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.
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.
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.
Responsibilities
Under the supervision of the Associate Director of Research, Development and Technology, the successful candidate will lead research in the field of synthetic biology and be responsible for developing a research program focused on the development and growth of a competitive, innovative and resilient Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector.
The incumbent will apply their knowledge of synthetic biology and metabolic engineering approaches to investigate and develop solutions for issues impacting crop agriculture, and work with colleagues at the Saskatoon Research and Development Centre (SRDC) and at other AAFC centres, as well as stakeholders from academia and industry.
The incumbent will be a part of a multidisciplinary team conducting research on alternative and environmentally-sound technologies to improve sustainability and resilience in crop agriculture in Canada, which includes research that develops and utilizes genomic tools and bioprocesses to protect crops from diseases and insects, to improve nutrient and water utilization, and to improve the resilience of crops to climate change. The successful candidate will also provide training and supervision to technical staff, post-doctoral researchers, students, obtain research funding through competitive processes and publish scientific papers.
Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada’s Research and Development Centre in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan is part of a world-class research organization in the areas of crop genomics, genetics and breeding, agronomy, and integrated pest management.
The immediate need is to staff one position on an indeterminate basis. 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
Your résumé.
Education:
An acceptable doctorate degree from a recognized post-secondary educational institution in a field of natural science with a specialization in microbiology, genetics, genomics, biochemistry or a relevant discipline related to the duties of the position.
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).
EXPERIENCE:
• Two or more years of post-Ph.D. research experience in a laboratory setting.
• Experience in the design and conduct of scientific research specifically as it relates to synthetic biology or relevant research, such as metabolite, protein, enzyme or pathway engineering.
• Experience in managing the activities of a laboratory, including supervision and training of staff (e.g., students, graduates, technicians).
• Experience in conducting both independent and collaborative research projects.
• Documented scientific productivity and recognition in the form of authorship of research results in recognized peer-reviewed journals in the areas of microbiology, genetics, genomics, biochemistry or a relevant discipline.
ASSET QUALIFICATION - EXPERIENCE:
• Experience in directed evolution to select metabolite/protein entities with desirable traits.
• Experience in research applied to non-culturable microorganisms (e.g. analysis of metagenomics data and pathway transfer).
• Experience in microbiological culture and fermentation.
• Experience writing grant applications for supporting scientific research.
• Experience working on a multi-disciplinary science team.
• Experience managing multi-year projects with associated human resource, budgetary, and planning functions.
• Experience interacting with industry and other stakeholders to aid in determining research direction and garner financial support.
English essential
Information on language requirements
KNOWLEDGE:
• Knowledge of bioinformatics and software related to mining of databases for biochemical pathways and metabolic/protein engineering.
• Knowledge of methods to design and engineer enzymes, molecules and/or metabolites for novel/additional functions.
• Knowledge of experimental design and data analysis.
COMPETENCIES:
• Oral Communication
• Written Communication
• Teamwork
• Adaptability
• Intellectual Leadership
ABILITY:
• Ability to make presentations of scientific data and its interpretation to varied audiences.
ORGANIZATIONAL NEEDS:
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
OPERATIONAL REQUIREMENTS :
• Ability and willingness to travel
• 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 challenging conditions (e.g., temperature extremes in the field).
Reliability Status security clearance
• Possession of a valid, class 5 Saskatchewan driver’s license, or other provincial or territorial equivalency or personal mobility to the extent normally associated with the possession of a valid driver’s license.
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 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.