Research Assistant Food Science (4 streams)

Update: Please note that the selection process has been amended to extend the closing date to 2023-11-29 - 23:59, Pacific Time.

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

Common tasks (Streams 1, 2, 3 and 4):

Under the direction of the research scientist, the incumbents will conduct research and carry out tasks, such as the following:

- Conduct research activities in accordance with work plans, protocols, schedules and deliverables.
- Develop and apply quality control procedures for the methods and processes developed and for the equipment used.
- Assess, review and interpret analytical data and results.
- Ensure proper management and overall organization of the laboratory, equipment and supplies.
- Create and share scientific information from research projects.
- Provide and participate in the training and supervision of interns.

Work environment

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (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.

The Saint-Hyacinthe Research and Development Centre (RDC), established in 1987, is one of AAFC’s 20 research and development centres. It is the only AAFC research and development centre to focus exclusively on food processing research. The RDC’s facilities make it possible for science teams to carry out innovative research projects and contribute to training the next generation of agri-food scientists. Sixty employees divided into multidisciplinary teams, including research scientists and technical support staff, work there every day. The research expertise is divided into the following three pillars (research teams):
- Food attributes and physical chemistry;
- Food, food processing and the value chain;
- Microbiology and food safety.

The RDC also offers analytical research support (mass spectrometry), a pilot plant and a sensory assessment unit. Its industrial program meets the needs of agri-food businesses for small-scale food testing and processing.

Intent of the process

The intent is to create a pool of qualified candidates for current and future staffing needs in the following streams:

Stream 1: Food attributes and physical chemistry
Stream 2: Microbiology and food safety
Stream 3: Food, food processing and value chain
Stream 4: Analytical research support (mass spectrometry)

In the absence of an immediate job offer at AAFC, qualified and partially qualified candidates will be placed into a talent pool that will be used to fill permanent or temporary positions in the future. Specialized skills may vary according to the position being staffed.

In the event that a public service employee is qualified through this process and where there is a temporary need, the employee may be considered for an acting appointment, transfer, assignment or secondment.

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 (ALL STREAMS):

Diploma or degree from a recognized post secondary institution with a specialization in a field such as food science, engineering, biology, chemistry or another relevant 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 (ALL STREAMS):

- Experience designing and developing tools and experiments.
- Experience developing and adapting protocols.
- Experience using statistical analysis tools.
- Experience supervising students or interns.
- Experience contributing to writing of scientific reports and articles.

KNOWLEDGE (ALL STREAMS):

- Knowledge of laboratory safety procedures and directives.

COMPETENCIES (ALL STREAMS):

- Interactive communication
- Writing skills
- Planning and organization
- Attention to detail
- Client focus
- Teamwork

ABILITIES (ALL STREAMS):

- Ability to use, maintain and calibrate laboratory equipment.
- Ability to collect and analyze data and interpret results.

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

EDUCATION-ASSET (ALL STREAMS):

Degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in food science, biology, engineering or chemistry.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE-ASSET:

STREAM 1:

-Experience in laboratory work with analytical techniques to characterize the physico-chemical properties of food.

STREAM 2:

-Experience in laboratory techniques for processing micro organisms from food, environmental and pure culture samples.

STREAM 3:

-Experience in food processing.
-Experience in one of the following areas: Food system modelling, food process engineering, nutrition, in vitro digestion, emerging technologies, automation or robotics.

STREAM 4:

-Experience developing and validating methods for the analysis of chemical substances.
-Experience using and maintaining mass spectrometry chromatography equipment.

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

Bilingual - Imperative (BBB/BBB)

Information on language requirements

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

KNOWLEDGE-ASSET:

STREAM 1:

-Knowledge of basic food characterization techniques and processes for fractionating and extracting food compounds.
-Knowledge of chromatographic or spectroscopic or immunological techniques for the characterization of food compounds.

STREAM 2:

-Knowledge of basic principles and laboratory techniques in food microbiology and molecular biology.
-Knowledge of laboratory biosafety containment level 2 procedures and guidelines.

STREAM 4:

-Knowledge of chemical analyses of organic substances through chromatography combined with mass spectrometry.
-Knowledge of metabolomics or proteomics.

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 - Security clearance: Secret and Reliability Status

Have a valid Class 5 Quebec driver’s licence or another provincial/territorial equivalent.
Be willing and able to travel on occasion.
Be willing and able to work with strong chemicals, acids and bases.
Be willing and able to perform repetitive tasks.
Be willing and able to work outside normal working hours when circumstances require.
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.
Be willing and able to work with human disease–causing micro organisms.

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.