Operations Technologist

he Sylvia Fedoruk Canadian Centre for Nuclear Innovation Inc. (Fedoruk Centre) is inviting applications for two Operations Technologists to support the manufacture of radiopharmaceuticals at the Saskatchewan Cyclotron Facility (Facility).

The Fedoruk Centre was established in 2011 under the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, with an independent Board of Directors and a sole Member, the University of Saskatchewan (U Sask).   The purpose of the Fedoruk Centre is to help place Saskatchewan among global leaders of nuclear research, development and training through investment in partnerships with academia and industry.  The Facility is owned by U Sask and operated by the Fedoruk Centre.  It is licensed by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) as a Class II Nuclear Facility.  The Facility encompasses a high-current ACSI TR24 cyclotron; cGMP-level radiopharmaceutical laboratories including hot cells, auto-synthesis units and a quality control system (HPLC, GC, TLC);  a suite of shielded work areas with radiochemistry equipment; two small-animal PET-CT scanners for preclinical research; and a suite of tools for nuclear imaging of living plants.  Besides serving as a resource for academic and industrial researchers, the Facility supplies fludeoxyglucose (FDG) for PET-CT scanning in regional hospitals.   Radiopharmaceuticals are manufactured in compliance with regulations of the CNSC and Health Canada.  

The salary range for an Operations Technologist position is $50,000 – 90,153 per annum. Placement within the range is dependent upon education and experience. These are full time continuing positions with an anticipated start date in April 2023. These positions are not within any collective bargaining unit. The Fedoruk Centre corporate values can be found at https://fedorukcentre.ca/who-we-are/brand-values.php

How to Apply
See the attached Job Profile for detailed qualifications and job description. Please submit a covering letter and resume in PDF format by email to niki.schrie@fedorukcentre.ca, with Subject Line:  Operations Technologist; [your name].  Applicants must submit either a copy of their valid Canadian work permit or proof of citizenship/permanent residency status.

These positions will be posted until filled.  Screening will begin on/about March 17, 2023.  While the Fedoruk Centre thanks all applicants for their interest, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.   

Inquiries regarding these positions may be directed to: 
Niki Schrie, Human Resources & Operations Manager
Email:  niki.schrie@fedorukcentre.ca

Job Profile:  Operations Technologist, Full-Time Position(s)
PRIMARY PURPOSE:  Reporting to the Technical Operations Manager, the Operations Technologist will support equipment at the Saskatchewan Cyclotron Facility.  

NATURE OF WORK:  Reporting to the Technical Operations Manager of the Saskatchewan Cyclotron Facility, the Operations Technologist will be part of a team supporting specialized equipment used in the production and investigation of radiochemicals and radiopharmaceuticals.  The primary work environment is a laboratory environment, which is clean, orderly, properly lighted, and ventilated.  There is some exposure to ionizing radiation in a laboratory that is operated under well-controlled and closely monitored conditions, highly regulated by provincial, federal, and internal quality and regulatory professionals.   Each staff member receives specific training in keeping with regulatory guidelines and is monitored for radiation exposure.  Noise levels are considered low to moderate.  

These positions require rotational early morning shifts and may occasionally require night shifts and weekend shifts.  

ACCOUNTABILITIES: 

• Operate and perform general maintenance and repairs of the cyclotron and ancillary equipment.
• Coordinate third party services, calibrate, perform maintenance, and repairs of lab equipment and analytical instruments.
• Use manufacturers’ manuals and internal documents to complete troubleshooting on malfunctioning equipment.
• Maintain spare parts and process components inventory.
• Train and assist researchers, students and staff on the operation of all on-site equipment.
• Assist in procurement, installation and qualification of equipment, including the preparation of equipment procedures and preventative maintenance schedules.
• Follow standard operating procedures and maintain complete records of qualification, maintenance, repair and calibrations in compliance with CNSC and GMP regulations when applicable.
• Adhere to and support GMP compliance policies and procedures.
• Other related duties that support the core activities and mission of the Fedoruk Centre.

QUALIFICATIONS: 
Education: A recognized college diploma in instrumentation, mechanical engineering, or related field or a recognized undergraduate degree or equivalent in chemistry, physics, engineering or related field.

