Nuclear Operation & Facilities / Physics & Astronomy

Applications are invited from talented and self-motivated scientist to work in radioisotope production research within the multidisciplinary team of radiochemists, nuclear physicists and engineers at Nuclear Operation and Facilities (NOF) and Physics and Astronomy.

McMaster NOF uniquely houses both a 5 MW Nuclear Research Reactor and a 16 MeV PETtrace cyclotron, which are complementary in the production of medical isotopes for diagnostic and therapeutic applications, supporting preclinical and clinical research locally, nationally and globally.   

The post holder will join the NOF radioisotope research program lead by Dr Karin Nielsen (Manager, Radioisotope R&D) to develop and optimise production routes for novel and established radioisotopes, including 166Ho, 44Sc, 94mTc, and collaboratively working with Faculty and external collaborators to expand the breadth of the research program.

The successful candidate will be expected not only to perform projects within their specified remit but also to provide training, assistance and advice to students, coworkers and research collaborators. The role will be a basis for authoring publications on the development of innovative methodologies in this field.

The Manager, Nuclear Outreach and Education is responsible for conceptualizing, implementing, staffing and managing User Experience office to provide best in class services to users of the facilities; promotion to obtain new facility users, capture and report on scientific impact of the facilities; conceptualizing, implementing, staffing and managing a Nuclear Outreach program, building on the MNR tour guide program, to provide outreach and public education activities and tours; and planning and leading efforts of cross-functional teams and working with the Faculties to greater integrate the nuclear facilities into academic programming of the University at the undergraduate and graduate level and with our partner institutions.

Reporting to the Director, Research and Education Support in Nuclear Operations and Facilities (NOF), the Manager, Radioisotope Research and Development is responsible for leading NOF’s radioisotope program. This involves both enabling and supporting Faculty and industry projects as well as leading the NOF evaluation, development, and translation of radioisotopes for commercial production. This requires a unique combination of skills in reactor based and cyclotron-based radioisotope production, processing, translation, GMP production and the management of a group of technical professionals responsible for all aspects of radioisotope R&D (2 Research Associates and 2 Chemical technologists). 

The manager will be the first line of contact for users at McMaster and in our local, national, and international user community as we expand our capabilities and capacity to support the growing needs of this diverse group. They will work closely with Faculty to support grant writing as well as the associated execution and supervision of research projects in the facilities.

This position works collaboratively with Faculty in all areas to expand the breadth of research programs and integrate programs across disciplines when appropriate. This role also includes ensuring regulatory compliance and application or new permits for associated nuclear licensed laboratories and for users and other advisory bodies as applicable. 

Status: Selected

The Director, Commercial Products and Services will develop, deliver, and expand commercial operations for Nuclear Operations & Facilities (NOF) in order to secure the required operating revenue. The incumbent will oversee the development and commercialization of nuclear products in a highly regulated and highly competitive international market. In addition, the Director will oversee the safe, secure, and effective production and sale of commercial medical isotopes and laboratory services.

This new leadership role offers tremendous opportunity for growth and the autonomy to shape the portfolio, while building strong connections to McMaster’s academic and research community. The Director will support McMaster’s strategic priorities and focus on four key themes – environment, health, materials and nuclear – supported by our nuclear research facilities. The incumbent will be part of an inclusive and collaborative working environment that encourages innovation, creativity, and curiosity.

Read the full job description for Director, Commercial Products and Services.

Status: Selected

The Manager, Isotope Production (Lutetium) will direct all aspects of Isotope Production at the McMaster Nuclear Reactor and other external facilities where McMaster isotope production processes have been deployed; ensure that all processes associated with isotope production are monitored and functionally correct to provide necessary quality and yield parameters to customers; and be the first line of contact with all existing and new customers for the production and delivery of isotope products.

Status: Selected

McMaster is seeking a Director, Nuclear Research and Education Support to expand the research and education profile of its nuclear facilities and capabilities, attract government support and develop national and international academic and industry partnerships and collaborations.

The Director will be a key asset and thought leader in creating, maintaining and implementing the institutional nuclear strategy, ensuring the optimal deployment of existing nuclear facilities and assets in support of the research and education mission of the University and planning and securing new facilities and upgrades to ensure the nuclear enterprise is positioned for the future.

This new leadership role offers tremendous opportunity for growth and the autonomy to shape the portfolio, while building strong connections to McMaster’s academic and research community. The incumbent will be part of an inclusive and collaborative working environment that encourages innovation, creativity, and curiosity. 

Read the full job description for Director, Nuclear Research and Education Support. 

Status: Selected

The Director, Reactor Operations and Maintenance will lead McMaster Nuclear Reactor’s transition to 24 hours-per-day operation at a higher power, embark on a major aging management plan to ensure safe continued operations while leading the growth of scientific and nuclear engineering research-based applications and the user base of the nuclear facility. The incumbent will drive overall strategic planning, budgeting, and management for the MNR.

This new leadership role offers tremendous opportunity for growth and the autonomy to shape the portfolio, while building strong connections to McMaster’s academic and research community. The incumbent will be part of an inclusive and collaborative working environment that encourages innovation, creativity, and curiosity.

