##Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada - Science and Technology Branch

###Closing date: April 10, 2026 - 23:59, Pacific Time

Reference number AGR26J-086395-000641

Selection process number 26-AGR-MBSK-EA-STB-66451

Location Swift Current (Saskatchewan)

Employment tenure Permanent Full-Time

Salary $68,264 to $176,445 - The classification level and salary will be determined by the qualifications of the candidate.

Level SE-RES-01, SE-RES-02, SE-RES-03, SE-RES-04, SE-RES-05

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

Organization information For further information on the organization, please visit Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

##On this page

About the position

Conditions of employment

Operational Requirements

You need (essential for the job)

Language requirements (essential for the job)

You may need (asset qualifications)

Our commitment

Equity, diversity and inclusion

Preference

How to

Additional links

Hiring organization contact

##About the position

Duties The position will provide leadership in the growth and development of a competitive, innovative and sustainable Canadian agriculture and agri-food sector. The successful candidate will lead research in the area of genetic enhancement of hexaploid wheat to improve the response to abiotic stresses (particularly drought and heat) and biotic stresses (diseases and insects) which will be reflected in improved grain and protein yield. The research will endeavor to enhance end-use suitability, and traits related to production and resistance to disease stresses. The successful candidate will knowledge of genetics, genomics, plant breeding, biotechnology, pathology, and statistical analysis to the development of new varieties and germplasm for sustainable wheat production systems. This position will work with industry, government and other stakeholders to maintain relevant direction of the germplasm enhancement and breeding program. Working on a multi-disciplinary team to understand pertinent alleles controlling responses to abiotic and biotic stresses, the successful candidate will develop effective selection strategies to transfer traits into adapted genetic backgrounds. There will be a requirement to contribute to the development of molecular markers and marker platforms, and to the study of plant responses to trait recombination using cutting-edge genotyping and phenotyping techniques. In addition to demonstrating a strong capability to lead plant field husbandry, the successful candidate will demonstrate an understanding of the application and use of molecular, biochemical, physiological, genetic, and genomic tools and protocols common to wheat biology.

Intent of the process The immediate need is to staff one position on an indeterminate basis.A pool of qualified and/or partially qualified candidates may be established and used to fill similar positions on a temporary or permanent basis.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

Reliability Status security clearance

Learn more about security screening process.

• Possession of a valid class 5 Saskatchewan driver’s license or other provincial or territorial equivalency or personal mobility to the extent normally associated with the possession of a valid driver’s license.

##Operational Requirements

• Ability and willingness to travel regionally, nationally and internationally as required for field studies, liaison with industry and academia, and attendance at scientific or technical meetings.
• Ability and willingness to work flexible hours including evenings and weekends, sometimes on short notice or without notice.
• Ability and willingness to control allergies through the use of personal protective equipment and/or medication without impinging on the duties to be performed.
• Ability and willingness to work under challenging conditions (e.g., temperature extremes in the field).

##You need (essential for the job)

Your application must clearly explain how you meet the following

• Graduation with an acceptable doctoral degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in a field of the natural sciences with a specialization in Plant Breeding, Genetics, or other relevant discipline, or the employer-approved alternative for the SE classification.

Applications from persons enrolled in a doctoral program but who have yet to complete it will be considered. However, the thesis must have been defended and the doctoral degree awarded before appointment.NOTE: The employer-approved alternative for the SE classification is an acceptable master’s or bachelor’s degree coupled with acceptable research, training and experience. The degree must be from a recognized post-secondary institution and in scientific fields and specialties related to the duties of the position. The training and experience must clearly demonstrate the ability to lead and conduct scientific research of doctoral degree calibre.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).

Learn more about degree equivalency.

• Experience in the design and conduct of scientific research specifically as it relates to plant breeding and genetics or other relevant disciplines.
• Experience in genetics and genomic approaches to the study of genes that control traits influencing crop productivity, particularly abiotic and biotic stresses.
• Experience managing large-scale datasets.
• Documented scientific productivity/recognition in the form of authorship/editorship of research results in the area of plant breeding, genetics, biotechnology or other relevant discipline, in recognized journals and/or published reports, books, papers, or other communications resulting from scientific research.

Applied / assessed at a later date

• Knowledge of conventional and molecular plant breeding used to perform wheat genetic enhancement including field operations relating to plant research.
• Knowledge of biotic and abiotic stresses that affect wheat production and mechanisms for their control.
• Knowledge of wheat cereal chemistry and grain quality.
• Adaptability
• Teamwork
• Written Communication
• Oral Communication
• Effective Interpersonal Skills
• Ability to present scientific information to various audiences.

##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.

Learn more about language requirements.

##You may need (asset qualifications)

May be applied / assessed at a later date

• Post PhD experience in wheat breeding or a discipline related to wheat genetic enhancement.
• Experience in the application of molecular markers for genetic analysis of wheat.
• Experience writing grant applications.
• Experience interacting with the wheat industry in Canada in relation to the production and marketing environment, research needs, and the registration and commercialization process for new wheat cultivars.
• Experience working on a multi-disciplinary team.
• Experience managing multi-year projects with associated human resource, budgetary, and planning functions.
• Knowledge of varietal registration and plant breeder rights protection in Canada.

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.

Learn more about assessment accommodation.

##Equity, diversity and inclusion

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 .

Learn more about diversity and inclusion in the public service.

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 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.

Learn more about employment equity.

##Preference

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.

Learn more about preference to veterans.

##How to

Learn more about ing for Government of Canada jobs.

Information you must provide

• Your résumé

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

##Additional links

Discover the interesting work we do at Agriculture & Agri-Food Canada Videos

##Hiring organization contact

**Name:**Caroline Boehme - Human Resources Advisor
**Email address:**caroline.boehme@agr.gc.ca