Radiobiology Technologist

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories; Chalk River; On-site; CAD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Benefits effective Day One

Tuition support

Pension plan

Job summary

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories in Chalk River, Ontario, invites a Radiobiologist Technologist to join a research team focused on how ionizing radiation affects biological systems. You will support experiments including cell culture, molecular extractions, imaging, and next‑generation sequencing, while developing advanced lab techniques.

The role emphasizes SOP development, equipment maintenance, inventory control, safety training, and collaboration with other research groups.

Qualifications

• Two to three years of hands-on biology laboratory experience, or five to eight years with equivalent education or training.
• Training/Experience in keeping laboratory notebooks, electronic data, and physical records.
• Experience with standard and advanced lab procedures including qPCR, western blotting, immunostaining, flow cytometry, and cell counting.
• Knowledge of safety practices and the ability to work independently or in a team.
• Security Clearance eligibility with Reliability Status and site access.

Responsibilities

• Acquiring detailed knowledge of procedures and instrumental methods used in the laboratory.
• Preparing experimental protocols including cell culture, DNA/RNA/protein extraction, and NGS sample preparation.
• Operating and maintaining standard lab equipment such as centrifuges, pipettes, spectrometers, etc.
• Documenting results and contributing to internal or client reports.
• Developing, updating and following SOPs.
• Maintaining lab inventory of chemicals and reagents.
• Collecting and disposing of chemical and radioactive waste.
• Completing required training and renewals on time.
• Carrying out other duties as assigned by your manager.

Skills

Cell culture

Molecular biology

Immunostaining

Flow cytometry

qPCR

CRISPR-Cas9

Data analysis

Lab notebooks

Education

Advanced technology diploma or equivalent

Secondary School Diploma

Tools

Microsoft Office

Confocal microscopy

Job description

Can you see yourself contributing to vital research that helps us better understand how ionizing radiation affects biological systems? As a Radiobiologist Technologist, you’ll support experiments involving cell culture, molecular extractions, imaging, and next‑generation sequencing while learning and applying advanced laboratory techniques. You’ll maintain equipment, manage lab inventories, document results, and help develop and follow SOPs that keep research running safely and efficiently. If you're passionate about hands‑on science and want your work to directly support impactful radiobiology research, this is the opportunity for you.

What will you be doing!

• Acquiring detailed knowledge and understanding of experimental procedures and instrumental methods used in the laboratory and keeping up to date with current developments in the field.
• Preparing and executing experimental protocols can relate to one or more of the following: cell culture establishment and maintenance, animal handling, necropsy and tissue collecting, extraction of DNA, RNA, and protein from cells and/or tissue samples, preparation of samples for next‑generation sequencing (NGS), immunostaining of cellular targets for microscopic imaging or precipitation assays, etc.
• Participating in set‑up, calibration, operation, and maintenance of standard laboratory equipment such as balances, centrifuges, water purification systems, pipettes, pH meters, UV‑visible spectrometers, etc.
• Keeping proper laboratory notes.
• Participating in analyzing experimental results and contributing to preparing summary reports for internal use or external clients.
• Developing, modifying, updating, and following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Maintaining the inventory of chemicals, reagents, and materials.
• Participating in the collection and disposal of chemical and radioactive waste.
• Enacting procurement orders for purchasing lab supplies.
• Completing all required training and renewals on time.
• Other duties as assigned by your manager.

What we are looking for:

• Education
  • Graduation from a recognized institute of advanced technology or equivalent formal education in a field relevant to the position, such as biology, molecular/cellular biology, immunology, etc. and two to three years of pertinent technological experience OR Secondary School Graduation Diploma or equivalent and has five to eight years of relevant and progressive experience or the equivalent in experience, additional education and/or training.
• Experience
  • 2-3 years of hands‑on work experience in a biology laboratory is preferred.
  • Relevant technological experience is considered an asset.
  • Training/Experience in keeping laboratory notebooks, electronic data, and physical records.
  • Training/Experience in preparing experimental procedures and technical reports.
  • Experience with 3D organoid cultures is a strong asset.
  • Experience with animal models and basic animal handling is preferred.
• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
  • Excellent work performance and self‑motivation.
  • Knowledge of quality assurance practices.
  • Demonstrated good verbal and written communication skills that facilitate high‑quality teamwork, instruction, and effective interactions with other research teams, vendors, and on‑site groups.
  • Demonstrated competent computer skills, including Microsoft Office applications.
  • Excellent record‑keeping and well‑organized.
  • Ability to perform basic biological laboratory skills, which broadly includes pipetting, dilutions, measuring reagents, handling biological samples, and handling DNA and RNA.
  • Knowledge and experience performing standard and advanced technical lab procedures, including quantitative PCR (qPCR), western blotting, immunostaining assays, flow cytometry, and cell counting, etc. Experience with confocal microscopy is preferred.
  • Prior knowledge and experience with genetic manipulation techniques (i.e., cloning, CRISPR‑Cas9 gene editing, plasmid, and lentiviral transfection, etc.) is considered a strong asset.
  • Competence in culturing and maintaining 2D cell cultures.
  • Ability to analyze and interpret experimental results proficiently and perform basic graphing using software such as Microsoft Excel, GraphPad Prism®, SigmaPlot®, or equivalent software.
  • Must be efficient and able to work independently or as part of a team.
  • Self‑organized, able to establish priorities within a given work schedule and willing to change priorities depending upon work requirements.
• 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.
• This position is part of the USW1568 Union and is governed by the terms and conditions outlined in the USW1568 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.
• Requires standing for extended periods during the course of work activities.
• Requires handling, moving, and lifting materials and packages weighing up to 20 kg.
• Requires sufficient visual acuity and hearing to safely and effectively perform job duties.
• Requires frequent use of both hands and good manual dexterity for handling equipment, materials, and samples.
• Involves working with radioactive materials and compounds in controlled laboratory or operational environments.
• Involves handling and working with chemicals in accordance with established procedures and safety protocols.
• Requires strict adherence to safety policies, procedures, regulations, and personal protective equipment (PPE) requirements.

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.

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.