Research Assistant - Doubled haploid production

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.

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.In the event that an employee of the public service is qualified through this process, they may be considered for acting, deployment, indeterminate, assignment or secondment opportunities.

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:
Security clearance : Reliability 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.

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Education:
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 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.

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

Competencies:
Adaptability
Concern for Safety
Interactive Communication
Teamwork

Abilities:
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.

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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 with aseptic techniques.
Experience working in tissue culture.

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

Supporting employment continuity by prioritizing AAFC employees impacted by workforce adjustment for job opportunities.

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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, followed by Canadian citizens and permanent residents, with the exception of jobs located in Nunavut or Yukon. For positions located in Nunavut, qualified Inuit enrolled under the Nunavut Agreement will be appointed first. For positions located in Yukon, qualified Yukon First Nations will be appointed first, followed by qualified Indigenous persons.

Learn more about preference to veterans.

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