Micro-Nanofabrication / Microfluidics Technical Officer - 2 positions

National Research Council Canada; Toronto; On-site; CAD 66,000 - 92,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Research Council Canada is seeking two Technical Officers in Micro-Nanofabrication and Microfluidics to support innovative research projects. Candidates will work within multidisciplinary teams to enhance microfluidic technologies impacting various applications in health and biotechnology, requiring a strong background in engineering or physics.

Benefits

Comprehensive health and dental coverage

Robust pension plan

Disability and life insurance

Office closure at the end of December

Qualifications

• Significant work experience in cleanroom environment and micro-nanofabrication laboratory.
• Experience with various characterization instruments including optical and scanning electron microscopes.
• Experience in developing micro-nanofabrication processes for microfluidic devices.

Responsibilities

• Support areas of research and development in microfluidics and micro-nanodevice fabrication.
• Maintain laboratory equipment, logs, and inventories.
• Train and supervise facility users, particularly related to microfluidic devices.

Skills

Knowledge of microfluidic systems

Solid hands-on knowledge of cleanroom fabrication equipment

Ability to produce designs using 2D or 3D design software

Education

Bachelor’s degree in physics, engineering physics, biomedical-engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, materials engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

L-Edit

Inventor

SolidWorks

Job description

Duration : 3 years for Toronto and 2 years for Boucherville

Language Requirements : English or French

Work Arrangements :

Due to the nature of the work and operational requirements, this position will require physical presence at the at the NRC work location identified.

Discover the possible

Anything is possible at the National Research Council (NRC),recently named one of Canada’s 2025 Top Employers for Young People, a 2025 Top Employer in the National Capital Region and Forbes Canada’s Best Employers!

As Canada’s leading research and technology organization, our world-renowned research pushes the boundaries of science and engineering to make the impossible, possible. Every day we explore new ideas through innovative research and help companies discover possibilities that impact Canada’s future and the world.

At the NRC, you’ll also discover new possibilities. Our supportive workplace fosters a culture of creativity, welcoming fresh perspectives and innovation at all levels. We value teamwork. You’ll collaborate across multiple fields and with the brightest minds to find creative solutions. Most importantly, you’ll discover what’s possible within you as you grow, make valuable contributions and progress in your professional journey. From ground-breaking discoveries to a life-changing career, discover your possible at the NRC.

The Role

We want to fill two Technical Officer positions in Micro-Nanofabrication and Microfluidics reporting to the NRC Bioanalytical Micro-Nano Devices Section which is composed of more than 40 researchers and technical officers with a unique combination of expertise spanning from physics, nano and microfabrication engineering, chemistry, molecular biology, and cellular biology.

The first position, located on the University of Toronto’s downtown campus, will support the strategic collaboration between the NRC, the University of Toronto, and Unity Health Toronto through the Centre for Research and Applications in Fluidic Technologies (CRAFT).

The second position, located at the NRC facilities in Boucherville, Quebec, will focus on supporting the delivery of strategic projects within the Medical Devices Research Centre, particularly in the area of microfluidic systems development and their applications in health. This is an area in which the NRC is internationally recognized.

Selected candidates will be working as part of a multidisciplinary team recognized for its innovation in the field of microfluidics and micro-nanodevices fabrication. More specifically, the technical work will support areas of research encompassing the use of lab-on chip systems for integration of molecular and cellular assays, artificial living systems, and portable molecular diagnostic devices for various applications such as environmental, food and water safety, clinical applications including in-vitro diagnostics for remote and space applications, as well as the emerging cell-based immunotherapy. The candidate will contribute to progress science & technology as well as practical applications in the field of life sciences research and clinical application.

The Technical Officers in Micro-Nanofabrication and Microfluidics will provide technical support for research work aimed at developing methods for the fabrication of micro-nanostructured devices in a cleanroom environment, assembly of polymer-based microfluidic devices, and support the automation and validation of assays based on NRC microfluidic technologies. The individual selected will also have to recognize and resolve problems associated with the experimental or analytical techniques, compile experimental reports, maintain facilities, develop assembly procedures, and actively support quality management systems. The candidate is expected to be able to work independently as well as part of the broader R&D team in an environment requiring a high-level of adaptability and multitasking.

