Postdoctoral Research Program

Important messages

When you apply to this selection process, you are not applying for a specific job, but to an inventory for future vacancies. As positions become available, applicants who meet the qualifications may be contacted for further assessment.

Applications will be received on a continuous basis into the inventory. Each hiring organization will be responsible for conducting the assessment of candidates. For this reason, it is important for each candidate to clearly rank on their application the organization(s) by order of preference.

It is the applicant's responsibility to maintain accurate and valid contact information on their application to the PRP. Please send any changes to your contact information to the PRP Mailbox: .

A complete Statement of Merit Criteria is not available as this is for inventory loading purposes. Should you be contacted for further consideration, the hiring organization will provide a copy of the complete Statement of Merit Criteria.

The appointments may apply to either regular term employment or sunset term employment.

At Natural Resources Canada, the Alice Wilson Fellowship was created to promote the hiring of women and excellence in science. Individuals who identify themselves as women when applying to the PRP and who have selected NRCan as their preferred department will automatically be eligible for this fellowship.

Duties

The Postdoctoral Research Program (PRP) provides scientists, who have recently obtained a doctoral degree in a field of natural sciences, with the opportunity to work with research groups or leaders in Canadian government laboratories and research institutions located across Canada. In turn, the Government of Canada benefits from new and emerging talent.

Federal research scientists contribute to strategic decisions, policies, regulations and programs by providing a sound scientific knowledge base through their research. Research scientists perform their work in pursuance of departmental mandates in order to attain specified outcomes and to conceptualize, identify, formulate and set in motion new outcomes in delivering programs, meeting the future needs of the department.

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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.

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

EDUCATION:

• Graduation within the last three (3) years* with an acceptable doctoral degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in a field of natural sciences with a specialization related to the duties of the position (see list of specializations below).

*Special consideration may be given to applicants who were unable to apply during the 3-year period, due to a significant career interruption or delay. If this concerns your eligibility to the program, please contact the PRP Mailbox ().

Applications will be accepted if applicants are currently enrolled in a doctoral program at a recognized post-secondary institution; however, candidates must meet the education requirements in order to be appointed to a position.

NOTE: You must clearly indicate your education level. Candidates invited to the assessment stage will be required to provide proof of their education credentials, i.e., their degree or official transcript. It is your responsibility to provide this information when requested.

Candidates with foreign credentials must provide proof of Canadian education equivalency. For more information visit : https://www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/jobs/services/gc-jobs/information-candidates/degree-equivalency.html

Failure to produce proof of Canadian education equivalency will result in elimination from the process.

LIST OF EDUCATION SPECIALIZATIONS BY HIRING DEPARTMENTS AND AGENCIES:

*Specializations will be used for screening purposes. It is the responsibility of the applicant to CLEARLY IDENTIFY THEIR SPECIALIZATION in their application. Please refer to the list of the specializations below.

NATURAL RESOURCES CANADA:
3D Modelling, Aeronautical Engineering, Agronomy, Atmospheric Radiative Transfer and Modelling, Basin Analysis, Bedrock Geology, Bioinformatics in Natural Resources, Biostatistics in Natural Resources, Building Science Engineering, Chemical Engineering Civil Engineering, Chemistry, Climate Change in Forests, Computer Science, Economics in Natural Resources, Electrical Engineering (Power System), Engineering, Environmental Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Sciences, Environmental Soil Chemistry, Forest Biodiversity, Forest Carbon Science, Forest Ecology, Forest Ecophysiology, Forest Entomology, Forest Fire Science, Forest Hydrology, Forest Land Reclamation, Forest Management, Forest Meteorology, Forest Modelling, Forest Pathology, Forest Soils Study, Forested Peatland and Wetland Science, Genomics in Natural Resources, Geochemistry, Geochronology, Geodesy, Geomathematics, Geo-microbiology, Geomorphology, Geophysics (Marine), Geophysics (Seismology), GIS/Cartography, Hydrocarbon Systems, Hydrogeology, Hydrometallurgy, Hyperspectral Remote Sensing, Igneous Petrology, Isotope Geochemistry, Landscape Forest Ecology, Litho-geochemistry, Marine Geology, Material Characterization, Materials Engineering, Materials Science, Mechanical Engineering, Metallogeny, Metallurgical Engineering, Metallurgical Processing, Metallurgy, Microbiology, Micropaleontology, Mine Waste Stabilization, Mine Wastes Characterization, Mineral Characterization, Mineral Processing, Mineralogy, Mining, Molecular Biology in Natural, Resources, Nuclear Science and Engineering, Nutrition animal, Optical Remote Sensing, Organic Geochemistry, Permafrost, Permafrost Dynamics in Forests, Petroleum Microbiology, Petrology (Organic), Petro-physics, Physics, Pyro metallurgy, Radar Interferometry, Radar Polarimetry, Radar Remote Sensing, Remote Sensing, Remote Sensing in Natural Resources, Sedimentology, Seismicity, Silviculture, Social Sciences in Natural Resources, Soil Science, Space Weather, Stabilization of Wastes, Stratigraphy, Structural Geology, Surficial Geochemistry, Surficial Geology, Tectonics, Thermochronology, Toxicology, Tree Physiology, Welding, or other specialization in a field relevant to the duties of the position.

