Research Officer - Diagnostic R&D Scientist

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.

Defence Industrial Strategy

The NRC has an important role within the Government of Canada's Defence Industrial Strategy, accelerating research and innovation, and helping Canadian businesses develop leading-edge technologies for civilian and military use.

With expertise across fields such as transportation, quantum science, medical countermeasures and advanced manufacturing, the NRC is hiring to drive the development of national sovereign defence capabilities. The following role will support the NRC’s contributions to defence priorities.

The role

We are seeking a hands-on diagnostic R&D scientist to join the Cell Models and Antibody Technology Team within the Medical Devices Research Centre (MD). The ideal candidate will be deeply engaged in laboratory experimentation, assay development, and hands-on testing of diagnostic technologies.

We are looking for a hands-on diagnostic R&D scientist with expertise in synthetic biology, yeast surface display, and yeast-based biosensor development to join the Cell Models and Antibody Technology Team within the Medical Devices Research Centre (MD). The successful candidate will apply advanced yeast engineering and synthetic biology approaches to design, develop, and validate innovative diagnostic technologies for point-of-care (POC) and biomarker detection applications. 

This role is ideal for a scientist who enjoys direct bench work and thrives in multidisciplinary research environments. The successful candidate will contribute to the creation of novel biosensor platforms and lateral flow assays using yeast-based systems, synthetic genetic circuits, and advanced molecular design strategies.

The position involves assay development, optimization, and validation, with a focus on delivering reproducible, scalable, and clinically relevant results. The scientist will actively support technology transfer, IP generation, and collaborative R&D projects involving NRC teams and external partners from academia and industry.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Conduct and lead laboratory-based experiments for the design, optimization, and validation of diagnostic assays and biosensor platforms, including yeast-based and lateral flow systems.
• Engineer yeast cells for biosensing and surface display applications, integrating synthetic biology circuits for selective molecular recognition and signal transduction. 
• Perform hands-on work in assay development, including reagent preparation, conjugation chemistry, sample analysis, and troubleshooting.
• Develop and implement experimental protocols ensuring accuracy, reproducibility, and compliance with quality standards.
• Work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams to interpret data, identify improvements, and advance projects from concept to prototype.
• Maintain laboratory equipment and ensure adherence to NRC’s safety and quality management practices.
• Participate in project management, including experimental planning, documentation, and reporting of technical milestones.
• Engage in knowledge dissemination through technical reports, publications, and presentations at scientific meetings.
• Support technology transfer and commercialization efforts through close collaboration with industry and academic partners.

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

Ph.D. in Synthetic Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biotechnology, Biomedical Engineering, or a related field with a focus on diagnostic assay development and yeast biosensor systems.

Postdoctoral or equivalent industrial experience emphasizing hands-on laboratory work in diagnostic R&D is required.

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

Experience

• Proven experience in yeast surface display and synthetic biology-based assay development.
• Demonstrated success in engineering yeast biosensors and molecular diagnostic tools for point-of-care applications.
• Demonstrated experience in diagnostic test development, including lateral flow assays, and immunoassays, with a proven ability to design, execute, and troubleshoot complex experimental workflows.
• Experience in antibody and antigen engineering, including discovery, characterization, conjugation chemistry, and reagent formulation for diagnostic assay development.
• Proven track record in biosensor signal detection technologies and analytical validation and performance testing, including sensitivity, specificity, reproducibility, and scalability studies (LoD, LoQ, precision, and linearity).
• Experience applying biosensor and signal detection principles to diagnostic applications, utilizing optical readers, signal detection systems, and fluidics instrumentation.
• Experience working within regulated laboratory environments, with familiarity in ISO 13485, CLIA, FDA, CE-IVD, and Health Canada standards, ensuring compliance with quality and safety requirements.
• Strong proficiency in experimental documentation, data analysis, and technical reporting, with experience managing laboratory operations, maintaining equipment, and contributing to multidisciplinary team-based projects.

Condition of employment

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

Language requirements

English or French

Information on language requirements and self-assessment tests

Assessment criteria

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

Technical competencies

• Synthetic Biology and Yeast Engineering: Knowledge of yeast surface display, genetic circuit design, and biosensor development for diagnostic applications.
• Diagnostic Assay Design and Execution: Knowledge of the design, optimization, and troubleshooting of immunoassays and biosensor-based tests, including reagent preparation, sample handling, and performance validation.
• Analytical validation and Performance Testing: Ability to use analytical validation, including sensitivity, specificity, reproducibility, and scalability assessments (LoD, LoQ, precision, and linearity).
• Biosensor and Signal Detection Technologies: Applied knowledge of biosensor principles, optical and signal detection systems, and fluidics for diagnostic applications in medical and biomanufacturing contexts.
• Quality Systems and Regulatory Compliance: Working knowledge of laboratory quality systems and regulatory standards (ISO 13485, CLIA, FDA, CE-IVD, Health Canada), with experience ensuring compliance in diagnostic product development.
• Data Management, Documentation, and Team Collaboration: Proficiency in experimental documentation, data analysis, and technical reporting, with the ability to independently design experiments, maintain laboratory standards, and collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams.

Behavioural competencies

Competency Profile(s)

For this position, the NRC will evaluate candidates using the following competency profile: Research


View all competency profiles

Compensation

This position is classified as a Research Officer (RO), a group that is unique to the NRC. Candidates are remunerated based on their expertise, outcomes and impacts of their previous work experience relative to the requirements of the level. The salary scale for this group is vast, from $64,739 to $183,010 per annum, which permits for employees of all levels from new graduates to world renowned experts to be fairly compensated for their contributions.

NOTE: Please note that the full RO/RCO salary scale has five levels. Salary determination will be based on a review of the candidate’s expertise, outcomes and impacts of their previous work experience relative to the requirements of the level.  As such, the initial salary could be within another level of the RO/RCO salary scale (i.e. above or below the intended level for this position).

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.

About Medical Devices

The Medical Devices (MD) Research center has the mandate to support economic development through innovation in health care, including innovative diagnostic tests and instruments. The research center's primary sector of activity is the medical devices and diagnostic industry with impact on all aspects of life sciences in innovative analytics and biomarker detection (medical diagnostics, point-of-care devices, process analytics, biodefence, cell & gene therapy, etc.).

We support the Canadian ecosystem in the development, translation and implementation of medical device innovations.

Why work with us

Relying on scientific fundamentals and biomedical engineering expertise, we maintain a deep understanding of the research path from idea to market.

We believe we can support the growth of Canada's medical device ecosystem, given our:

• deep biomedical acumen
• commitment to research excellence and translation to clinical use
• strong connectivity with clinicians, industry, academia and government
• track record of ideation-to-market, with the ability to skillfully navigate at any point of the translation

More on working with us…

Notes

• 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.