Technical Officer, Crop Root Multi-omics

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.

**City**: Saskatoon

**Organizational Unit**: Aquatic and Crop Resource Development

**Classification**: TO-3

**Tenure**: Continuing

**Language Requirements**: English

**Work Arrangements**:

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

**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 leading research and technology 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**:
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 Integrated Omics and Climate Resilience team within the Aquatic and Crop Resource Development Research Centre (ACRD). The Technical Officer would be someone who shares our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect and Creativity.

Key focus areas will be:
1. Developing high-throughput screening methods for crop root improvement
2. Assessing root diversity across various Canadian field and forage crops
3. Collecting multi-omics data to integrate DNA variants with gene, protein, and metabolite expression, and
4. Identifying key climate-resilience traits and the underlying genes and allelic variants for resilient root systems.

Responsibilities include contributions to experimental design, data management, analysis and interpretation of results, and recommendations for workflow improvements as needed. The incumbent will also be responsible for maintaining laboratory and phenotyping equipment and keeping detailed experimental records.

**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. Our crop-based research focuses on ensuring a diverse and sustainable supply of resources for the Canadian agriculture and food ecosystem.

For crop resource development at ACRD, we are developing advanced tools and technologies to:

- Increase the productivity, resilience and sustainability of traditional and economically important crops for Canada.
- Optimize the production of plant-based protein ingredients.
- Advance data-driven and AI-ML solutions for Canada’s agriculture and food strategies.

More

**Screening Criteria**:
**Education**:
B.Sc. in Biology, Crop Science or related discipline from a recognized university with coursework in plant (or crop) physiology, molecular biology, and genetics.

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

**Experience**:

- *Significant experience in experimental studies focused on plant root systems.
- Experience using R and/or Python for data science and bioinformatics.
- Assets:

- Experience with high-throughput digital phenotyping and development of crop digitization pipelines. Skills in 3D and/or hyperspectral (NIR/SWIR) imaging.
- Experience in metabolite and / or protein extraction and analysis.
- Experience in research involving plant-microbe interactions.
- Significant refers to a minimum of three (3) years of experience.

**Condition of Employment**:
Reliability Status

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

**Language Requirements**:
English

Information on language requirements and self-assessment tests

**Assessment Criteria**:
**Technical Competencies**:
1. Knowledge of plant root system architecture, root development, and plant mineral nutrition.
2. Knowledge of image capture techniques for plant phenotyping and familiarity with image analysis.
3. Knowledge of