Bioinformatician / Computational Biologist (Inventory) - AMENDMENT

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

*Please note that this selection process is to staff SR-02 and SR-03 group and level positions only within the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA). In order to modernize how scientific work at the CFIA is described, the Agency created a new classification group called Regulatory Science (SR). The SR Group replaces the BI, CH and AG classification groups that were previously used at the Agency. We have included the BI classification in this poster to ensure that candidates subscribed to the PSRS job alert function for this group will receive the notification of this job opportunity.

*Please be advised that CFIA has suspended it’s Policy on COVID-19 Vaccination. Accordingly, this poster has been amended to remove references to MANDATORY COVID-19 VACCINATION in the Important messages and Conditions of employment sections.

When you apply to this selection process, you are not applying for a specific job, but to an inventory for future vacancies. As positions become available, applicants who meet the qualifications may be contacted for further assessment.

The sooner you submit your application into the inventory, the sooner you may be referred for opportunities. A first review of applications will take place 10 days following the publication of the announcement.

We will only accept applications received through the GC Jobs website, therefore you must submit your application by clicking on “Apply online” in this advertisement. Persons who are unable to apply online must use the “Contact information” below, prior to the closing date, to request specialized accommodation.

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA) is a separate employer and is not subject to the Public Service Employment Act.

CITIZENSHIP INFORMATION
The CFIA considers applications from individuals who have legal status to work in Canada and does not give preference to Canadian citizens.

In your application, please identify the legal status which entitles you to work in Canada - Canadian citizenship, permanent resident status or work permit. You will be asked to show proof of this status in order to complete the security screening required for employment. Failure to provide this information will eliminate your application from further consideration.

Individuals without Canadian citizenship, permanent resident status or an open or CFIA-specific work permit will only be considered if all other applicants with legal status to work in Canada are determined to be not qualified.

Duties

The incumbent shall provide technical support to CFIA research and development teams. He/she will contribute to the development, refinement and improvement of bioinformatics applications. He/she will be required to interpret and assess work assignments by consulting with internal/external clients and with Scientists/Biologists and bioinformatics experts. He/she will be participating on project teams and working groups conducting research and data analysis.

Work environment

We offer a bilingual, science-based environment, with excellent benefits, flexible hours, opportunities for advancement, an emphasis on learning and development, and a high level of employee satisfaction. Join a workforce that’s as diverse as the people it serves. You can find some more great reasons to join us on our website: http://www.inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/cfia-jobs/top-10-reasons-to-join-us/eng/1299859095075/1299859142835

Intent of the process

The intent is to have an inventory of candidates to draw from when vacancies arise for current and future needs of the CFIA in various laboratories across Canada. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis as long as the poster is active.

Employees must be present in the laboratory; remote work is not generally a possibility, although there may be exceptions.

As we anticipate a large number of applications, we may be applying volume management strategies throughout the selection process such as, but not limited to, top-down approach, cut-off scores and/or random selection.

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

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.

ESSENTIAL EDUCATION

Graduation with a bachelor’s degree in science (BSc) from a recognized university with a specialisation in biology, biochemistry, genomics, bioinformatics, computational biology, computer science or another specialization relevant to the position being staffed. Preference may be given to candidates with a master’s (MSc) or doctorate (PhD) degree.

Applicants submitting education credentials from a non-Canadian institution are responsible for obtaining certification that these credentials are the equivalent of the Canadian education level required for the position.

Please refer to the link below for more information.

Degree equivalency

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE

EE1: Experience analyzing or interpreting biological or genomic datasets, summarizing results and forming conclusions.

EE2: Experience conducting or interpreting evolutionary genetics, phylogenetics, population genetics, or molecular evolution studies.

EE3: Experience developing or using software for genomics or metagenomics analysis.

EE4: Experience developing technical documents.

EE5: Experience using Linux/Unix operating system(s).

