Manager, Research and Collaboration

Northwest Employment Works; Toronto; On-site; CAD 90,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

NWMO in Toronto is seeking a Manager, Research and Collaboration to lead and coordinate NWMO’s technical research programs, with a primary focus on the multiple-barrier system and used fuel research to support the Deep Geological Repository (DGR) engineering program and safety case.

Reporting to the Director, Engineering, you will build and lead matrixed, multidisciplinary teams, and engage with regulatory bodies, industry partners, and universities to ensure research outcomes align with NWMO

Responsibilities

• Ensure employee health and safety, maintain NWMO health, safety and environment standards.
• Coordinate NWMO’s technical research and development programs, governance of Research Program, and monitor R&D activities across the organization.
• Prepare and manage key regulatory/strategic documents to support regulatory processes and research strategy.
• Lead national and international R&D opportunities, including collaborations with universities and research organizations.

Job description

Founded in 2022, the Nuclear Waste Management Organization (NWMO) is a not-for-profit organization tasked with the safe, long-term management of Canada’s intermediate- and high- level radioactive waste, in a manner that protects people and the environment for generations to come.

The NWMO has been guided for more than 20 years by a dedicated team of world-class scientists, engineers and Indigenous Knowledge Holders who are developing innovative and collaborative solutions for nuclear waste management. In 2024, the NWMO selected Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation and the Township of Ignace as the hosts for the site for a deep geological repository for used nuclear fuel.

This decision means our office and staff will, in the future, be relocating to Ignace, Ont., and the deep geological repository will be situated in the area near Wabigoon Lake Ojibway Nation and the Township of Ignace. Infrastructure planning and development are underway to support this transition and ensure that both the community and our employees are well served and supported, now and in the future.

Manager, Research and Collaboration

Fulltime – One (1) Position Available

Position Location: Toronto Head Office – 30 Adelaide St, East

Reporting to the Director, Engineering, this position is responsible for leading and coordinating NWMO’s technical research programs, both internally and externally, with a primary focus on the multiple-barrier system and used fuel research and development activities that support the Deep Geological Repository (DGR) engineering program and safety case.

The position supports regulatory, public engagement, national and international industry, research organizations, committees, and university collaboration by coordinating research activities and joint collaboration opportunities. The role establishes and leads matrixed, multidisciplinary teams that leverage technical and broader organizational expertise to deliver research programs aligned with NWMO priorities.

The Manager provides guidance and leadership in the management of research and development activities related to engineered barrier systems and used fuel, including material properties and characterization, long‑term material degradation such as corrosion and embrittlement, chemistry, microbiology, interactions between engineered components and the geosphere, and sealing system performance.

In addition, the role plays a key part in strengthening NWMO’s technical engagement efforts by working closely with engagement, communications, and regulatory affairs teams to ensure research outcomes are effectively communicated and aligned with organizational objectives, regulatory requirements, and stakeholder expectations.

Responsibilities

• Ensure employee health and safety, support a strong safety culture and ensuring employee activities meet or exceed the health, safety and environment requirements as outlined in NWMO policies, procedures and standards.
• Responsible for coordinating NWMO’s technical research and development programs and associated management system. Specifically, ownership of the Research Program governance, chairing NWMO’s Technical Review Committee (internal), monitoring R&D activities across the organization (e.g., engineering, geoscience, safety, environment, Indigenous, etc.) by working with research initiative owners/directors/contract leads. Responsible for providing guidance and recommendations to leadership on R&D strategic program direction, and tracking key metrics such as journal/technical report output, highly qualified personnel (HQP) creation, external grants/funding status, program status, etc.
• Responsible for preparation and management of key regulatory/strategic documents to support the regulatory process and NWMO’s research strategy.
• Act as NWMO’s lead for coordinating and/or executing national and international R&D opportunities, such as international co-operation agreements, working committees, and joint co-funded R&D programs.
• Lead interface and relationship management with leadership at Canadian research organizations including universities, consortiums (e.g., University Network of Excellence in Nuclear