Physical Scientist | Agroecosystem Modeling

Employment and Social Development Canada; Sherbrooke; On-site; CAD 84,000 - 101,000; Full time

Job summary

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada in Sherbrooke is seeking a Physical Scientist to advance agroecosystem modeling. You will collect datasets, develop and validate models, and analyze simulation outputs for dissemination in scientific venues.

The role emphasizes R programming, data handling, and collaboration within a multidisciplinary team at the Sherbrooke RDC. On-site work is required in Sherbrooke, Quebec.

Qualifications

• Degree in agronomy, environmental sciences, or related field.
• Experience in agroecosystem or environmental modeling.
• Experience in R programming for agroecosystems.
• Experience in database management and data processing.

Responsibilities

• Collect datasets for simulation models (climatic, soil, agronomic).
• Develop, calibrate, and validate agroecosystem models.
• Analyze results and contribute to publications/presentations; may modify programs or scripts in R/Fortran.

Skills

Agroecosystem modeling

R programming

Data analysis

Education

Degree in agronomy/environmental sciences

Tools

Excel

Access

Job description

Physical Scientist | Agroecosystem Modeling

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada- Science and Technology Branch

Selection process number
26-AGR-QC-EA-STB-68408

Salary
$84,382 to $101,162

Level
PC-02

Who can apply
Persons residing in Canada, and Canadian citizens and Permanent residents abroad.

Duties
The research program contributes to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada's Science Strategic Plan priorities of \" mitigating and adapting to climate change,\" \" increasing the resiliency of agroecosystems,\" and \" accelerating the digital transformation of the agriculture and agri-food sector\" by developing and applying models that represent the functioning of agroecosystems, including the water, nitrogen, and carbon cycles.The work involves:1. Collecting and preparing datasets for use in simulation models. This includes processing climatic, soil, and agronomic data.
2. Developing, calibrating, and validating agroecosystem simulation models.
3. Analyzing simulation results and contributing to the preparation of scientific publications and presentations to disseminate research findings.These duties may require programming or modifying programs or scripts using the R and/or Fortran programming languages.

Work environment
The Sherbrooke Research and Development Centre (RDC) was established in 1914. It is the only Agriculture and Agri Food Canada (AAFC) research centre specializing in innovative research primarily focused on Canada’s dairy and swine industries. Sherbrooke’s RDC Centre directs its research toward animal production with a net zero environmental footprint; animal health, welfare, and the social acceptability of agricultural practices; and sustainable dairy and swine production.The research centre employs a team of more than one hundred people, including professionals, technicians, and animal care staff, who work closely with about twenty researchers to carry out research projects.

Intent of the process
The immediate needs is to fill one (1) indeterminate PC-02 position at the Sherbrooke Research and Development Centre (QRDC).Please note that this position requires on-site presence in Sherbrooke, Québec.A pool of qualified candidates may be established and could also be used to staff similar positions with various tenures and/or security requirements within Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Positions to be filled
1

Important messages

Why work at Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada?

• Work-life balance
• Employee benefits
• Supplementary medical and dental insurance, paid vacation and statutory holidays
• Pension plan
• Opportunity to develop and apply for internal positions throughout the public service

Conditions of employment

• Reliability Status security clearance
• Possession of a valid Quebec Class 5 driver's license, or other Provincial/territorial equivalency.
• Willingness and ability to control allergies with personal protective equipment or medications; This shall not prevent the incumbent from carrying out his or her duties.
• Willingness and ability to work in a variety of environments, weather conditions.

You need (essential for the job)

Your application must clearly explain how you meet the following

Education:
EDU. Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution, with an acceptable specialization in agronomy, environmental sciences, bioinformatics, or another science related to the position.Note:
The courses for the specialization must be acceptable and must have been taken at a recognized post-secondary institution, but not necessarily within a degree program in the required specialization.The term “degree” refers to a baccalaureate as established by educational authorities.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:
E1. Experience in agroecosystem or environmental modeling.
E2. Experience in programming with the R language applied to agroecosystems modelling or bioinformatics.
E3. Experience in database management (e. g. Excel, Access) and data processing related to agroecosystems modelling or bioinformatics.

Applied / assessed at a later date

Knowledge:
K1. Knowledge of the main components of the nitrogen and carbon cycles in agroecosystems.

Competencies:
C1. Teamwork
C2. Initiative
C3. Planning and Organizing

Language requirements (essential for the job)

Applied / assessed at a later date

Bilingual - Imperative(BBB/BBB) - You are entitled to participate in the selection process in the official language of your choice.

May be applied / assessed at a later date

Experience:
AE1. Experience in the use of STICS (Scientific, Technical and Interdisciplinary simulator of soil-Crop System functioning) or IFSM (Integrated Farm System Model) models.

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

Our commitment

We're 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 contact the hiring organization below to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the population it serves. We promote employment equity and encourage you to self-declare if you belong to one of the designated employment equity groups when you apply.

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.

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.

We'd like to thank all those who apply. However, only the people selected for further consideration will be contacted.