AGRICULTURE AND AGRI-FOOD CANADA:
In the context of agriculture, agri-food, agri-products, or agri-ecosystem productivity and health: Agricultural engineering; Agri-environmental Science; Agricultural Water Use Efficiency; Agrometeoroloy; Agronomy; Animal Behaviour; Animal Health and Welfare; Animal Nutrition; Animal Physiology; Biochemistry; Biodiversity; Biofuels/Biomaterials; Bioinformatics; Biosystematics/Taxonomy; Chemistry; Earth Observation; Ecology; Entomology; Food Science; Genetics and "omics" sciences; Geospatial Information Systems; Germplasm Development; Microbiology; Molecular biology; Mycology; Nematology; Nutrient Management (manure and commercial fertilizer); Plant Physiology; Plant Pathology/Protection; Post-harvest Physiology; Remote Sensing; Soil Science (including nutrient cycling, carbon sequestration); Sustainable Crop/Livestock Production Systems; Water Quality Management; Weed Science; or other specialization in a field relevant to the duties of the position.

CANADIAN GRAIN COMMISSION:
Agri-environmental Science; Agronomy; Biochemistry; Biodiversity; Biofuels/Biomaterials; Bioinformatics; Biosystematics/Taxonomy; Chemistry; Food Science; Genetics and "omics" sciences; Microbiology; Molecular biology; Mycology; Nematology; Plant Physiology; Plant Pathology/Protection; Post-harvest Physiology; Sustainable Crop Production Systems; Rapid and non-destructive analytical methodologies such as NIRs; or other specialization in a field relevant to the duties of the position.

ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE CANADA
Natural sciences (chemistry, biology, physics), environmental science, ecology, engineering, mathematics, meteorology, hydrology, atmospheric science, atmospheric chemistry, ecotoxicology, earth system science, geography, remote sensing, statistics, computer science, biogeochemistry, aquatic sciences, oceanography; or other specialization in a field relevant to the duties of the position.

FISHERIES AND OCEANS CANADA:
In the context of Fisheries and Oceans; 3D Modelling, Aquaculture Science, Aquatic Animal Health, Aquatic Invasive Species, Biochemistry; Biodiversity; Biostatistics, Bitechnology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Ecology; Ecosystem Science, Environmental Chemistry, Environmental Sciences, Fisheries Assessment, Genomics, Hydrography, Microbiology Molecular biology, Animal Nutrition, Oceanography, Physics, Population Ecology, Population Modelling, Remote Sensing, Statistics, Stock Assessment Biology, or other specialization in a field relevant to the duties of the position.

