Technical Officer, Rapid Protein Production

Discover the possible

Anything is possible at the National Research Council (NRC), recently named one of Canada’s 2025 Top Employers for Young People, a 2025 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 a Technical Officer to support our Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre. The Technical Officer 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 Canada’s economic development through healthcare innovation, including the advancement of novel biotherapeutics. With a strong history of collaboration with industry partners, the Research Centre plays a critical role in strengthening the competitiveness and growth of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). With its primary activity rooted in the biopharmaceutical sector, the HHT portfolio targets Canadian SMEs developing therapeutic proteins, biologics, or vaccines to meet important human health needs.

As part of the Rapid Protein Production (RPP) team, the Technical Officer will support NRC programs, other government departments, and industry-led initiatives by providing technical expertise and operational support at our Royalmount facility in Montreal. Working within a multidisciplinary group, the incumbent will contribute to key projects involving biotherapeutic candidate evaluation, protein production, and the generation of data packages essential for further development.

The Technical Officer in Rapid Protein Production plays a central role in the early discovery-to-development interface, enabling the rapid generation, characterization, and assessment of protein candidates. The position integrates molecular biology, protein expression, purification, and analytical characterization to accelerate lead identification and ensure candidates progress efficiently toward manufacturability.

The key responsibilities of the technical officer are the following:

• • Protein expression and production: Execute transient or stable expression workflows (e.g., CHO, HEK293) to rapidly produce recombinant proteins, antibodies, or other biologics for screening and characterization.
    
    
  • Manufacturability and developability assessment: Evaluate biotherapeutic candidates for developability liabilities such as aggregation propensity, stability issues and contribute to developability assessment packages used to support decision-making for lead selection.
    
    
  • Protein purification: Conduct purification using chromatography systems (e.g., affinity, ion exchange, SEC).
    
    
  • Cross-functional collaboration: Work closely with upstream, downstream, analytical, and bioinformatics teams.
    
    
  • Documentation and compliance: Maintain accurate and detailed experimental records, data summaries, and standard operating procedures consistent with internal quality standards and regulatory requirements.
    
    
  • Technology innovation: Implement and support emerging technologies (e.g., automation, high-throughput expression systems) to enhance screening throughput and improve the efficiency of developability workflows.

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

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

Bachelor of Science degree (B.Sc.) in biotechnology, biochemistry or a field related to the position with 5-7 years of experience in a field related to the position.

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

Experience

• Extensive* experience performing experiments with protein expression systems.
• Extensive* experience performing molecular biology experiments such as plasmid maxipreps.
• Extensive* experience performing cell culture under aseptic conditions (e.g., CHO, HEK293).
• Significant** experience in protein purification techniques such as Protein A and IMAC.
• Significant** experience with mammalian cell line development platforms and analytical tools for protein production.
• Significant** experience troubleshooting, documenting and optimizing recombinant protein expression, purification.
• Experience operating and maintaining cell culture equipment would be considered an asset.
  
  

Extensive* refers to at least 7 years of work experience.
Significant** refers to 2 to 6 years of work experience.

Condition of Employment

Reliability Status

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

Language Requirements

Bilingual Imperative BBB/BBB

Information on language requirements and self-assessment tests

Assessment Criteria

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

Technical Competencies

Knowledge of standard molecular biology techniques such as plasmid production, gene fragment subcloning;
Knowledge of cell culture and working under aseptic conditions, especially mammalian cells such as CHO and HEK293;
Knowledge of protein production and mammalian expression systems;
Knowledge of protein purification by chromatography such as Protein A and IMAC;
Knowledge of protein analysis and quantification techniques (SDS-PAGE, Western blot, ELISA);
Knowledge of optimization of protein production and purification processes;
Knowledge of occupational health and safety best practices required to create and maintain a safe and healthy work environment;
Knowledge of operation and maintenance of the ÄKTA system for protein purification would be considered as an asset.

Behavioural Competencies

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 $83,435 to $107,838 per annum.

In addition, the incumbent will receive the Bilingualism Bonus of $800 per year.

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 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.