Experience:

• A minimum of 3 years of relevant technical experience, preferably in a laboratory or small-scale industrial setting.
• Experience with radiation safety, working under regulation, quality testing and/or research is considered an asset.

• Technical Skills: 
  1. Knowledge of and skills in applying a wide range of troubleshooting techniques.
  2. Basic understanding of controls, vacuum and fluid transfer systems are all considered assets.
• Behavioural Competency Skills:

1. Communication – Openly communicating in a compelling, honest, persuasive and articulate manner, ensuring the message is clear, understood and consistent with objectives.
2. Client Focus – Bringing excellence to internal or external clients by focusing efforts on discovering and meeting their needs.
3. Conceptual & Analytical Ability – Understanding, analyzing, synthesizing and relating complex information and abstract variables; drawing logical conclusions and/or providing reasonable and creative alternatives.
4. Initiative – Anticipating and dealing with problems and issues in a persistent manner, seizing opportunities that arise and going beyond what is expected.
5. Results Orientation – Focusing efforts on achieving quality results consistent with the Fedoruk Centre vision.
6. Self-Knowing & Self Development – Assessing strengths and weaknesses, and engaging in ongoing self-development and improvement, maintaining effectiveness in the face of change or ambiguity.
7. Teamwork – Demonstrating effective interpersonal skills and working cooperatively and effectively within and across organizational units to achieve common goals.
8. Valuing People – Treating people fairly, with dignity and integrity, to promote a culture of commitment and productivity.

• Health requirement: 
  1. Physical ability to lift 23 kilograms.
  2. Any offer of employment will be conditional on the results of a medical assessment and/or vision examination to the extent permissible under employment law (The Saskatchewan Employment Act, S‐15.1, 2013, as amended).

Department: Sylvia Fedoruk Canadian Centre for Nuclear Innovation Inc. 
Status: Term
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0
Salary: The salary range, based on 1.0 FTE, is $50,000 – 90,153 per annum. The starting salary will be commensurate with education and experience.
Posted Date: 3/10/2023
Closing Date: Until Filled
Number of Openings: 2

 

 

 

Production Technologist

The Sylvia Fedoruk Canadian Centre for Nuclear Innovation Inc. (Fedoruk Centre) is inviting applications for a Production Technologist to support the manufacture of radiopharmaceuticals at the Saskatchewan Cyclotron Facility (Facility).

The Fedoruk Centre was established in 2011 under the Canada Not-for-Profit Corporations Act, with an independent Board of Directors and a sole Member, the University of Saskatchewan (U Sask).   The purpose of the Fedoruk Centre is to help place Saskatchewan among global leaders of nuclear research, development and training through investment in partnerships with academia and industry.  The Facility is owned by U Sask and operated by the Fedoruk Centre.  It is licensed by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) as a Class II Nuclear Facility.  The Facility encompasses a high-current ACSI TR24 cyclotron; cGMP-level radiopharmaceutical laboratories including hot cells, auto-synthesis units and a quality control system (HPLC, GC, TLC);  a suite of shielded work areas with radiochemistry equipment; two small-animal PET-CT scanners for preclinical research; and a suite of tools for nuclear imaging of living plants.  Besides serving as a resource for academic and industrial researchers, the Facility supplies fludeoxyglucose (FDG) for PET-CT scanning in regional hospitals.   Radiopharmaceuticals are manufactured in compliance with regulations of the CNSC and Health Canada.  

Primary Purpose:  Reporting to the Technical Operations Manager, the Production Technologist will support the manufacture of radiopharmaceuticals and radiochemicals.   

Nature of Work:  Reporting to the Technical Operations Manager, the Production Technologist will be part of a team producing isotopes, radiochemicals and radiopharmaceuticals for Positron Emission Tomography (PET) imaging in research and medicine.  The primary work environment is a laboratory environment, which is clean, orderly, properly lighted, and ventilated.  There is some exposure to ionizing radiation in a laboratory that is operated under well-controlled and closely monitored conditions, highly regulated by provincial, federal, and internal quality and regulatory professionals.  Each staff member receives specific training in keeping with regulatory guidelines and is monitored for radiation exposure.  Noise levels are considered low to moderate.  

