Research Biologist – Cropping Systems

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

We are seeking a research biologist who possesses significant expertise and experience in the field of agronomy. The successful candidate will contribute to our cutting-edge research on integrated cropping systems. The primary focus of this position is to investigate the effects of integrated management practices on various indicators of cropping systems, including but not limited to production, resource use efficiency, and system resilience. The ideal candidate should possess advanced data analysis skills to unravel the intricate interactions between genotype, environment, and management strategies at the cropping system level. In addition to conducting field and laboratory work, the successful candidate will assist project lead in coordinating research activities, preparing project reports, and publishing research findings in scientific papers. Collaboration is key in our multidisciplinary research environment. The successful candidate will work closely with a diverse team of scientists across the Canadian Prairie region.

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

Immediate need: 1 full-time temporary position (duration of 4 years).

A pool of qualified and/or partially qualified candidates may be established and used to fill similar positions on a temporary or permanent basis.

In the event that an employee of the public service is qualified through this process, they 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 from a recognized post-secondary institution at the graduate level (Master's or above) with a specialization in Agronomy, Plant Science, Soil Science, or 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 in working with diverse crops and cropping systems
Experience in designing and conducting scientific research related to field crop production
Experience in examining the agronomic relationships between crops, soils, and management practices in the context of the productivity sustainability of cropping systems
Experience in preparing scientific manuscripts and project reports
Experience in analyzing data using statistical software such as R or SAS

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

ASSET EXPERIENCE
Experience in managing research projects
Experience in working on a multi-disciplinary team
Experience in making field observations during growing seasons
Experience in conducting laboratory analysis

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE
Knowledge of integrated crop management practices that improve sustainability of cropping systems
Knowledge of experimental design and statistical data analysis
Knowledge of soil-plant-environment interactions in agro-ecosystems

COMPETENCIES
Interactive communication
Teamwork

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 5 Saskatchewan driver’s license, or other provincial/territorial equivalency, or personal mobility to the extent normally associated with the possession of a valid driver's license.
- Ability and willingness to work overtime.
- Ability and willingness to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends.
- Ability and willingness to control allergies, through the use of personal protective equipment and/or medication without impinging on the duties to be performed.
- Ability and willingness to work under various environmental and weather conditions.

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

ASSESSMENT 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 the individual's experience or qualifications to the strengths and weaknesses of the work team.
• Matching the individual's experience or qualifications to the specific duties of the position being staffed.
• Depth, breadth, and 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 educational 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 emails from unknown users (some email systems block these types of emails).

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.