Research Assistant - Livestock Carcass Merit & Market Competitiveness

Duties
As part of their duties, the successful candidate will be expected to identify food components using a range of testing and analytical methods, and to contribute to the development of analytical techniques for evaluating food properties. This includes supporting the development of laboratory standard operating procedures for research activities, as well as new techniques and methods related to food preservation and processing.The successful candidate will contribute to advancing the understanding of relationships among food production, processing, storage, and distribution, and their impact on food components, nutrition, physiology, quality, and safety. Additional responsibilities include contributing to the maintenance of food and other biological samples; enhancing knowledge of fundamental food properties; and developing analytical and evaluation techniques, including chemical, microbiological, biochemical, and sensory testing methods. The role also involves data analysis and the preparation of presentations, reports, and scientific publications.The successful candidate will be required to provide technical support, advice, and training within and outside the organization, and to design, fabricate, or maintain research equipment as needed. The successful candidate must maintain effective, respectful, and professional communication with members of their work group and other groups at the Centre, as well as with service and sales representatives and members of the public, as operational requirements dictate.

Intent of the process
A pool of qualified and partially qualified candidates may be established and may be used to staff similar positions with various employment tenures.

Positions to be filled
1

Important messages
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. We also have various employee diversity networks dedicated to ensuring that our department continues to grow as an inclusive employer.

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Conditions of Employment:
Reliability Status security clearance.
Possession of a valid class 5 Alberta license, or other provincial/territorial equivalency.
Ability and willingness to work overtime including evenings and weekends.
Ability and willingness to travel nationally and internationally as required for field studies, liaison with industry, and attendance at technical meetings.
Ability and willingness to work under challenging conditions (temperature extremes in abattoir and coolers, equipment noise and slippery floors in the processing areas, and malodorous conditions in the offal collection area).
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.
Ability and willingness to work flexible hours (and early hours), overtime and on weekends from time to time.
Ability and willingness to handle large animals.
Ability and willingness to work with hazardous materials.

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Education:
A secondary school diploma or acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience. At a later stage in the selection process, you will be required to provide documentation verifying your educational credentials.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:
Experience working in laboratory environment.
Experience in database software including but not limited to Excel or Access.
Experience in statistical analyses software including but not limited to R, XLStat, SAS or SPSS.

Knowledge:
Knowledge of agricultural animal anatomy and physiology.
Knowledge of methods used in biological data sets.
Knowledge of general laboratory practices and safety precautions.

Competencies:
Initiative
Interactive communication
Teamwork
Demonstrating Integrity and Respect
Concern for safety

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Applied / assessed at a later date

English essential - You are entitled to participate in the selection process in the official language of your choice.

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Experience:
Experience working in an agricultural research environment.
Experience with subjective and objective assessment of carcass and meat quality.
Experience in carcass cut-out specifications in multiple species.
Experience working with carcass grading or carcass classification systems.

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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.

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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.

Learn more about preference to veterans.

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