Undergraduate Student Research Assistant (USRA) (Student Co-Op)

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 :

Vitacore Industries is looking for a keen USRA undergraduate student who wants to work with an award-winning, globally recognized R&D team comprised of scientists, PhDs, and engineers.

This student will have an appetite and aptitude for all things biochemistry and wants to gain real-life lab experience. The term length will be either 4 months or 8 months (depending on the Co-Op term) and will require in-person laboratory attendance.

Responsibilities include :

• Develop and refine cross-linkable extracellular matrix resins suitable for 3D printing applications, ensuring compatibility with cellular structures.
• Conduct thorough testing of resin properties including crosslinking efficiency, stability, and biocompatibility.
• Experiment with a diverse range of photo-initiators, dyes, and polymer concentrations, aiming for optimal resin performance.
• Explore the use of plasticizers and additives to enhance the physical properties of the resins, such as flexibility and strength.
• Collaborate in the development of a resin templating system, ensuring precise replication of vascular network models.
• Work on the microporosity tuning of cured resins, focusing on facilitating cell migration and network integration.
• Participate in the design of experiments to evaluate the performance of different resin formulations under various conditions.
• Engage in problem-solving activities related to resin behavior during the printing process, such as settling or uneven distribution.
• Collaborate with the material science team to understand and optimize the interaction between resin formulations and 3D printing technology.
• Document and report findings, contributing to the knowledge base for future resin development and optimization.

Skills and Qualifications :

• Post-secondary student currently in a Bachelor of Science program.
• Must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or have refugee status (at this time due to IRCC regulations, international students with either a student or work visa are not eligible).
• Be willing to work in-person at the Burnaby laboratory.

Role Details :

January 2025 to end of April 2025 (4-month placement) or January 2025 to

August 2025 (8-month placement)

• $20.00 per hour
• 10 paid days off, prorated for the calendar year
• 9am to 5pm PST, 40 hour per week for 4 months or 8 months
• Location - 3001 Wayburne Drive, Burnaby BC

If you are interested in joining our team, please send your resume and salary expectation to [email protected] with the subject line of Undergraduate Student Research Assistant (USRA) (Student Co-Op) 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.