Technical Officer, Cell Line Development

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Technical Officer, Cell Line Development

Priority may be given to the following designated employment equity groups: women, 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.

City: Montreal

OrganizationalUnit:Human Health Therapeutics

Classification:TO-3

Duration: Two (2) years

Language Requirements:French

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

Discover the possible

The role

We are looking for a Technical Officer to support the Cell Line Development team in our Human Health Therapeutics Research Centre. The incumbent 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 the country's economic development through healthcare innovations, including novel therapies. The research center has a strong track record of collaborations with industry and is a key player in the prosperity of small and medium‑sized enterprises (SMEs). With its primary sector of activity being the biopharmaceutical industry, the portfolio targets Canadian SMEs developing therapeutic products, biologics, or vaccines to address human health needs.

As part of the Cell Line Development team, the Technical Officer will support NRC, other government departments and industry research activities through technical assistance and facility maintenance at our Royalmount facility in Montreal. The incumbent will be part of a multidisciplinary team, providing essential support for ongoing projects and programs involving our industry partners and other government departments and agencies in the area of biotechnology.

The Technical Officer in Cell Line Development plays a pivotal role in the creation and optimization of mammalian cell lines used for biologics production. This position bridges molecular biology, cell culture, and bioprocess engineering to ensure robust, high‑yielding cell lines that meet regulatory and commercial standards.

The key responsibilities of the technical officer are the following:

- Cell Line Engineering: Design and execute strategies for transfection, selection, and cloning of mammalian cells (e.g., CHO, HEK293) to express therapeutic proteins, monoclonal antibodies, or other biologics.

- Clone Screening & Characterization: Use high‑throughput screening tools (e.g., ELISA, Biolayer Interferometry (BLI), flow cytometry) to identify top‑performing clones based on productivity, growth kinetics, and product quality.

- Genetic Stability & Expression Analysis: Assess long‑term stability of cell lines and confirm transgene integration using techniques like ddPCR, Southern blotting, and sequencing.

- Process Development Interface: Collaborate with upstream and downstream teams to ensure cell lines are compatible with scalable bioreactor processes and downstream purification.

- Documentation & Compliance: Maintain detailed records of experimental design, results, and protocols in accordance with internal quality level and regulatory guidelines.

- Technology Innovation: Evaluate and implement emerging technologies (e.g., CRISPR, single‑cell analysis, automation platforms) to enhance cell line development 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

Bachelor of Science degree (B.Sc.) in biotechnology, biochemistry or a field related to the position.

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

- Extensive* experience performing experiments in molecular biology such as PCR, plasmid constructs, and plasmid maxipreps.

- Extensive* experience performing experiments with protein expression systems.

- Extensive* experience performing cell culture under aseptic conditions.

- Significant** experience with mammalian cell line development platforms and analytical tools for protein production.

- Significant** experience troubleshooting and optimizing experimental conditions.

- Significant** experience performing experiments and technical duties following standard operating protocols related to production process.

- Significant experience documenting and maintaining detailed records of experimental design, protocols, results, and conclusions.

The following experience criteria would be considered assets:

- Experience operating and maintaining cell culture equipment.

- Experience in protein purification and analytic.

* Extensive experience is defined as seven (7) years of experience or more.
** Significant experience is defined as two (2) to six (6) years of experience.

Condition of employment

- Must be able to work in a laboratory environment in a Biological Safety Cabinet (BSC).

- 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 standard molecular biology techniques (PCR, plasmid production, gene fragment subcloning)

- Knowledge of protein production and expression systems, especially mammalian cell expression

- Knowledge of cell culture and working under aseptic conditions

- Knowledge of occupational health and safety best practices required to create and maintain a safe and healthy work environment.

- Knowledge of regulatory requirements for traceability and characterization of cell lines.

- Research Technician/Technologist - Communication (Level 2)

- Research Technician/Technologist - Creative thinking (Level 2)

- Research Technician/Technologist - Results orientation (Level 2)

- 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.

- Willingness to travel occasionally across Canada and internationally to represent NRC.

- 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.

Please direct your questions, with therequisition number (24282) to:

Closing Date: 11 December 2025 - 23:59 Eastern Time

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

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