Research Assistant - Entomology

Duties

-Assist in the development, adaptation, and implementation of protocols to collect research data on insect pest impact and management in field and controlled conditions
-identify insect pests of field crops and their natural enemies
-rear insects in laboratory and field cages
-adapt lab and field equipment and protocols as required to meet research needs
-assist with the planning and execution of surveys for invasive insect pests and their natural enemies
-summarize data and assist with preparation of reports, extension materials, presentations, and research articles
-assist with staffing of students, train students, and coordinate their work
-procure and manage laboratory and field supplies

Work environment

The Saskatoon Research and Development Centre is one of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's network of 20 research centres. The Centre, located in the heart of the Prairies in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, conducts research on prairie crops to support the agri-food industry in Western Canada. It is located on the campus of the University of Saskatchewan. The centre manages three field sites: Melfort Research Farm, Scott Research Farm and Outlook Canada-Saskatchewan Irrigation Diversification Centre (CSIDC).
This centre emphasizes collaboration between several private and public research organizations which operate from the Agricultural Innovation Centre. The Centre develops integrated crop management strategies for sustainable cropping systems on the Canadian Prairies. In response to an emerging priority, it also focuses on leading research to develop sustainable management of clubroot on canola.
It is the home of the Plant Gene Resources of Canada, an important international repository of crops.
Leading research focuses on the following five initiatives with a supporting role in agronomy and northern agriculture:
• Integrated crop management for sustainable cropping systems on the Canadian Prairies
• Sustainable management of clubroot on canola
• Integrated strategies for genetic improvement of oilseed, legume, and forage crops
• Genetic resource conservation, characterization and utilization
• Bioproducts and bioresources

Intent of the process

A pool of qualified candidates may be established and may be used for similar indeterminate or specified period employment and various locations.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

Contact information for 2 references.

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)

Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in one of the following fields:
-Entomology
-Natural Resources
-Biology
-Ecology
-Or a related agricultural field
OR an acceptable combination of education, training, and/or experience.

Degree equivalency

Experience providing technical support related to insect-plant interaction research in field and laboratory environments.
Experience collecting and processing insect samples.
Experience implementing, developing, or adapting protocols related to insect sampling, insect population surveys, or insect rearing.

Experience preparing extension/media reports.

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

Experience operating farm equipment (e.g. seeding, harvesting equipment or other equipment on research farms).

Experience conducting field crop entomology research.

Experience conducting insect surveys.

Experience using a binomial key to identify insects.

Experience operating specialized computer software or programs applicable to field crop entomology (e.g. SAS, SPSS, Climex, Dymex, R).

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of the theory and practice of integrated pest management.

Knowledge of methods and equipment used to sample, survey, or assess insect populations.

Knowledge of methods used to assess plants for insect damage.

Knowledge of insect pests affecting field crops in the Prairie Region.

Planning and Organizing
Problem Solving
Initiative
Teamwork
Concern for Safety
Adaptability
Interactive Communication

Ability to use scientific instruments and tools for implementation of scientific techniques and methodologies.

Ability to make observations, collect, and record data accurately and interpret or analyze results.

Ability to summarize results in writing, in tables, or in graphs to contribute to the preparation of draft reports, posters, or presentations.

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

Knowledge of methods used to prepare and preserve insects for identification.

Selection may be limited to members of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women

Information on employment equity

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Valid driver’s licence

Ability and willingness to travel

Ability and willingness to work flexible hours

Ability and willingness to work overtime, including evenings and weekends

Ability and willingness to work in a laboratory, greenhouse, field, and/or insect rearing facilities for extended periods

Willing to work outdoors under various environmental and weather conditions

Ability and willingness to, with proper safety precautions in place, work with chemicals and pesticides

Ability and willingness to control known allergies, through the use of personal protective equipment and/or medication, such that duties to be performed are not impinged upon

Other information

Applications submitted by email will not be accepted. You must apply on-line through www.jobs.gc.ca.

Persons with disabilities preventing them from applying on-line are asked to contact 1-800-645-5605.

Receipt of applications will not be sent; only candidates successful in the screening process will be contacted.

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 email from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email).

All communication relating to this process, including email correspondence, may be used in the assessment of qualifications.

Appointment decisions may be based on one or more of the following criteria:
- Matching of the individual's experience or qualifications to the strengths and weaknesses of the work team.
- Matching of the individual's experience or qualifications to the specific duties of the position being staffed.
- Depth, breadth, type of work-specific experience.
- Level/degree of one or more competencies/qualifications.

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.

Contact information