Research Assistant - Doubled haploid production

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

The incumbent will assist and support in the performance of basic lab experiments under supervision. The incumbent will work towards production of doubled haploid (DH) plants in various plant species under laboratory and greenhouse/phytotron work environments using already established technologies. The work includes following standard operating procedures for preparing culture media and reagents, transfer and culture of plant materials using aseptic techniques, following established procedures for DH production, testing new protocols as provided by supervisor, rear, monitor and care for donor plants in growth facilities, collect and store spikes from donor pant material at the right stage and process them for culture, apply treatments to plants and cultures and keep accurate records; care and maintenance of equipment and facilities etc. The incumbent will work with the team towards maintaining a safe environment to accomplish assignments and contribute in developing improved methods of DH production and the development of knowledge and technology related to DH production. The incumbent will also show students how to perform task, provide technical support to projects, recognize and report malfunctions in analytical equipment and instrumentation, and generate and maintain an inventory of laboratory supplies, receives and stores supplies appropriately and disposes off wastes. The completion of this work will require the incumbent to be able to sustain physically demanding work in laboratory.

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 3 years - sunset funding).
Please note that this position requires on-site presence in Lethbridge, Alberta.

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, and there is a temporary need, 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)

● Secondary school diploma or acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience.

Degree equivalency

● Experience providing technical support in a research or laboratory environment.
● Experience preparing samples in a laboratory setting and performing analysis on samples.
● Experience preparing and maintaining records of experimental protocols and data files.

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

● Experience working with aseptic techniques.
● Experience working in tissue culture.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

● Knowledge of basic biology, plant science and plant tissue culture.
● Knowledge of basic analytical laboratory procedures.

● Adaptability
● Concern for Safety
● Interactive Communication
● Teamwork

● Ability to use scientific instruments and to apply scientific techniques and methodologies from developed protocols.
● Ability to make observations, collect and record data accurately and summarize results.

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

● Knowledge of doubled haploid (DH) principles and laboratory procedures.
● Knowledge of seed and plant health.
● Knowledge of plant breeding.

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

● With appropriate safety precautions in place, ability and willingness to work in laboratory and greenhouse/phytotron for extended periods at a time.
● Ability and willingness to work overtime including evenings and weekends.
● 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.

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.

Apply online