This position requires rotational early morning shifts and may occasionally require night shifts and weekend shifts.  

Accountabilities: 

• Operate the cyclotron and automated synthesizer units for the production of radiopharmaceuticals and radioisotopes.
• Daily production of radiopharmaceuticals including aseptic dispensing and shipment of products.
• Clean, monitor and maintain the clean room suites, quality control laboratories and innovation laboratories in a state of readiness.
• Routine quality operations including calibration of equipment, environmental monitoring and analysis of incoming materials, intermediate substances and final products.
• Train and assist researchers, students and staff on processing and analysis operations.
• Assist in planning, qualification and validation of new processes, including the preparation of standard operating procedures and quality documents.
• Follow standard operating procedures and maintain complete records of production, dispensing, and quality control in compliance with CNSC and GMP regulations.
• Adhere to and support GMP compliance policies and procedures.
• Perform animal handling protocols as per UACC approved procedures.
• Other related duties that support the core activities and purpose of the Fedoruk Centre.

Qualifications: 

• Education:
  • A recognized college diploma or a recognized undergraduate degree in pharmacy, biotechnology, chemistry, microbiology or a related field.
• Experience:
  • 1 to 2 years of relevant experience, preferably with analytical instrumentation, radiochemistry and/or radiopharmacy.
  • Experience with GMP is considered an asset.
• Technical Skills: 
  • Knowledge of and skills in applying a wide variety of analytical techniques.
  • Basic understanding of chromatography (HPLC, TLC and/or GC) analysis, Empower software, and aseptic techniques are all considered assets.
• Behavioural Competency Skills:
  • Communication – Openly communicating in a compelling, honest, persuasive and articulate manner, ensuring the message is clear, understood and consistent with objectives.
  • Client Focus – Bringing excellence to internal or external clients by focusing efforts on discovering and meeting their needs.
  • Conceptual & Analytical Ability – Understanding, analyzing, synthesizing and relating complex information and abstract variables; drawing logical conclusions and/or providing reasonable and creative alternatives.
  • Initiative – Anticipating and dealing with problems and issues in a persistent manner, seizing opportunities that arise and going beyond what is expected.
  • Results Orientation – Focusing efforts on achieving quality results consistent with the Fedoruk Centre purpose and values.
  • Self-Knowing & Self Development – Assessing strengths and weaknesses, and engaging in ongoing self-development and improvement, maintaining effectiveness in the face of change or ambiguity.
  • Teamwork – Demonstrating effective interpersonal skills and working cooperatively and effectively within and across organizational units to achieve common goals.
  • Valuing People – Treating people fairly, with dignity and integrity, to promote a culture of commitment and productivity.
• Health requirement: 
  • Physical ability to lift 23 kilograms.
  • Any offer of employment will be conditional on the results of a medical assessment and/or vision examination to the extent permissible under employment law (The Saskatchewan Employment Act, S‐15.1, 2013, as amended).

The salary range for this Production Technologist position is $50,000 – 90,153 per annum.  Placement within the range is dependent upon education and experience.  This is a full time continuing position with an anticipated start date in March 2023.  This position is not within any collective bargaining unit.   The Fedoruk Centre corporate values can be found at https://fedorukcentre.ca/who-we-are/brand-values.php

Please submit a covering letter and resume in PDF format by email to niki.schrie@fedorukcentre.ca, with Subject Line:  Production Technologist; [your name].

Applicants must submit either a copy of their valid Canadian work permit or proof of citizenship/permanent residency status.

Screening will begin on/about Jan 27, 2023. While the Fedoruk Centre thanks all applicants for their interest, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.   

Inquiries regarding this position may be directed to: Niki Schrie, Human Resources & Operations Manager Email:  niki.schrie@fedorukcentre.ca 

Department: Sylvia Fedoruk Canadian Centre for Nuclear Innovation Inc. (Fedoruk Centre) 
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0
Posted Date: 1/18/2023
Closing Date: 6 Weeks. 3/7/2023
Number of Openings: 1