Our client, a recognized and firmly established university institution in Quebec, comprised of four thematic, multidisciplinary, and sectoral research and training centers, is currently seeking a Research Officer for platform operations and development.
Nature of position
Under the supervision of the Major Research Infrastructure Manager, you will be primarily responsible for the planning, coordination, execution, and monitoring of activities within the Environmental Biotechnology Laboratory (EBL). You will play a key role in commissioning and operating new equipment, such as the homogenizer, atomizer dryer, and decanter centrifuge, as part of an ongoing expansion project. You will also ensure the techno-economic feasibility analysis of projects, as well as the design, optimization, and safety of processes and systems. Additionally, you will be responsible for analyzing and resolving technical problems within the EBL. In this capacity, you will:
- Evaluate the potential, feasibility, and objectives of various projects to be carried out on the platform;
- Plan the technical and scientific aspects related to the implementation of various research projects and service contracts and design protocols, production processes, and experimental setups to achieve objectives;
- Plan, coordinate, and monitor laboratory activities, including production schedules and the work of personnel assigned to platform operations, and ensure that interns and students involved in projects receive necessary support from the team;
- Participate in laboratory operations and may be required to operate various platform equipment, including fermenters up to 2000 L, and diagnose and implement solutions for technical issues, modifications, or necessary repairs;
- Ensure that standardized work procedures are mapped, compliant with best practices, available, and up to date;
- Be responsible for quality control programs, maintenance programs, occupational health and safety aspects, and inventory monitoring to ensure the functioning of operations under your supervision;
- Collaborate in planning and budget management of laboratory operations and plan equipment purchases for operations, and collaborate in the procurement process;
- Contribute to the development of scientific projects, specifically in scaling up fermentation processes, as well as upstream and downstream activities;
- Support the development and implementation of practical training offerings related to platform activities for students, interns, researchers, or partners;
- Participate in promotion and business development activities of the EBL;
- Collaborate in preparing service offers and quotes for various projects with clients and industrial partners, and ensure optimal conditions are met to integrate new developments into EBL operation schedules;
- Actively contribute to optimization or expansion projects of major shared infrastructures at the ETE Center;
- Establish, in collaboration with research project managers, an annual plan and make appropriate recommendations regarding personnel needs based on available financial resources;
- Organize the internal functions of the Laboratory you manage to meet the priority needs of users, taking into account respective deadlines and available resources;
- Assign personnel to activities based on the needs of different projects, ensuring that each team member's tasks align with work objectives and correspond to their skills;
- Temporarily perform the duties of a related position or exceptionally the duties of a lower position when required;
- Perform any other tasks compatible with your role.
Required qualification
- Hold a graduate degree with a specialization in biotechnological production processes, biotechnology, applied microbiology, or any other relevant field;
- Minimum of five (5) years of relevant experience, including project management, fermentation processes, and upstream and downstream processes (homogenization, hydrolysis, separation, recovery, purification);
- Membership in the Ordre des ingénieurs du Québec (an asset);
- Proficiency in spoken and written French;
- Good knowledge of the English language will be considered an asset (for communication with English-speaking external stakeholders);
- Operational expertise in biotechnologies integrating process scaling equipment for fermentation (up to 2000L) will be considered an asset;
- In-depth knowledge of operational reality and industry needs as well as standard quality control procedures, work standards, and laboratory best practices;
- Ability to diagnose and repair minor problems with equipment (mechanical, plumbing);
- Strong statistical analysis and report writing skills;
- Familiarity with the MS365 environment.
Salary and condition
Salary and conditions are in accordance with company policy and candidate experience.
Job Location
The location shown on the map is approximate and is included for information purposes only.
