Technical Officer, Critical Minerals: Automated Laboratory Processing

Discover the possible

Anything is possible at the NRC, named in 2025 one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, 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 for laboratory automation for critical minerals processing to support the Clean Energy Innovation Research Centre’s research facility in Mississauga. You will support the goals of NRC and the Clean Energy Innovation Research Centre through research and the development and application of advanced technologies. You will be working in a team environment with researchers and technical experts in world-class facilities, while sharing our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect and Creativity.

You will participate in a wide range of activities relating to the development, implementation, and operation of a self-driving laboratory for critical minerals processing. Duties will include:

• Undertake, independently or under the supervision of other technical officers or researchers, technical work on the wet chemistry, characterization, and laboratory automation for critical minerals processing and testing, including hydrometallurgy / battery recycling.
• Contribute and/or lead activities related to laboratory automation and/or automated data analysis, in particular as it relates to material and process characterization, including the operation of custom, automated, high-throughput wet-chemistry and solid-chemistry equipment.
• Contribute, in collaboration with project managers to project planning, developing work plans, writing experimental and safety procedures and laboratory test protocols.
• Recognizing and solving issues related to equipment, experimental and analytical techniques and capture, analyze, validate and report on experimental results. Knowledge of experimental design principles and/or statistics will be considered an asset.
• Conduct technical and scientific information reviews in order to identify and apply relevant concepts needed for critical minerals processing, characterization and testing.
• Lead or contribute to the design, installation, modification, set-up, risk assessment and launch of new experimental set-ups or equipment; propose or recommend the purchase of and participate in procurement and installation of new lab equipment, materials and supplies; ensure operational continuity of equipment by developing operating procedures, executing required maintenance, performing troubleshooting, overseeing scheduling and utilization, and maintaining inventory of consumable.
• Coordinate efficient operations of a multi-user lab by overseeing general consumables, chemical inventory management, lab cleanliness and hazardous waste disposal in compliance with regulations. Actively engage in the organizational health and safety programs by complying with all NRC occupational health and safety policies and regulations.

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

College diploma or Bachelors of Science or Engineering in Chemistry, Materials Science or Chemical Engineering or in a relevant field.

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

Experience

• Recent experience in wet-chemistry based research laboratories in the development, evaluation and characterization of engineered materials and/or hydrometallurgical processes. 
• Recent experience in writing automated data analysis/data handling scripts in Python.
• Recent experience in working with automated laboratory equipment, including familiarity with associated software and/or hardware to parallelize experiment and/or directly working with robotics.
• Experience with the design, integration, and implementation of test pieces, and custom laboratory prototyping equipment.
• Experience with mechatronics and/or working in a machine shop will be considered an asset.

Recent experience in any of the following will be considered assets:

• Laboratory automation (physical integration and workflow development, API development, coding implementation).
• Coding for instrument communications.
• CAD and mechanical design 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

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

Technical competencies

• Knowledge of critical minerals processing and characterization relevant to the area of hydrometallurgy. Knowledge of relevant electrochemical processes will be considered an asset.
• Ability to write automated data analysis or data handling scripts using Python.
• Ability to set-up, implement, calibrate, maintain equipment, preferably involving concepts of laboratory automation, and use experimental and analytical techniques.
• Ability to act as lab coordinator of multi-user laboratories, including maintaining safe work environment, inventory management, and hazardous waste handling in compliance with workplace health and safety legislation and regulations.

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 $66,126 to $91,012 per annum. 

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 was chosen as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, a National Capital Region Top Employer and Forbes Canada’s Best Employer.
• 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.