Career Opportunities

 

Research Officer

The Sylvia Fedoruk Canadian Centre for Nuclear Innovation Inc. (Fedoruk Centre) is inviting applications for a Research Officer (a) to provide collaborative scientific support for researchers who access the specialized facilities at the Saskatchewan Cyclotron Facility and (b) to advance the capabilities of the Facility by leading projects to develop new products or infrastructures. 

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 the University of Saskatchewan, and operated by the Fedoruk Centre.  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.  The Facility is licensed by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) as a Class II Nuclear Facility.  Radiopharmaceuticals are manufactured in compliance with regulations of the CNSC and Health Canada.

The salary range for this Research Officer position is $69,903 - $114,010 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 September 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

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:  Research Officer; [your name].  Applicants must submit either a copy of their valid Canadian work permit or proof of citizenship/permanent residency status.

This position will be posted until filled.  Screening will begin on/about June 15, 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

Primary Purpose:  The Research Officer is responsible (a) to provide collaborative scientific support for researchers who access the specialized facilities at the Saskatchewan Cyclotron Facility and (b) to lead internal projects developing new products or infrastructures.

Nature of Work:  Reporting to the Facility General Manager, the Research Officer is part of a team that maintains the Facility in a state of readiness for access by researchers from industry and academia to advance life sciences, technologies for health and agriculture, or innovations in the production of isotopes, radiochemicals and radiopharmaceuticals.  Besides providing resources for innovation in or through nuclear imaging, the Facility also manufactures PET imaging agents for medical diagnoses and treatments in regional hospitals, which is an operational priority.

The Facility is equipped with an ACSI TR24 cyclotron; cGMP-level radiopharmaceutical laboratories including hot cells, auto-synthesis units and a quality control system (HPLC, GC, TLC); small-animal SPECT-PET-CT scanners for preclinical research; a BioPET imaging system and growth chambers for plant and soil research; shielded work areas, and radiochemistry equipment.  Most of these facilities are accessible by users from academia and industry to develop new nuclear imaging agents for disease-targeting diagnoses and treatments, or to apply nuclear imaging methods to generate new knowledge in life sciences (plants, animals, humans).

The Research Officer will serve as a professional Local Contact, enabling Facility users to undertake research projects effectively, adapting to the support levels required for a project, and coordinating the resources that may be needed for project planning, through implementation, analysis and reporting.  The Research Officer will also serve as a Project Leader to advance the capabilities of the Facility by developing new products, procedures and scientific infrastructures.

The primary work environment is the suite of offices and labs in the Saskatchewan Cyclotron Facility at 120 Maintenance Rd, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Accountabilities:

  • Participating in planning and implementing user research projects that require access to Facility resources, considering safety, feasibility, project scope, scheduling and expert support; 
  • Collaborating with research users at a suitable level, for example training project team members in the safe operation of specialized equipment, analyzing data, and contributing to articles for scientific publications or patent disclosures;
  • Communicating complex conceptual and technical ideas to both experts and non-experts, ensuring understanding and alignment between diverse stakeholders involved in strategically important projects;
  • Leading internal projects to advance Facility capabilities, and performing activities, for example:
    • Recommending equipment for procurement;
    • Carrying out experimental work for establishing and validating technical specifications related to the development of nuclear substances;
    • Conducting studies to optimize production parameters and methods for nuclear substances;
    • Developing or improving equipment capabilities to address technical challenges in producing radiochemicals;
    • Transferring knowledge from the development phase to operation or production teams;
    • Establishing protocols and procedures to advance new products towards application;
    • Maintaining knowledge of best practices for handling and analyzing radioactive materials;
    • Helping to evaluate new technologies for potential development within the Facility;
    • Preparing technical reports and articles for publication in peer-reviewed literature; and
    • Participating in scientific conferences and meetings.
  • Advising the Fedoruk Centre team and users to achieve best outcomes and minimize risks; 
  • Maintaining standards of quality and ensuring compliance with regulations; and
  • Other related duties that support the core activities and mission of the Fedoruk Centre

Qualifications:
Education: PhD or Masters in engineering, physics or chemistry

Experience:

  • At least three years of post-educational experience in a research laboratory supporting innovation with nuclear and/or particle accelerator methods is a requirement.
  • Experience in radiation protection and safe handling of radioactive materials is required.
  • Experience in hands-on operation of radiochemical equipment and software such as Automated Synthesis Units and automation software (AllinOne, FastLab platforms, LookOut-National Instruments, Rockwell and similar); radio high performance liquid chromatography (Waters), radio thin layer chromatography and associated software (AR-2000 radioTLC and WinScan) gamma counting and gamma spectrometry systems (Ortec, Maestro and Gamma Vision) would be an asset.
  • Experience in data analysis and interpretation of analytical data.
  • Knowledge of Computer Aided Design elements (SolidWorks, Finite Element Analysis, Heat Transfer analysis) is an asset.
  • Knowledge of working in a Quality Management Systems environment is an asset.

Technical Skills and Knowledge:

  • Knowledge of radiation safety and safe handling of nuclear substances
  • Knowledge of accelerator target designs and trends in radioisotope production
  • Knowledge of equipment common to nuclear and particle accelerator labs
  • Familiarity with nuclear chemistry methods
  • Knowledge of how to respond appropriately when an issue is discovered in safety or compliance
  • Knowledge of understanding mechanical designs.

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 vision.
  • 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 commitment and productivity.

Health Requirement: 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. (Fedoruk Centre) 
Full Time Equivalent (FTE): 1.0
Posted Date: 5/19/2023
Closing Date: 6 Weeks. 6/30/2023
Number of Openings: 1