Research Biologist

Employment and Social Development Canada; Lethbridge; On-site; CAD 74,000 - 101,000; Full time

Job summary

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada - Science and Technology Branch in Lethbridge, Alberta, is seeking candidates for BI-02 level. The role offers a salary of $74,292 to $101,162 and a closing date of August 25, 2026.

Education must be a Master’s or PhD in a biological science, with experience in phenotypic trait characterization and genomics data analysis. Applicants should have knowledge in plant breeding and genetics, molecular genetics, and lab safety procedures.

Qualifications

• Education: MSc or PhD in a biological science (Plant Sciences, Plant Breeding and Genetics or related field).
• Experience in phenotypic characterization of plant traits in greenhouse or field environments.
• Experience using statistical software such as SAS or R for analyzing large genomics datasets.
• Experience carrying out research studies, including planning, conducting experiments, analyzing results, and preparing manuscripts.

Skills

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Teamwork

Education

MSc or PhD in Biological Science

Tools

SAS

R

Genomics lab techniques

Job description

Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada- Science and Technology Branch

Closing date:August 25, 2026 - 23:59, Pacific Time

Selection process number
26-AGR-BCAB-EA-STB-68885

Location
Lethbridge(Alberta)

Salary
$74,292 to $101,162

Level
BI-02

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

Intent of the process
A pool of qualified and partially qualified candidates may be established and may be used to staff similar positions with various employment tenures.In the event that an employee of the public service is qualified through this process, and there is a temporary need, they may be considered for acting, deployment, assignment or secondment opportunities.

Positions to be filled
1

Important messages
As one of Canada's Best Diversity Employers, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC) is proud to celebrate our achievement in creating a diverse, respectful, and positive workplace where all employees are valued and recognized for their unique qualities, ideas, voices and perspectives. We are dedicated to building and promoting a diverse, equitable and inclusive workforce, representative of all Canadians regardless of race, ethnicity, colour, religion, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, socio-economic background or lived experience. By embracing diversity and inclusion, our department ensures broader discussions, better decisions, and a more positive workplace. We also have various employee diversity networks dedicated to ensuring that our department continues to grow as an inclusive employer.

Conditions of employment

Conditions of Employment:

• Security : Reliability
• Possession of or ability to possess a valid, class 5 Alberta driver’s license, or other provincial/territorial equivalency.
• Ability and willingness to work flexible hours.
• Known allergies must be controlled through the use of personal protective equipment and/or medication and must not impede the duties to be performed with appropriate safety precautions in place.
• Ability and willingness to work in laboratory, greenhouse and field environments;
• Ability and willingness to work with hazardous materials;

You need (essential for the job)

Applied / assessed at a later date

Education:

• Graduation with an M.Sc. or Ph.D. degree from a recognized post-secondary institution with specialization in a biological science (Plant Sciences, Plant Breeding and Genetics or related field of study). At a later stage in the selection process, you will be required to provide documentation verifying your educational credentials.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:

• Experience in the phenotypic characterization of plant traits in a greenhouse or field environment.
• Experience using statistical software such as SAS or R for analyzing large genomics datasets.
• Experience working in a molecular genetics laboratory.
• Experience carrying out research studies, including planning, conducting experiments, analyzing results, and preparing manuscripts.

Knowledge:

• Knowledge of plant breeding and genetics and relevant principles and techniques.
• Knowledge of molecular genetics and laboratory safety procedures.
• Knowledge of statistical methods.

Language requirements (essential for the job)

Applied / assessed at a later date

English essential - 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:

• Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience working in perennial forage systems.
• Experience using genetic and genomic approaches to study crop productivity traits.

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.