Research Assistant - Natural Resources

Duties

. Conducting laboratory, greenhouse and field experiments.
. Maintaining and performing rudimentary repairs of ion chromatograph, gas chromatograph, atomic absorption spectroscopy and other laboratory equipment.
. Adapting protocols for various analyses to address new research questions.
. Preparing and analyzing soil, plant, manure/compost, and air samples, in support of ongoing research projects.
. Managing all analyses, including operate various instruments, scheduling instrument use, maintaining analytical data archives, ensuring quality control.
. Participating in design and implementation of experiments by advising on effective use of all equipment and assisting in the interpretation of analytical data.

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)

-Bachelor of Science degree with specialization in analytical chemistry or engineering or other acceptable area of specialization from a recognized institution.

Degree equivalency

-Experience in planning and managing research projects in a research or laboratory environment.
-Experience in operating, maintaining and calibrating basic and complexes lab instruments (e.g. Gas Chromotography (GC), liquid Chromatography (LC), atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS), auto-analyzer (AA), and other relevant equipment for wet chemical analyses).
-Experience in modifying analytical protocols to accommodate a wide range of agricultural and environmental samples.
-Experience in designing experiments, developing project plans and developing methodologies.

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

-M. Sc. Degree from a recognized university in one of the following fields: Soil science, Chemistry or Chemical Engineering.

Degree equivalency

-Experience with hardware and software related to gas and liquid chromatography.
-Experience maintaining complex instruments, in diagnosing malfunctions and performing rudimentary repairs.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

-Knowledge of theory and maintenance of analytical instrumentation.
-Knowledge of the principles of analytical quality control and assurance.
-Knowledge of analytical chemistry and physical chemistry.

-Interactive communication
-Adaptability
-Initiative
-Teamwork
-Dependability

-Ability to make observations, collect and record data accurately and interpret and analyze results.
-Ability to write reports and posters and to assist in drafting scientific papers.

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

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 workforce adjustment.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

-Valid driver's licence.
-Ability and willingness to work overtime.
-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.
-With appropriate safety precautions in place, able and willing to work in laboratory, greenhouse, field and/or animal rearing facility environments for extended periods at a time; able and willing to work outdoors under various weather conditions and under normal safety precautions able and willing to work with hazardous materials.

Other information

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

. 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