Molecular Biologist/PCR/qPCR Specialist

Vitacore Industries Inc.; Burnaby; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A pioneering biotech company based in Burnaby is seeking a PhD-level Molecular Biologist to develop and optimize PCR/qPCR protocols for an innovative platform combined with AI technology. The ideal candidate will have extensive experience with multiple qPCR instruments and a passion for advancing diagnostic technology in a fast-paced startup setting. Competitive salary and benefits included.

Benefits

Health & Dental benefits

3 weeks paid vacation

Tuition Assistance Program

Multiple company events

Qualifications

• PhD-level expertise in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, or Genetics.
• Experience in optimizing PCR/qPCR protocols.
• Ability to interpret qPCR data.

Responsibilities

• Design and optimize PCR/qPCR protocols for a novel platform.
• Run and troubleshoot assays on various qPCR instruments.
• Generate datasets for AI training and validation.

Skills

Molecular Biology expertise

PCR/qPCR protocol development

Analytical skills

Hands-on experience with qPCR platforms

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Education

PhD in Molecular Biology or related field

Tools

Applied Biosystems qPCR instruments

Bio-Rad qPCR instruments

Agilent qPCR instruments

Job description

About Vitacore

At Vitacore, we integrate cutting-edge research and technology with a profound commitment to sustainability and innovation. Established in 2020, Vitacore is driven by our mission to develop transformative products and services that address critical global issues, ensuring ethical practices and effective outcomes for the betterment of humankind and the planet. Our journey began with a focus on the healthcare sector, where we became leaders in manufacturing recycling single-use protective equipment. Today, we apply our expertise and innovative spirit to broader challenges, developing advanced technologies, sustainable practices, and innovative manufacturing processes that redefine what is possible across various industries.

About The Role

We are a fast-moving startup developing an ultra-fast qPCR platform paired with a custom-built AI system designed specifically for qPCR data analysis. Unlike generic integrations, our AI is engineered in-house by our software developers to directly interpret qPCR signals, optimize assay parameters, and accelerate decision-making.

We are seeking a PhD-level Molecular Biologist with deep expertise in PCR and qPCR. You will design and optimize protocols for our next-generation system, generate high-quality datasets for AI training/validation, and collaborate directly with developers and engineers to shape how wet-lab and computational pipelines converge.

This is an opportunity to pioneer breakthrough diagnostics technology in a lean, ambitious environment where your contributions have direct impact.

Responsibilities Include

• Design, develop, and optimize PCR and ultra-fast qPCR protocols tailored to our novel platform.
• Run, troubleshoot, and validate assays across multiple qPCR instruments (Applied Biosystems, Bio-Rad, Agilent, etc.).
• Generate and annotate datasets to support the training and validation of in-house AI algorithms.
• Collaborate with software developers to define metadata, parameters, and edge cases critical for robust AI model performance.
• Benchmark the performance of our custom qPCR + AI system against conventional workflows.
• Document protocols, results, and analyses thoroughly to ensure reproducibility and scalability.
• Stay current on advancements in molecular biology and computational analysis, bringing ideas that push the science forward.

Skills And Qualifications

• PhD in Molecular Biology, Biochemistry, Genetics, or related field.
• Proven track record in developing and optimizing PCR/qPCR protocols.
• Hands-on experience with multiple qPCR platforms.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to interpret qPCR data.
• Enthusiasm for interdisciplinary work with computational and AI teams.
• Adaptable, resourceful, and comfortable working in a dynamic, fast-paced startup setting.
• Bonus: Experience designing experiments that support machine learning or computational model training.

Compensation

• $80,000 – $90,000 annual salary, depending on experience.
• Health & Dental benefits.
• 3 weeks paid vacation.
• Tuition Assistance Program.
• Multiple company events throughout the year.

Application

If you are interested in joining our team, please send your resume and your salary expectation to [e-mail] with the subject line of “Molecular Biologist – Application”. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

About Vitacore Industries

Vitacore Industries Inc. manufactures personal protective equipment for Canadian frontline workers, available on demand. Our facility houses state-of-the-art equipment to produce millions of respirators every month. Vitacore is committed to serving Canadians. All of our current and future PPE is made using a Canadian supply chain and quality Canadian materials. Our main customers are in the Health Care Industry supporting our long-term growth and sustainability.