HEALTH CANADA:
Analytical Biotechnology/Biochemistry (LC, CE, physic-chemistry), Analytical Chemistry, Applied Mathematics, Aptamer Chemistry, Artificial Intelligence, Atmospheric Science, Bacteriology, Biochemistry, Bioengineering, Biogeochemistry, Bioinformatics, Biology, Biology Therapeutics, Biomedical Engineering, Biopharmaceutics, Biophotonics, Biophysics, Biostatistics, Biotechnology, Cancer Immunotherapy and Immunopathology, Carbohydrates, Cell Biology, Chemical Biology, Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, Computational Biology, Coordination Chemistry, Drug Delivery and Development, Drug Discovery, Earth Sciences, Endocrinology, Engineering Physics, Environmental Biology, Environmental Chemistry, Environmental Engineering, Environmental Health, Environmental Modelling, Environmental Science, Enzymatic Synthesis, Epidemiology, Exosomes/Extracellular Vesicles, Exposure Science, Food Microbiology, Food Science, Genetics, Genomics, Geography, Geology, Geophysics, Glycobiology, Glycomics, Health Physics, Immunology, Ionizing Radiation, Mass Spectrometry, Material Science, Material Sciences, Medical Physics, Metabolomics, Metagenomics, Metal Speciation, Method Development, Microbiology, Mineral Characterization, Modelling, Molecular Biology, Monoclonal Antibodies, Nanomedicine, Nanotechnology, Nuclear engineering, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR), Nutrition, Nutritional Sciences, Optics/Photonics, Parasitology, Pathogen Detection, Pharmacology, Physical Chemistry, Physics, Physiology, Population Health, Protein Biochemistry/Structure/Stability/Function, Protein Characterization, Proteomics, Radiobiology, Radiochemistry, Radiofrequency Engineering, Recombinant Protein Technology, Regenerative Medicine, Risk Assessment, Separation Chemistry, Statistics, Stem Cells, Sub-Visible Particle Analysis, Systems Biology, Toxicology, Transcriptomics, Vaccine Adjuvants, Vaccine Research, Virology, Water Quality Science, Zoology

PUBLIC HEALTH AGENCY OF CANADA:
Anti-Microbial Resistance, Bacteriology, Biochemistry, Bioforensics, Bioinformatics, Biosystematics/Taxonomy, Computational Biology, Data Sciences, Economics , Environmental Sciences, Epidemiology, Food Science, Genetics, Genomics, Geospatial Information Systems, Health Sciences, Human Kinetics, Immunology, Laboratory Surveillance, Mass Spectroscopy, Mathematics and Statistics, Microscopy and Imaging, Modelling (population, risk, disease), Molecular Biology, Molecular Pathobiology, Mycobiology, Natural sciences (biology, microbiology), Nutrition, ‘Omics’ sciences, Parasitology, Political Science, Population Health, Prion Diseases, Proteomics, Psychology, Public Health, Public Health Technologies, Remote Sensing, Social Sciences, Sociology, Therapeutics, Vaccine Development, Virology

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE*:

• Experience in planning and conducting research.
• Experience in working with a team of researchers and support staff.

• Productivity/Recognition:
Refers to recognized achievement in the form of authorship and editorship of published or unpublished reports, books, papers, peer-reviewed scientific journals, or other communications resulting from:

a) Research, experimental development, or tasking associated with operational equipment and problems; OR
b) Operational research and scientific analysis; OR
c) Planning, analysis and evaluation of Canadian and foreign programs in research and development; OR
d) Developmental work leading to the issue of patents, copyrights, or the creation of improved varieties, functions, or designs, and/or recognition by the professional community of the research environment.

*Additional essential, asset or experience criteria may be added based on the position being staffing

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

Various language requirements

Information on language requirements

COMPETENCIES:

• Adaptability
• Initiative
• Judgement
• Teamwork
• Interactive Communication

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

ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS:

Natural Resources Canada, Agriculture & Agri-Foods Canada, Canadian Grain Commission, Environment & Climate Change Canada, Fisheries & Oceans Canada, Health Canada and Public Health Agency of Canada are committed to establishing and maintaining a representative workforce. Qualified candidates who self-declare as members of a Visible Minority group, Aboriginal peoples, Persons with disabilities or Women (in non-traditional occupations) could be selected to meet an employment equity gap.

OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS*:

• Willingness and ability to travel (within and/or outside Canada).
• Willingness and ability to work overtime on short notice or without notice.

ECCC additional requirements:
• Willing and able to work in the laboratory and in the field under less than ideal conditions (i.e. inclement weather).
• Willing and able to be away from home for one or two weeks at a time on work-related travel.

*May vary depending on the position being staffed. They may include but are not limited to the following.