These positions also include the following on-going responsibilities :

i) Maintaining / procuring laboratory equipment, space, logbooks and inventories,

ii) Fostering healthy and safe work practices, and

iii) In Toronto : training and supervision of facility users, including CRAFT students.

In Boucherville : support quality management systems and assembly processes.

About CRAFT in Toronto

CRAFT mandate is to drive the development of a national science and technology platform, establish an industry cluster for biomedical micro / nanodevice innovation, and foster their translation into commercial products providing solutions to significant clinical problems. CRAFT is an international leader in biomedical microdevices for in vitro diagnostics, artificial living systems, and biomanufacturing. It nurtures an ecosystem between scientists, engineers, clinicians, technology companies, and the entrepreneurial community, that publishes impactful research, pro-actively protects intellectual property, and translates device innovations to products and clinical solutions.

For the position located in Toronto, the work will be performed as part the CRAFT research program in cooperation with University of Toronto and Unity Health Toronto researchers, industrial partners or other government laboratories. The intent of the position is to help realize exciting projects in the areas of bio-devices design, microfabrication and their applications in in-vitro-diagnostics, regenerative medicine, and bio-manufacturing. As CRAFT is co-located between the University of Toronto’s downtown campus and the NRC Medical Devices Research Centre laboratories in Boucherville, Quebec, occasional travel to the NRC Boucherville site may be required.

Screening Criteria

Applicants must demonstrate within the content of their application that they meet the following screening criteria in order to be given further consideration as candidates :

Education

Bachelor’s degree in physics, engineering physics, biomedical-engineering, mechanical engineering, electrical engineering, materials engineering, or related discipline is required.

For information on certificates and diplomas issued abroad, please seeDegree equivalency

Experience

• Significant and recent work experience in a cleanroom environment and in a micro- or nanofabrication laboratory.
• Significant and recent work experience in developing micro-nanofabrication processes for the design and fabrication of microfluidic devices using techniques such as photolithography, wet / dry etching, thin-film deposition, hot embossing, PDMS casting, maskless lithography, and CNC machining.
• Experience with various characterization instruments used in micro-nanofabrication and microfluidics, including : optical microscope, scanning electron microscope, profilometers, goniometer, etc.
• Experience with the development or operation of microfluidic technologies.
• Experience in producing designs using 2D or 3D design software, such as AutoCAD, L-Edit, Inventor, SolidWorks and equivalents.

Condition of Employment

Reliability Status

Language Requirements

English or French.

Information on language requirements and self-assessment tests

Assessment Criteria

Candidates will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria :

• Solid knowledge of the techniques and materials used in micro and nano fabrication.
• Solid hands-on knowledge of the use of cleanroom fabrication equipment, such as photolithography alignment stations, etching systems and thin-film deposition methods.
• Knowledge of microfluidic systems fabrication characterization, and operation principles.
• Ability to produce designs using 2D or 3D design software, such as AutoCAD, L-Edit, Inventor, SolidWorks and equivalents.
• Research Technician / Technologist - Results orientation (Level 2)
• Research Technician / Technologist - Teamwork (Level 2)
• Research Technician / Technologist - Communication (Level 2)
• Research Technician / Technologist - Creative thinking (Level 2)
• Research Technician / Technologist - Self-knowing and self-development (Level 2)

Competency Profile(s)

For this position, the NRC will evaluate candidates using the following competency profile(s) : Research; Research Technician / Technologist.

View all competency profiles

Compensation

From $66,126to $91,012 per annum.

NRC employees enjoy a wide-range of competitive benefits including a robust pension plan, comprehensive health and dental coverage, disability and life insurance, office closure at the end of December, and additional supports to enhance your well-being throughout your career and beyond.