Research Assistant - Plant Molecular Biology

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

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 an affable, well-organized team member with a passion for research, high
self-motivation, the ability to work independently, and a demonstrated record of academic and research excellence. Strong problem-solving abilities are highly valued. Proficiency in various laboratory skills, including molecular biology (DNA, RNA, and Protein), genomics, proteomics, plant cell biology, molecular mapping, and bioinformatics, would be advantageous.

The selected candidate will assume responsibility for offering analytical and technical support for dedicated projects. Hence, prior research experience in plant genomics, transcriptomics, RNA sequencing, and bioinformatics is essential. The ideal candidate should also have previous experience in routine molecular biology techniques such as DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, electrophoresis, sequencing, bioinformatics (i.e. GWAS), and more. Additionally, tasks may encompass the preparation, and maintenance of microbial cultures with strict adherence to aseptic techniques, solvent extraction, appropriate chemical waste management, and routine laboratory upkeep.

Work environment

The site of work is situated on the fourth floor of the Neatby Building at the Ottawa Research and Development Centre in Ottawa, Ontario. Work will be done in a plant molecular biology lab working in the field of plant genomics and proteomics research. The lab is a communal environment, where work will be carried out alone and in teams and space may be shared between research groups.

Intent of the process

The immediate need is to staff one Indeterminate position located in the National Capital Region.

A pool of qualified and partially qualified candidates may be established and may be used to staff similar positions with various tenures as well as various 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:
EED1. A secondary school diploma or employer-approved alternatives.

The employer-approved alternatives to a secondary school diploma are a satisfactory score on the Public Service Commission test 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:
E1. Experience collecting, compiling, analyzing and tracking many experimental samples and executing complex procedures in a laboratory setting.
E2. Experience performing bioinformatics analysis for high-throughput DNA and RNA sequencing datasets.
E3. Experience developing and optimizing allele-specific diagnostic markers (KASP, CAP, d-CAP).
E4. Experience performing Genome-Wide Association Analysis (GWAS).
E5. Experience performing nanopore long-read sequencing and related bioinformatics data analysis.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE:
K1. Knowledge of the principles, techniques, and specialized instruments used in molecular biology research (PCR, qPCR, etc.).
K2. Knowledge of molecular data analysis including DNA, and RNA sequencing data.
K3. Knowledge of safety procedures and safety precautions to be followed in a molecular biology laboratory (WHMIS, MSDS, Canada Labour Code, etc.).

COMPETENCIES:
C1. Adaptability
C2. Problem Solving
C3. Teamwork
C4. Analytical Thinking

ABILITIES:
A1. Ability to review, analyze and interpret data and explain significant results.
A2. Ability to plan and prioritize research projects and identify resources needed for its successful completion
A3. Ability to maintain organized records of samples, observations, and protocols conducted.

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

"WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND YOU IDENTIFY AND DESCRIBE IN YOUR APPLICATION ALL THE ASSET CRITERIA THAT MAY APPLY TO YOU"

EDUCATION AS ASSET:
AED1. Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with acceptable specialization in phytology, biology, natural resources, agriculture, or discipline directly related to duties of the position or an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE AS ASSET:
AE1. Experience performing bioinformatics analysis for high-throughput Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) datasets.
AE2. Experience working with proteins and associated methodologies including ELISA, protein expression, SDS-page and western blot.

KNOWLEDGE AS ASSET:
AK1. Knowledge of the use of the latest next-generation sequencing equipment and associated protocols for whole-genome sequencing for high-throughput molecular characterization.
AK2. Knowledge of computer software packages related to sequencing data analyses, genome-wide association analysis, and Gene ontology.

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

Information on employment equity

• Possession of a valid, Ontario G class driver’s license, or other provincial/territorial equivalency.
• Ability and willingness to work overtime.
• Ability and willingness to travel.
• Ability and willingness to work with hazardous materials and equipment.
• Ability and willingness to do repetitive tasks.
• Ability and willingness to work outdoors under variable weather conditions.
• Ability and willingness to work for extended periods in field and laboratory environments.
• Ability and willingness to work with organisms that may cause allergies.
• 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.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance - •Willingness and ability to have flexible operational work hours.
• With proper safety precautions in place, willingness, and ability to work with hazardous laboratory chemicals and equipment, and willingness and ability to work with organisms that may cause allergies.
• Willingness and ability to work at a computer for extended periods of time.

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 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 (essential or asset) to the strengths and weaknesses of the work team.
• Matching the individual's experience or qualifications (essential or asset) 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 for essential and asset criteria.

An interview may be administered for essential and asset criteria.

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 online at www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/jobs/services/gc-jobs.html.

Persons with disabilities preventing them from applying online 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.