Technical Officer, Radiochemistry

Automotive and Surface Transportation; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research organization is seeking a Technical Officer in Radiochemistry to oversee a specialized lab. The role involves managing radioactive materials, conducting precise measurements, and supporting a team of scientists. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to groundbreaking research while ensuring safety and compliance in handling radioactive substances.

Benefits

Competitive benefits package

Robust pension plan

Comprehensive health and dental coverage

Relocation assistance

Qualifications

• Significant experience in a chemistry laboratory.
• Experience with radioactive materials using gravimetric methods.
• Knowledge of principles of radioprotection.

Responsibilities

• Run the IRS radiochemistry lab, manage safety aspects.
• Prepare solutions and samples for measurement of radioactivity.
• Maintain accurate logbooks and electronic files.

Skills

Knowledge of radioactive decay

Knowledge of surface tension

Knowledge of chemical reactivity

Ability to manage time

Ability to make high-quality measurements

Education

Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry

Graduation from a College technologist program in chemistry

Tools

MS Office Suite

Job description

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Priority will be given to the following designated employment equity groups: 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.

OrganizationalUnit:Metrology Research Centre

Classification:TO-3

Tenure: Continuing

Work Arrangements:Due to the nature of the work and operational requirements, this position will require full-time physical presence at the at the NRC work location identified.

Discover the possible

Anything is possible at the National Research Council (NRC). 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 are looking for a Technical Officer, Radiochemistry within the Radionuclide Metrology group in support of the Metrology Research Centre. The Technical Officer would be someone who shares our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect and Creativity.

The Ionizing Radiation Standards (IRS) group within the Metrology Research Centre disseminates, maintains, and develops standards for ionizing radiation. It also conducts research and development related to the measurement of ionizing radiation, and is well known for its work developing and exploiting Monte Carlo calculational techniques for the simulation of electron and photon transport in materials.

The successful candidate’s main responsibility will be to run the IRS radiochemistry lab in support of the radionuclide metrology program. Tasks include: administration of all safety and security related aspects of a restricted-access chemistry lab; procurement, safe-handling, storage, and disposal of radioactive liquid and solid samples; manipulation, dilution and chemical alteration of these samples; preparation of chemically and physically stable thin-source, liquid scintillation (LS) and electrodeposited samples for the primary-standard measurement of radioactivity; preparation of solutions having precisely defined chemical content using gravimetric sampling techniques; and development of new methods for improving source preparation and the measurement of radioactivity. In addition, the successful candidate will support the radioactivity calibration service by participating in regular data-taking with the primary standard setup, and will have the opportunity to assist in the preparation of scientific papers.

Some potential key activities are:

• Prepare chemically and physically stable solutions of radioactivity with well-defined chemical content for use as reference solutions; prepare thin-source, LS and electrodeposited samples from these solutions for use in the primary standardization of radioactivity;
• Operate and maintain the mechanical apparatus used to prepare thin-source and electrodeposited samples used for radioactivity measurement;
• Assist in the design and maintenance of detection instrumentation;
• Administer the procurement, safe-handling, storage, monitoring, and disposal of radioactive materials;
• Maintain accurate logbooks and electronic files recording details of source preparation, activity measurements, source inventory, and radiation monitoring;
• Employ innovative solutions and general shop practices to solve technical problems.

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 in chemistry or related discipline or graduation from a College technologist program in chemistry or related discipline.

• Significant experience in a chemistry or radiochemistry laboratory.
• Significant experience with the manipulation and preparation of radioactive materials in solid and liquid form using microgram gravimetric sampling methods.
• Experience working with MS Office Suite.
• Experience doing coding using languages such as C/C++, python or scripting languages like bash would be considered an asset.

Condition of Employment

Reliability Status

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

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

• Knowledge of the key physical and chemical principles necessary for stable and efficient source preparation; such as surface tension, volatility, buoyancy, chemical reactivity, specific gravity and conductivity;
• Knowledge of the significance of working with trace amounts of material and the diligence required to avoid losses;
• Knowledge of the principles of radioactive decay, nuclear decay schemes, radiation detectors and counting experiments;
• Knowledge of the principles of radioprotection;
• Knowledge of the methods used in chemical separation;
• Knowledge of the principles of error analysis;
• Ability to make repetitive high-quality measurements and perform a critical evaluation of the data collected;
• Ability to provide technical support in chemistry to non-chemists;
• Ability to acquire and record accurate results of experiments and tests; and
• Ability to manage time to meet commitments and deadlines.

Asset:

• Knowledge of the following fundamental interactions of ionizing radiation with matter; ion exchange separation and purification methods; ICP-mass spectrometry; nuclear electronics; gamma spectroscopy; one or more high-level programming languages, such as Python.
• Research Technician/Technologist - Client focus (Level 1)
• 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 - Self-knowing and self-development (Level 1)
• Research Technician/Technologist - Teamwork (Level 2)

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 2025, the NRC has been chosen as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, the National Capital Region’s Top Employers and Forbes Canada’s Best Employers.
• Relocation assistance will be determined in accordance with the NRC's directives.
• A pre-qualified listmay 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.

Please direct your questions, with therequisition number (22939) to:

*If you are currently a term or continuing employee at NRC, please apply through the SuccessFactors Careersmodule from your NRC computer.