Postdoctoral Fellow Researcher

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories; Chalk River; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Benefits from Day One

Tuition support

Pension plan

Job summary

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories in Chalk River, Ontario, invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow Researcher to advance organ‑on‑a‑chip systems, biodosimetry and radiobiology research. The role includes developing 3D co‑culture models, evaluating radiation biomarkers, and collaborating with engineers on microfluidic chips.

The successful candidate will have a PhD in a related field, 2–3 years of biology/biotech experience, and strong writing skills.

Qualifications

• PhD in Radiation Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Bioengineering or a related field.
• 2–3 years of experience in cell and/or molecular biology with strong writing skills.
• Experience mentoring junior researchers or trainees and contributing to grant proposals.
• Experience with organ‑on‑a‑chip, microfluidics or advanced in vitro models is a plus.
• Experience with ionizing radiation systems and biodosimetry–related assays.

Responsibilities

• Establishing methods to develop 3D co-culture for in vitro models.
• Evaluating biomarkers of radiation exposure and tissue injury.
• Optimizing microfluidic devices and testing organ‑on‑a‑chip integration.
• Performing high‑resolution imaging, viability testing, and molecular assays.
• Running statistical analyses to identify meaningful trends and correlations.
• Collaborating with engineering and science teams; other duties as assigned.

Skills

Cell culture

Mammalian in vitro

Biomarker discovery

Organ-on-a-chip

Microfluidics

Statistical analysis

Computational data interpretation

Communication skills

Education

PhD in Radiation Biology / Biomedical Engineering / related field

Tools

Omics platforms

Extracellular vesicles

Biomarker assays

Job description

Are you looking for an opportunity to advance cutting‑edge research that supports public health, emergency preparedness, and scientific innovation? Can you see yourself working at the intersection of radiation biology, bioengineering, and organ‑on‑a‑chip technologies to develop next‑generation models for radiation injury and recovery? If you answered yes, this may be the opportunity for you. as our Chalk River Laboratories location is looking for a Postdoctoral Fellow Researcher to support pioneering research in organ‑on‑a‑chip systems, biodosimetry, radiation countermeasures, and radiobiology.

What you will be doing!

• Establishing methods to develop 3D co-culture for creating physiologically relevant in vitro models.
  • Sourcing and cell culture preparation.
  • Method Establishment & Optimization.
  • Culture Maintenance & Scaling.
• Evaluating biomarkers of radiation exposure and tissue injury.
  • Biomarker Identification and Validation.
  • Tissue Injury Model Evaluation (i.e., building multivariate algorithms and organ‑specific diagnostic models using proteomic platforms to differentiate between total‑body and partial‑body exposures).
  • Assessing the feasibility of translating candidate biomarkers into deployable devices or point‑of‑care assays for mass casualty mass screenings.
• Microfluidic Device optimization and testing.
  • Collaborating with experts in microfluidics supporting organ‑on‑a‑chip design.
  • Collaborating with engineering and science teams to ensure the microfluidic chip works seamlessly.
  • Testing and validating the designed chips for organ‑on‑a‑chip irradiation and culture.
• Data Collection, Analysis, and Assay Development.
  • Performing high‑resolution imaging, viability testing, and molecular assays to assess the functional outcomes of the models.
  • Running statistical models and applying statistical methods to identify meaningful trends, patterns, and correlations.
  • Completing validation and troubleshooting of established assays.
• Other duties as assigned by your manager.
  

What we are looking for:

• Education
  • PhD in Radiation Biology, Biomedical Engineering, Bioengineering, Cell Biology, Microfluidics, Biophysics, Biotechnology, or a related field.
• Experience
  • 2 to 3 years of experience in cell and/or molecular biology, with good writing skills exemplified by reports and both internal and external publications.
  • Experience mentoring junior researchers, training undergraduate students, or laboratory technicians.
  • Past involvement in writing grant proposals or seeking external funding is a major asset.
  • Experience in organ‑on‑a‑chip, microfluidics, tissue engineering, or advanced in vitro models is a plus.
  • Experience working with ionizing radiation systems and radiation biology assays.
  • Experience with biomarker discovery platforms including omics technologies and extracellular vesicles.
  • Experience with statistical analysis and computational data interpretation.
• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
  • Demonstrated experience with cell culture and mammalian in vitro systems.
  • Familiarity with biomarkers of radiation exposure.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a multidisciplinary environment.
  • Familiarity with biodosimetry or radiation countermeasure research.
  • Knowledge of microfabrication, 3D bioprinting, biosensors, or imaging techniques.
• Security Clearance Eligibility Required
  • Reliability Status with Site Access Security Clearance (SASC), which has a minimum requirement of 3-5 years of verifiable history in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and/or the United Kingdom. CNL implements security screening in accordance with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat's Standard on Security Screening and the Policy on Government Security.
  
  

Working Conditions:

• Working schedule: Five (5) days per week, seven and a half (7.5) hours per day for a thirty‑seven and a half (37.5) hour work week.
• Office and lab work at Chalk River Laboratories, with the possibility of some remote work, including travel to Western University, London, ON, CA.
• This position is part of the CRPEG Union and is governed by the terms and conditions outlined in the CRPEG Collective Agreement. As a member of this bargaining unit, you’ll benefit from clear expectations around hours of work, wages, vacation, and other conditions that support a fair and consistent working environment.

Why CNL?

Does the idea of working with a dynamic team across Canada to advance nuclear science and technology for a clean and secure world excite you? At CNL, we’re reinventing ourselves to be industry leaders—pioneering solutions to the problems that matter most.

From building the next generation of clean nuclear and hydrogen energy technologies, to developing targeted cancer treatments, to continuing our global leadership in environmental remediation—we are driven by impact, innovation, and purpose.

What We Offer: A Total Rewards Package

We believe in taking care of our people. Here’s what you can expect as part of our team:

• Paid time off: vacation, sick, personal, and floater days
• Benefits effective Day One – no waiting period
• Tuition support to help you keep learning and growing
• A defined-benefit pension plan or a defined-contribution pension plan, depending on your employee group, to support your long‑term financial security

Do Our Priorities Resonate with You?

• Delivering clean energy for today and tomorrow
• Restoring and protecting the environment
• Contributing to the health of Canadians

If so, you’ll feel right at home at CNL!

Location: Onsite

Located in the heart of the Ottawa Valley, our Chalk River site offers a beautiful natural setting with forests, lakes, and wildlife, right at your doorstep. Surrounded by welcoming communities such as Deep River, Petawawa, and Pembroke, you’ll have access to unparalleled outdoor adventures and a fantastic work-life balance.

Please note: This is a fully on-site position based at our Chalk River Laboratory in Ontario.

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

At CNL, we are committed to fostering an environment that promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion. We celebrate and welcome employees, stakeholders, and partners of all backgrounds and identities. Click here to read all about it!

We are proud to uphold a workplace culture grounded in our Core Values:

• Respect
• Teamwork
• Accountability
• Safety
• Integrity
• Excellence

These values drive our employment practices and ensure meaningful career development opportunities and accommodations for all employees.

CNL is an equal opportunity employer. If you require accommodation during any phase of the hiring process, please let us know via [e-mail]. All requests will be handled with confidentiality.

CNL operates on sites located on the traditional lands, waterways and ceded and unceded territories of Indigenous peoples. CNL recognizes and affirms all First Nations, Métis communities and Inuit in this land we now know as Canada. We acknowledge, respect and seek to better understand Indigenous history, rights and title on the lands where we work and develop projects. We honour and respect the importance of the relationship between Indigenous peoples and their lands, waters and territories.