Experience will be evaluated against the depth and breadth of activities, the level of responsibilities, and the complexity and diversity of these activities.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

ESSENTIAL KNOWLEDGE

EK1: Knowledge of theories, principles, and computational methods used in molecular biology and genomics analyses.
EK2: Knowledge of whole-genome, metagenome, and metabarcoding sequencing concepts and principles.

ESSENTIAL COMPETENCIES

EC1: Oral Communication
EC2: Written Communication
EC3: Teamwork
EC4: Effective interpersonal relationships
EC5: Initiative

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

ASSET EDUCATION

A master’s degree (MSc) or doctorate degree (PhD) in science from a recognized university with a specialisation in biology, biochemistry, genomics, bioinformatics, computational biology, computer science or another specialization relevant to the position being staffed.

Degree equivalency

ASSET EXPERIENCE

AE1: Experience in programming using object-oriented languages (e.g., Python, Perl, Java).

AE2: Experience developing or using web-based applications, semantic web technologies or ontologies (e.g. HTML, CSS3, Kubernetes, Docker).

AE3: Experience developing or using applications based on relational database platforms (e.g., MySQL, Postgres, Oracle, Graph).

AE4: Experience with cloud computing (e.g. Azure or AWS).

AE5: Experience using R for data mining, visualization and statistical analysis.

AE6: Experience using machine learning models for data analyses.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance - Secret clearance may be required for some positions. Applicants who have not lived in Canada for the past five (or ten, depending on security level) years may be required to submit a police certificate from each country in which they have lived for six months or more during this period, as well as other documentation required for the security screening process. Failure to submit this documentation if requested will eliminate the application from further consideration.

The following conditions of employment are required for an appointment from the inventory:
• Adherence to the CFIA Code of Conduct.
• Adherence to the CFIA Conflict of Interest and Post-Employment Policy.
• Compliance with the Values and Ethics Code for the Public Sector.
• Legal status to accept employment for the entire period of employment.

Any other conditions of employment specific to the position being staffed may be required for an appointment from the inventory.

Other information

The Canadian Food Inspection Agency 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.

Personal information is obtained for the purpose of determining an individual’s competence and suitability for employment. If a staffing complaint questions this determination, please be advised that relevant personal information you will provide in the course of this staffing process may be disclosed to substantiate the staffing decision.

Please ensure that you read ALL points listed below, as this section contains important information about the application process.

Acknowledgement of receipt of applications will not be sent; only those referred for consideration for an appointment will be contacted.

Your resume will be used as a primary source of information if/when referred for an opportunity. It is your responsibility to include relevant and sufficient details regarding your education, work history/experience, your skills and area of expertise.

Your application will be active in this inventory process for 180 days. 180 days after you have submitted your application, you must re-submit an application if you wish to remain active in the inventory. Expired applications will not be referred to managers for consideration.

You will receive an expiry warning in your applicant profile 150 days following your last submitted application. Meaning that once the warning is received, you will have 30 days remaining to refresh your application. If you do not renew your application, the notice will change to inform you that your application has expired and you will no longer be considered in any new searches. However, you can re-submit an application at any time while the process is still open.

You are entitled to participate in the staffing process in the official language of your choice.

Applicants who are considered for an opportunity will be sent further information by email regarding what to expect during subsequent phases of this staffing process. You must ensure that you check your email account including spam, promotion or other folders regularly as there may be a deadline for responses. If you respond past the deadline you risk being removed from the staffing process.

Various assessment tools may be used in this staffing process such as: standardized tests, reference checks, written tests, an interview, etc.

During the application or assessment process both cheating and plagiarism are considered forms of misconduct and are not permitted. Any person found cheating, including those who help others to cheat, may be subject to removal from the staffing process.

You will be asked to provide proof of your education credentials later in the staffing process.

All written and verbal communication obtained throughout the staffing process, from the time of application to close of process, may be used to evaluate the candidate.

For more information on how to apply to a CFIA staffing process, please visit: https://inspection.gc.ca/about-the-cfia/job-opportunities/how-to-apply/eng/1340676915348/1340679107182.

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Contact information

Apply online