Research Scientist - Soil & Nutrient Management

Duties

On behalf of the Government of Canada, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) provides leadership in the growth and development of a competitive, innovative and sustainable Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector. Within this context, the Pacific Agri-Food Food Research Centre-Summerland (PARC-Summerland) invites applications for a Research Scientist position with a specialization in soil and nutrient management. The Centre, located in Summerland BC (Okanagan Region), conducts world class research in the area of sustainable production of high-value horticultural crops. The Soil & Nutrient Management Scientist will be expected to develop a research program on C flux and nutrient cycling processes in the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum with emphasis on root-zone management for woody perennials and interaction with major abiotic stresses (temperature, water, nutrients). Expected outcomes of the incumbent's research will be new knowledge on soil and nutrient management that will enable the development of innovative horticultural crop production practices and technologies while minimizing their environmental footprint.

The incumbent will be part of a multidisciplinary team of scientists at PARC working on soil biology, water management and climate change, biotic stressors (pests, diseases, human pathogens) and horticultural plant-based science including crop-specific management, genetic enhancement and value-added products. The incumbent will have access to state-of the-art laboratories and research field sites and will have the opportunity to collaborate with stakeholders in academia and industry. Research Scientists have access to competitive core and external funding opportunities, and are supported by technical and administrative staff. Research Scientists are encouraged to seek university affiliation and co-supervise graduate students.

Intent of the process

A pool of qualified candidates may be established and may be used for similar permanent and temporary employment for the location indicated for this process.

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 an acceptable Doctoral degree from a recognized university in the field of soil science or other relevant discipline.

IMPORTANT: Proof of education will be required. Please review the 'Degree equivalency' link below for important details.

Degree equivalency

Experience in the design and conduct of scientific research specifically as it relates to soil science or other relevant discipline.
Experience in chemical analyses of soil, plant, and water samples.

Documented scientific productivity/recognition in the form of authorship/editorship of research results in the area of soils and nutrient cycling or other relevant discipline, in recognized journals and/or published reports, books, papers, or other communications resulting from scientific research.

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

Experience writing grant applications.
Experience interacting with industry and other stakeholders to garner support and research direction.
Experience working on a multi-disciplinary team.
Experience managing multi-year projects with associated human resource, budgetary, and planning functions.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge of soil science.
Knowledge of soil plant interactions of woody perennial plants including tree fruits and grapes.
Knowledge of root zone management of woody perennial plants.
Knowledge of major abiotic stresses and C and N-processes in the soil-plant-atmosphere continuum.

Adaptability
Initiative
Interactive Communication
Teamwork

Ability to present scientific information.

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

Team Leadership

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

Information on employment equity

Placement of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) employees affected by work force adjustment.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Valid driver's license.
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.

Other information

The classification level and rate of pay on appointment is commensurate with the successful candidate's qualifications.

Salary ranges:
SE-RES-01 - $53,161 - $69,942
SE-RES-02 - $66,010 - $98,880
SE-RES-03 - $83,421 - $109,760
SE-RES-04 - $99,904 - $121,834
SE-RES-05 - $109,390 - $133,410

Applications will be accepted on-line only. Please click on the button "Apply NOW" below.

Persons with a disability preventing them from applying on-line should contact the department through the contact provided below.

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