Specialist in Bioconversion and Biomethanization

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 Specialist in bioconversion and biomethanization (RCO) to support our Energy, Mining and Environment Research Centre. This person would be someone who shares our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect and Creativity.

The NRC Energy, Mining and Environment Research Centre delivers advanced technology solutions to Canada’s resource and utility sectors. Our unique technology risk management capabilities help companies develop and maintain a globally competitive position, and support quality improvements and cost reductions for vital products and services delivered to Canadians.

Key activities include:

- Build NRC expertise in bioconversion and biomethanization: select, promote, manage and execute innovative research projects;
- Analyze and identify client needs and prepare project proposals, including timeline and budget estimates.
- Plans and conducts innovative experiments that may require new equipment, experimental techniques, supervision of experimental setups, supervision of data collection, and investigation of emerging technologies to support the achievement of Research Center or program objectives.
- Analyze data, write reports or publications on the results of research projects.
- Provide scientific expertise and act as a technical resource to relevant stakeholder communities nationally and internationally, as well as to various other internal and external stakeholders.
- Identify opportunities and clients by identifying opportunities, participating in business development and marketing activities, and building collaborative relationships with local, national and international organizations.
- Maintains current knowledge and expertise in areas that support the research program focus.

**Screening Criteria**:
**Education**:
Master’s degree in biotechnology engineering, bioengineering, bioresource engineering, chemical engineering, or an equivalent combination of science or applied science degree and relevant experience.

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

**Experience**:

- Significant experience in the bioconversion of liquid and solid organic substrates into energy or value-added products;
- Significant experience in the design, operation and performance analysis of advanced anaerobic digestion systems;
- Significant experience in experimental design and analysis, including data collection and analysis, supervision of data generation and data quality assurance.
- Significant experience in developing and managing effective working relationships with organizations including other research teams, government departments, and industrial companies at the local, national, and international levels;
- Significant experience working with industries for technology development or exploitation.

**Condition of Employment**:
Reliability Status
- Must be able to work overtime, including nights, weekends and statutory holidays.
- Must be able to work in an ordinary laboratory environment with some exposure to hazardous materials/situations.
- A valid driver’s licence and access to the use of a vehicle are required in order to travel to meet partners and/or pick up samples for projects.

**Language Requirements**:
Bilingual

Information on language requirements and self-assessment tests

**Assessment Criteria**:
**Technical Competencies**:

- Extensive knowledge of microbiological concepts involved in bioprocesses such as anaerobic digestion (e.g., microbial groups, metabolisms, inhibition, favourable/unfavourable conditions, etc.)
- Extensive knowledge of engineering practices related to bioreactors or chemical reactors for conversion of organic feedstocks to energy and chemicals, including scale-up;
- Significant ability to summarize information, and develop and write technical reports and publications;
- Significant knowledge of project management principles and practices (i.e., preparing, updating, and monitoring progress against detailed project plans and timelines, including cost estimates, resource requirements, and budgets);
- Knowledge of process cost-effectiveness analysis, including energy and carbon efficiencies as well as technology costing.
- Ability to work collaboratively with industry and perform technology transfer to industry.

**Behavioural Competencies**:

- Research - Communication (Level 2)
- Research - Partnering (Level 3)
- Research - Results orientation (Level 3)
- Research - Teamwork (Level 2)
- Management services - Conceptual and analytical ability (Level 3)

**Competency Profile(s)**:
**Relocation**:
Relocation assistance will be determined in accordance with the NRC's directives.

**Compensation**:
The intent of this hiring action is to staff this position at the **RCO-3** level, which is **a mid-career** level position with a sala