Technical Officer, Downstream Processing

National Research Council Canada / Conseil national de recherches Canada; Montreal (administrative region); On-site; CAD 66,000 - 91,000; Full time

Job summary

National Research Council Canada (NRC) in Montréal is seeking two Technical Officers to support the Downstream Processing team in Human Health Therapeutics. You will develop and scale platform purification for biologics, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams in a GMP setting.

You will support cGMP clinical batch manufacturing, document experiments, and help transfer processes from bench to pilot scale, ensuring quality, traceability, and strong collaboration with partners.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in biotechnology, biochemistry or related field.
• Master’s degree would be an asset.

Responsibilities

• Adapt and execute platform purification processes to achieve target yield and purity.
• Pack and qualify chromatography columns for various scales.
• Prepare buffers for small- and large-scale processing in R&D and GMP environments.
• Execute DSP development studies using a QbD approach and scale up to pilot scale for GMP transfer.
• Provide technical support for cGMP clinical batch manufacturing at CTMF.
• Write batch records and SOPs; maintain detailed records.
• Coordinate procurement of DSP consumables and ensure timely supply.
• Adhere to safety protocols and confidentiality requirements.

Skills

Protein purification optimization

Downstream processing

ÄKTA chromatography systems

Unicorn software

Column packing

Buffer preparation

QbD

GMP/CTMF support

Data analysis (Excel)

Biologics manufacturing (GMP)

Education

B.Sc. in biotechnology/biochemistry

M.Sc. asset

Tools

ÄKTA chromatography system

Unicorn software

Job description

Priority may be given to the following designated employment equity groups: women, Indigenous Peoples* (First Nations, Inuit and Métis), persons with disabilities and racialized persons*.

• The Employment Equity Act , which is under review, uses the terminology Aboriginal peoples and visible minorities.

Candidates are asked to self-declare when applying to this hiring process.

City: Montréal

Organizational Unit: Human Health Therapeutics

Classification: TO-3

Tenure: Term

Duration: These are two 2-year term positions.

Language Requirements: English or French

Work arrangements: Due to the nature of the work and operational requirements, this position will require full-time physical presence at the NRC work location identified. At the NRC, we recognize that Indigenous candidates may have important connections to their communities and you may be eligible for an exception to this work arrangement. Alternative work arrangements may also be considered to accommodate candidates as required. To learn more about these options, please contact the NRC Hiring team using the contact information below.

Discover the possible

Anything is possible at the NRC, named in 2026 one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, Top Employer in the National Capital Region and Forbes Canada’s Best Employers! As Canada’s largest research and innovation 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 are looking for two Technical Officers to support the Downstream Processing team in our Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre. The incumbent would be someone who shares our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect and Creativity. The Human Health Therapeutics Research Center (HHT) has a mandate to support the country's economic development through healthcare innovations, including novel therapies. The research center has a strong track record of collaborations with industry and is a key player in the prosperity of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). With its primary sector of activity being the biopharmaceutical industry, the portfolio targets Canadian SMEs developing therapeutic products, biologics, or vaccines to address human health needs.

As part of the Downstream Processing team, the Technical Officer will support NRC, other government departments and industry research activities through technical assistance and facility maintenance at our Royalmount facility in Montreal. The incumbent will be part of a multidisciplinary team, providing essential support for ongoing projects and programs involving our industry partners and other government departments and agencies in the area of biotechnology.

The Technical Officer within the Downstream Processing team plays a key role in developing robust and scalable purification processes to enable biologics manufacturing. The incumbent supports early-stage programs by executing and maintaining platform purification activities, contributes to drug development through downstream process development and optimization, and supports clinical trial programs by providing technical support for cGMP clinical batch manufacturing within the Clinical Trial Material Facility (CTMF). This role requires rigorous documentation, strong adherence to established procedures, and effective collaboration with process development and manufacturing teams.

The role (cont'd)

The key responsibilities of the technical officer are the following:

• Adapt and execute platform purification processes in low- or high-throughput formats to achieve target yield and purity of drug candidates.
• Pack and qualify chromatography columns for lab- to large-scale processes and maintain associated column hardware.
• Prepare buffers for small- and large-scale processing in both R&D and GMP environments using scale-appropriate equipment.
• Execute DSP development studies using a QbD approach; demonstrate process robustness and scalability (including impurity/residual clearance and intermediate stability); and scale up processes from bench to pilot scale for GMP manufacturing transfer.
• Provide technical support and assist in cGMP clinical batch manufacturing at CTMF.
• Write batch records and standard operating procedures; maintain detailed records of experimental design, results, and procedures per internal quality standards and regulatory expectations.
• Coordinate procurement of DSP consumables and ensure timely availability to meet project timelines.
• Adhere to occupational health and safety protocols, laboratory security measures, and research confidentiality requirements.

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 of Science degree (B.Sc.) in biotechnology, biochemistry or a field related to the position.

A Master’s graduate degree (M.Sc.) in biotechnology, biochemistry or a field related to the position would be considered an asset.

For information on certificates and diplomas issued abroad, please see Degree equivalency

Experience

• Significant experience in optimizing protein purification methods for products produced in bacterial, yeast or mammalian expression systems.
• Significant experience executing platform protein purification procedures or developing scalable processes leading to manufacturing.
• Significant experience* operating ÄKTA chromatography systems and developing methods using Unicorn software.
• Significant experience* in chromatography column packing.
• Significant experience* in buffer preparation at various scales.
• Significant experience* in setting up and operating tangential flow filtration systems, depth filtration, nanofiltration, and sterile filtration.
• Significant experience* in data analysis with MS Excel or similar software packages.Experience in biologics manufacturing under GMP environment.
• Experience with a range of DNA and protein analytical techniques, including ELISA, UPLC, and dPCR, will be considered an asset.
• Significant experience is defined as two (2) to six (6) years of experience.

Condition of employment

Reliability Status

For a Reliability Status, verification of background information over a period of 5 years is required.

Language requirements

English or French

Information on language requirements and self-assessment tests

Assessment criteria

Technical competencies

• Knowledge of basic protein biochemistry and principles of protein/virus purification.
• Knowledge of various unit operations in downstream processing.
• Knowledge of biosafety level II and ability to work in this environment.
• Knowledge of chromatographic separation methods for proteins and viruses.
• Ability to operate and program ÄKTA chromatography equipment.
• Knowledge of drug development pathways and relevant regulatory guidelines.
• Ability to accurately follow, modify, or create Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Ability to precisely document experiments and communicate effectively both orally and in writing.

Behavioural competencies

• Research Technician/Technologist - Communication (Level 2)
• Research Technician/Technologist - Creative thinking (Level 2)
• Research Technician/Technologist - Initiative (Level 2)
• Research Technician/Technologist - Results orientation (Level 2)
• Research Technician/Technologist - Teamwork (Level 2)

Competency Profile(s)

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

View all competency profiles

Compensation

From $66,126 to $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.

Notes

• In 2026, the NRC was chosen as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, a National Capital Region Top Employer and Forbes Canada’s Best Employer.
• Relocation assistance will be determined in accordance with the NRC's directives.
• Willingness to travel occasionally across Canada and internationally to represent NRC.
• Must be able to work in a physical environment requiring manual dexterity, crouching, bending and handling heavy and bulky objects.
• A pre-qualified list may be established for similar positions for a one-year period.
• Preference will be given to Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada. Please include citizenship information in your application.
• The incumbent must adhere to safe workplace practices at all times.
• We thank all those who apply, however only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Closing Date

8 September 2026 - 23:59 Eastern Time