Conditions of employment

Conditions of employment may vary depending on the position being staffed. They may include but are not limited to the following:

• Reliability or Secret security clearance

For positions at Natural Resources Canada, the conditions of employment may include:

• Possession of a valid driver’s license
• Medical examination for isolated posts.
• Successful completion of the Canadian Firearms Safety Course and/or the Canadian Restricted Firearms Safety Course.
• Possess and maintain a valid Canadian Firearms Safety Certification - "Restricted" and "Non-restricted" firearms.
• Work over long periods in the field conducting research, often under harsh environmental conditions.

For Positions at the Canadian Grain Commission, the conditions of employment may include:

• Work overtime as required.
• Work with and be exposed to hazardous chemicals and equipment.
• Wear appropriate protective clothing and/or equipment.
• Maintain standing and/or sitting positions for extended periods of time.
• Work in an environment where there is continual exposure to grain and flour dust (known allergies must be controlled through the use of personal protective equipment and/or medication, and must not impinge upon the work to be performed).
• Move and/or lift items (up to 20 kg).
• Adhere to laboratory safety standards and procedures.
• Work in cold rooms for limited periods in order to retrieve samples.

For positions at Fisheries and Oceans Canada, the conditions of employment may include:

• Work overtime as required.
• Work over long periods in the field conducting research, often under harsh environmental conditions.
• Work at sea aboard research vessels and platforms of different sizes.
• Work aboard various platforms including helicopters, small planes and boats of various sizes.

For positions at Environment and Climate Change Canada conditions of employment may include:

• Overtime work as required
• Pre-employment medical
• Work with and exposed to hazardous chemicals and equipment
• Wear appropriate protective clothing and/or equipment
• Work over long periods in the field conducting research, often under harsh environmental conditions
• Work aboard various platforms including helicopters, small planes and boards of various sizes

For positions at Health Canada, the conditions of employment may include:

• Respectful of Diversity
• Positions may have the following Condition of employment: Medical clearance

For positions at the Public Health Agency of Canada, the conditions of employment may include:

• Work overtime as required
• Adherence to laboratory safety standards
• Medical clearance (depending on the requirement of the position)

Successful candidate(s) must meet and maintain any applicable Conditions of Employment throughout their employment.

Other information

ASSESSMENT:

• A written exam may be administered.
• An interview may be conducted.
• Reference checks may be conducted.
• If you do not fully complete the screening questions as instructed, you may be screened out.

GENERAL INFORMATION:

• Candidates must clearly demonstrate in their application that they meet the education, experience requirements and productivity/recognition. Failure to provide sufficient information will result in the candidate being screened out.

• Only on-line applications, submitted through the GC Jobs website will be accepted by the hiring organizations.

• Applicants can modify their online application/résumé at any time; however, if modifications are made to your application, it is important to advise us by sending an e-mail to the PRP Mailbox at: indicating that changes have been made so that we can ensure to update our files with the latest version.

• To submit an application on-line, please select "Apply Online."

• Persons with disabilities preventing them from applying on-line are asked to contact 1-800-645-5605. Also, should you require a technical aid or alternative method of assessment to ensure an equitable assessment of your qualifications, please indicate so in your application.

• Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice.

• Candidates from outside the federal public service may be required to pay for their own travel and relocation expenses for their participation in the process.

• In your application, please clearly identify your Citizenship: Canadian or Non-Canadian, Permanent Resident Status or Work Permit. You will be asked to show proof of this status in order to complete the security screening required for employment.

• Note: Information provided pertaining to your application, such as your name, education, responses to screening questions, etc. will be shared across participating organizations for staffing purposes.


COMMUNICATION:

Where an e-mail address is provided, the Selection Board may choose to communicate with candidates by e-mail to provide or request information and to invite candidates to attend any portion of the assessment. Please include a VALID e-mail address that you check frequently, if you have one.

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled, diverse workforce reflective of Canadian society. As a result, it promotes employment equity and encourages candidates to indicate voluntarily on their application if they are a woman, an Aboriginal person, a person with a disability or a member of a visible minority group.

The Public Service of Canada is also committed to developing inclusive, barrier-free selection processes and work environments. If contacted in relation to a job opportunity or testing, you should advise the Public Service Commission or the departmental official in a timely fashion of the accommodation measures which must be taken to enable you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans and to Canadian citizens, in that order.

Information on the preference to veterans

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