programs in which both field and lab work play essential roles. The contributions of the incumbents would enable the Division to provide critical support to clients of the Science & Technology Branch (e.g., Enforcement Branch, Environmental Protection Branch, etc…).

Intent of the process

The intent of this selection process is to fill several indeterminate positions located in Burlington, Ontario and Montreal, Quebec. A pool of qualified candidates will be established and may be used to fill similar or identical positions, in various locations, with different security profiles, different durations and language requirements at Environment and Climate Change Canada.

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

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 from a recognized post-secondary institution, with acceptable specialization in physics, geology, chemistry or some other science relevant to the position.

Note: The courses for the specialization must be acceptable and must have been taken at a recognized post-secondary institution, but not necessarily within a degree program in the required specialization.

Degree equivalency

Experience
E1. Experience contributing to the design, planning, and completion of laboratory or field research projects related to the effects of stressors in aquatic ecosystems.

E2. Experience writing technical or scientific documents, such as reports, research proposals or publications, training materials, etc.

E3. Experience in the analysis and interpretation of datasets, including performing quality assessment and control (QA/QC), as related to scientific research projects.

E4. Experience operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting laboratory or field equipment or instruments.

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

Education
Graduation with a Master’s degree (or above) from a recognized post-secondary institution in the field of environmental science, biology, toxicology, biochemistry, chemistry, physics, geology, or some other science relevant to the position.

Degree equivalency

Experience
Depending on the position being filled, one or more of the following asset criteria may be invoked.

AE1. Experience in authoring scientific publications as first author.

AE2. Experience in developing and employing methods in environmental research such as:
• designing field experiments;
• designing treatments and preparations of various environmental matrices (e.g., water, wastewater, biological tissues, sediment, etc…) for instrumental analyses;
• developing methods for instrumental analyses of various environmental matrices (e.g., water, wastewater, biological tissues, sediment, etc…);
• designing methods or protocols to assess effects of contaminants in organisms.

AE3. Experience in the operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of state-of-the-art instrumentation including liquid or gas chromatography interfaced to mass spectrometry instruments (e.g., tandem MS), including ultra-high resolution mass spectrometry instruments (e.g., QToF, orbitrap).

AE4. Experience using analytical instrumentation software operating systems (e.g., Excalibur, MassLynx) or using non-targeted data analysis software for high-resolution instruments (e.g., Compound Discoverer, Mass Profiler Professional, Mass Hunter Profinder, Lipid Annotator, Metaboanalyst) to generate quantitative, semi-quantitative, and qualitative data or using software for the interpretation of molecular pathways (e.g., Metabolika, KEGG, Uniprot).

AE5. Experience completing univariate and multivariate statistical analyses or experience developing mathematical models to describe the interactions of toxicants in mixed contaminant exposures or experience developing mathematical models to describe the uptake and depuration patterns of contaminants with various software (e.g., Sigma Plot, SAS, SPSS, Systat, RStudio).

AE6. Experience in the use of laboratory analytical methods at the gene (e.g., PCR, gene sequencing) or biochemical or tissue levels to assess the effects of contaminants on organisms.

AE7. Experience in using stable isotopes in environmental studies.

AE8. Experience investigating anthropogenic impacts on the biogeochemical cycling of inorganic and organic atmospheric pollutants in watershed and aquatic ecosystems.

AE9. Expertise in gamma-ray spectrometry and radiometric dating of sediments using 210Pb (includes sample preparation, detector calibration, activity determinations, associated QA and participation in inter-laboratory comparison testing) and in calculating and reporting on common age models for sediments and associated age uncertainties.

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

Various language requirements
Variable linguistic profiles (English Essential in Burlington; Bilingual imperative BBB/BBB in Montreal)

Information on language requirements

Knowledge
K1. Knowledge of laboratory health and safety practices and procedures.

Abilities
A1. Ability to plan, organize, and prioritize activities related to science deliverables.
A2. Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
A3. Ability to adapt to changing priorities.

Personal Suitability
PS1. Showing initiative and being action oriented
PS2. Working effectively with others
PS3. Demonstrating integrity and respect
PS4. Thinking things through

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

Selection may be limited to members of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, visible minorities

Information on employment equity

Operational requirements
Depending on the position being filled, Operational Requirements may be selected from amongst the following:
Ability and willingness to travel within Canada periodically.
Ability and willingness to work in laboratory and/or field environments for extended periods of time including weekends.
Ability and willingness to work with hazardous materials with safety precautions in place.
Ability and willingness to work with wastewater and sludge.
Ability and willingness to work in field environments that include less than ideal conditions such as cold, heat, dust, noise and odors.
Ability and willingness to work occasional overtime.
Ability and willingness to lift and carry heavy or awkward equipment (up to 30 kg).

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance - Depending on the position being filled, Conditions of Employment may also include the possession of a valid driver’s license.

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

A written exam may be administered.

An interview may be conducted.

Reference checks may be requested.

Asset qualifications may be used in the screening or selection process. Therefore, applicants must clearly demonstrate in their application how they meet the asset criteria for experience.

Applicants with foreign degrees must provide proof of Canadian equivalency. Consult the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials for more information at https://www.cicdi.ca/1/accueil.canada.

You must provide proof of your educational credentials upon request.

Candidates may participate in this nomination process in the official language of their choice. Applicants are asked to specify their official language preference in their application.

All communications relating to this process, including e-mail correspondence, may be used in the assessment of qualifications.

Applicants must make a reasonable effort to make themselves available for evaluations as scheduled. Rescheduling will be allowed only for accommodations or other exceptional / extenuating circumstances and will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

Our intention is to communicate with applicants by e-mail. Applicants must include a valid e-mail address with their application and ensure that it is always in working order and accepts e-mail from unknown users (some e-mail systems block such messages). Candidates are responsible for providing any changes to their personal information to the contact person indicated on this Notice of Employment Opportunity. No acknowledgement of receipt will be sent.

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.