Research Associate

**Company Profile**

Tersa is developing novel biotechnologies for remediation of mining waste. We aspire to drive the mining industry to a new era of profitability and sustainability by providing improved solutions in the area of mining tailings management and providing unmatched solutions for decarbonization.

**Job Summary**

The Microbial Fuel Cells (MFC) Research Associate, will support the Lead Engineer in testing, optimizing, and upscaling a specialized category of biologically driven processes designed for the treatment of acid rock drainage and wastewater containing metal impurities. Collaborating within a team context, the Research Associate will work alongside chemical and biological engineers, mining engineers, electrochemical engineers, and biotechnologists to advance decarbonization solutions and contribute to the elimination of mining tailings ponds.

**Key Responsibilities**
- Conduct comprehensive testing and analysis of performance parameters within microbial fuel cells to assess their efficiency and capabilities.
- Study and improve the performance of bioelectrochemical systems, with a focus on enhancing current densities and optimizing metal deposition processes.
- Employ electrochemical techniques using a potentiostat instrument.
- Execute routine cell culture tasks meticulously, ensuring aseptic conditions and working under anaerobic environments when necessary.
- Characterize the growth kinetics of bacteria, employing techniques such as viable cell counting and Bradford assays to monitor bacterial proliferation.
- Evaluate the deposition and precipitation of various metals, both in synthetic laboratory settings and field samples, to support research objectives.
- Execute various wet lab techniques including but not limited to media formulation, subculturing, optical density measurements, and organic acid assays, contributing to comprehensive experimental procedures.
- Aid in building, operating, and troubleshooting bioreactors to advance process development.
- Aid the integration of bioprocess subsystems to demonstrate technological capabilities.
- Cross-Team Collaboration: Collaborate closely with internal teams to ensure the successful completion of projects, offering support to engineering, research and development, business development, and operations teams as needed.
- Technical Documentation: Create detailed reports and technical documents, including Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), to document research processes and findings.
- Equipment and Lab Maintenance: Set up, calibrate, clean, and perform maintenance on laboratory equipment to ensure its accurate and consistent operation.
- Other Assigned Duties: Fulfill any other related duties as required by the research or laboratory environment, ensuring the smooth progression of experiments and projects.

**Education/Professional Qualifications**

Bachelor's degree of Biology, Biochemistry, Applied Science in Chemical, Biological or Biochemical Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Biotechnology or related disciplines, with 0-2 years of related experience in areas such as:

- Experience in bacterial culturing, growth kinetics, enzyme kinetics, testing samples using qualitative and quantitative assays
- Working with bioreactors for biomass and protein production is considered an asset
- Experience with fuel cells or electrochemical systems

A combination of education, experience, skills & abilities may be considered.

**Knowledge, Skills and Abilities**
- Proven experience with bacterial culturing, both in solid and liquid form
- Skilled in using aseptic techniques with a Bunsen burner and biosafety cabinet.
- Bioanalytical skills such as determining growth rates, calculating yield coefficients, and performing material and energy balances
- Understanding bioprocess design and development is an asset
- Operation of potentiostat, bioreactors, and plate readers
- Familiarity with batteries, fuel cells, or other electrochemical devices and continuous flow reactors
- Knowledge with analytical methods such as chromatography and UV-visible spectroscopy is an asset
- Experience with an electronic lab notebook program is an asset (e.g. Benchling)
- Ability to synthesize complex information towards solution-focused and creative problem solving.
- Possesses a positive and adaptable attitude within a fast-paced and collaborative work environment.
- Proven ability to take initiative, work independently and demonstrate proficient time management and organizational skills to meet deadlines without compromising on quality.
- Effective interpersonal and communication skills (written and oral), with the ability to produce technical documents and presentations to communicate concepts and results clearly to an interdisciplinary audience.

**Salary**: $51,000.00 per year

**Benefits**:

- Dental care
- Extended health care
- On-site parking
- Paid time off

Schedule:

- Monday to Friday

**Education**:

- Bachelor's Degree (required)

Work Location: I