Marine Micro/Nano-plastic Analytical Chemistry Technical Officer

Your Challenge

Great Minds. One Goal. Canada's Success.

Help bring research to life and drive your career forward with the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), Canada's largest research and technology organization.

We are looking for a Technical Officer to support our Aquatic and Crop Resource Development (ACRD) research centre in advancing our understanding of the impact of plastics on marine life.

The Marine Micro / Nano-plastic Analytical Chemistry Technical Officer would be someone who shares our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect and Creativity.

The bioaccumulation and fate of micro / nano-plastics and their impact on the marine environment are a growing concern and the Technical Officer will join a collaborative project leveraging NRC’s unique capability in zebrafish research combined with analytical chemistry expertise to study the effects of the accumulation of plastic particles and their associated pollutants in biological systems.

The Technical Officer will work with researchers and technical experts in analytical chemistry and zebrafish toxicology models to develop analytical methods to characterize the physical and chemical properties of plastic particles and correlate them to their biological impacts.

This requires the development of protocols and methodologies to extract, isolate and quantify micro / nano-plastics in biological systems and the environment as well as measuring the size, shape, and chemical composition of these plastic particles.

The Technical Officer will play an essential role in ACRD’s micro / nano-plastic research team and will work closely with partners from other government departments and academic institutions and contribute to collaborative studies by identifying and quantifying nano sized plastic particles in environmental samples.

The successful candidate will provide experimental guidance and technical support to ensure that projects meet their objectives and milestones.

These duties require planning and conducting experimental procedures, overseeing data quality and analysis, preparing research reports and disseminating results in the form of publications.

Key Activities

The TO activities in support of the program area objectives may include :

• Analyze samples for micro and nanoplastics quantification using LC / MS, Pyrolysis-GC / MS and other analytical instruments.
• Isolate micro and nanoplastics in zebrafish tissues and environmental samples using size exclusion and other separation techniques including Field-Flow-Fractionation.
• Extract and study organic pollutants associated with environmental plastic particles.
• Design and conduct innovative experiments, prepare research reports, and work collaboratively with team members and collaborators.

About the project : Advancing a Circular Plastics Economy for Canada.

Did you know Canadians could ingest several grams of plastic every year? According to the World Economic Forum, plastic could outweigh fish in our oceans and streams by 2050.

How does so much plastic get in our ocean

More

About ACRD

We perform advanced scientific research and provide research services and technology development for the sustainable transformation of Canadian bio-based resources into higher-value products.

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Why work with us

We collaborate with industry, academia and government partners to develop innovative and sustainable solutions to transform agricultural and marine bio-resources into food, feed and ingredients, and other high value bio-products.

In response to Canada's Plastics Science Agenda (CaPSA) and the transitioning of Canada's ocean sectors to a sustainable blue economy, we are also deploying our research capabilities for monitoring Ocean health, while enabling innovation and economic benefits.

The services we offer include :

• Collaborative research opportunities
• Access to expert researchers and technicians
• Scientific advice and technical services
• Projects tailored to your needs using our specialized facilities
• Research and development support

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

Completion of post-secondary education in chemistry, polymer science / engineering, material science / engineering or other discipline related to the position. .

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

Experience

• Experience working with isolating either nanomaterial or microplastics from environmental matrices.
• Experience working in the operation of laboratory equipment used for size separation with field-flow-fractionation system.
• Experience working with analytical techniques enabling the characterization of particles (, shape, surface area, or other physical or chemical properties).
• Experience working with GC / MS and / or LC / MS instruments considered an asset.
• Experience working with the operation of a MALS detector will be considered an asset.

Condition of Employment

Reliability Status

Language Requirements

English

Information on language requirements and self-assessment tests

Assessment Criteria

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

Technical Competencies

• Ability to implement new methodologies for the isolation, detection and quantitation of micro / nano-plastics in biological systems and environmental matrices.
• Demonstrated technical expertise in handling and processing of environmental samples and the separation of micro / nano-particles.
• Ability of operating and troubleshooting laboratory equipment including LC and GC-MS, size-separation system, or other analytical instruments used to characterize particles.
• Demonstrated ability to write high quality reports and communicate findings to partners.

Behavioural Competencies

• Research Technician / Technologist - Teamwork (Level 1)
• Research Technician / Technologist - Results orientation (Level 2)
• Research Technician / Technologist - Creative thinking (Level 2)

Competency Profile(s)

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

View all competency profiles

Compensation

From $58,445 to $80,040 per annum.

NRC employees enjoy a wide-range of competitive benefits including comprehensive health and dental plans, vacation, sick, and other leave entitlements, disability insurance and pension plans.

The NRC Advantage

The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) is the Government of Canada's largest research organization supporting industrial innovation, the advancement of knowledge and technology development.

We collaborate with over 70 colleges, universities and hospitals annually, work with 800 companies on their projects, and provide advice or funding to over 8000 Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) each year.

We bring together the brightest minds to deliver tangible impacts on the lives of Canadians and people around the world.

And now, we want to partner with you. Let your expertise and inspirations make an impact by joining the NRC.

At the NRC Employee wellness matters. We offer flexible work schedules as well as part-time work to help employees maintain work-life balance.

We are one of the few federal organizations that close our offices during the December holiday season. We offer professional learning and development opportunities such as conferences, workshops, and a suite of mentorship, award and recognition programs.

Diversity enables creativity and innovation. Fostering a diverse, inclusive, welcoming and supportive workplace is important to us, and contributes to a more inclusive Canadian innovation system.

We welcome all qualified applicants and encourage you to complete the employment equity self-declaration questions during the job application process.

Please let us know of any accommodation measures required to help you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner. Please note that the information you provide will be treated confidentially.

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