Read the full job description for Director, Reactor Operations & Maintenance.

Status: Selected

Reporting to the Associate Vice-President, Research (Nuclear), the Manager, Strategic Nuclear Initiatives will be responsible for leading implementation of a portfolio of nuclear initiatives in research, education, industry service, outreach and organization development that are critical to the growth and transformation of the nuclear enterprise. This includes supporting the management of the portfolio, contributing to the project intake process, as well as managing projects from initiation through to implementation and benefits realization.

Read the full job description for Manager, Strategic Nuclear Initiatives.

Status: Selected

The Isotope Production Technician (Lutetium) is responsible for the safe and efficient production and shipping of radioactive isotopes and radioisotope products. Follows standardized procedures to produce, recover, package, and ship products while maintaining safe practices. 

Status: Selected

The Nuclear Reactor Analyst is responsible for implementing, analyzing and reporting on assigned research projects under supervision in the fields of nuclear reactor analysis and radiation transport. Requires knowledge of specialized scientific/technical methods and techniques in a specialized field or discipline.

*This position will be filled at either the Junior or Intermediate level depending on the skills of the selected candidate. Additional job responsibilities will be assigned if the candidate is hired at the higher level.

Status: Selected

The Managing Director, McMaster Institute for Advanced Medical Isotopes is responsible for contributing to the development and leading the implementation of the strategic and operational vision for the medical isotope infrastructure, ecosystem and critical supporting programming.

The Managing Director (MD) will lead the implementation of a medical isotopes institute strategy, as developed by the Scientific Director, and develop and manage corresponding operational plans that will serve as the umbrella framework under which the University will invest and coordinate its efforts in this space. Initially reporting to the Associate Vice-President, Nuclear, the MD takes a lead role in the management and coordination of operations, projects, external relations (including donor, partner and government relations), communications, administrative functions (human resources and financial management) and project management for medical isotope activity within the planned institute and the Office of the Vice President, Research.

Read the full job description for Managing Director, McMaster Institute for Advanced Medical Isotopes.

The Logistics Coordinator is responsible for the development and contract administration of customs and transportation service providers. They will facilitate the timely movement of goods to and from the University in accordance with federal, provincial, and international regulations. Movement encompasses, but is not limited to, the transportation of dangerous goods (in particular, Class 7 radioactive), freight (in particular EMS Cargo), customs, specialized documentation, relocations, and related invoice payments. Requires a thorough knowledge of international import and export regulations, incoterms, and the transportation of dangerous goods.

Status: Selected

The Nuclear Reactor Operator is responsible for the safe operation, including start-up, shut down, maintenance, emergency response, safety, and security of the McMaster Nuclear Reactor – carried out in accordance with the operating limits and conditions established by the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission.

Status: Selected

The Reactor Supervisor, Engineering is responsible for providing engineering support to reactor operations including evaluations, design, analysis, training, and supervision of projects. They oversee the daily operation and maintenance of the reactor under the direction of the Manager, Reactor Operations and provide supervision to a team of technicians.

Status: Selected

The Reactor Supervisor II is responsible for providing specialized, highly advanced, professional engineering services in a nuclear engineering field to design, develop and coordinate reactor operation, maintenance or research and contract projects. They provide significant technical depth and expertise as well as leadership and ongoing administration for research projects and commercial contracts.

Status: Selected

The Reactor Supervisor I will be responsible for providing specialized engineering support in a specific engineering field or discipline for operations, maintenance, research and contract projects within Nuclear Operations and Facilities. 

Status: Selected

The administrative assistant oversees the day-to-day administrative operations of a department; establishes priorities and schedules of projects; participates in the development and implementation of projects, work methods and procedures and recommends procedural changes to improve unit efficiency, including recommendations on staffing requirements; is responsible for providing direction to others in how to carry out work tasks.

Status: Selected

The tour guide delivers comprehensive tours of the McMaster Nuclear Reactor to a variety of individuals; tailors content of tour to the age and experience level of the tour participants; signs-in guests, checks ID and dress code in accordance with the published regulations; follows and promotes all safety rules and regulations associated with entry and exit; answers routine inquiries and provides information regarding McMaster Nuclear Reactor and the nuclear area; and explains displays and infographics on tour route.

Status: Selected

The Technical Services group is seeking a Nuclear Engineering Lab Assistant Co-Op to help set-up and execute several improvement and development projects. Projects are varied depending on the needs of the client, but some recent examples of projects that co-op students have been involved in are:

• Mechanical design of novel radioisotope production systems, production of fabrication drawings, and execution of commissioning tasks. The resulting device will be installed in the McMaster Nuclear Reactor core for production of medical isotopes.
• Commissioning of a small-scale fusion device for neutron production, integrating this into the facility’s safety interlock systems, production of commissioning reports for compliance with Federal nuclear safety codes.
• Development of mechanical test apparatus and remote handling tools to ensure that operator radiation doses are kept As Low As Reasonably Achievable.
• Development of automated controls and HMI’s for already existing irradiation systems that will be used for experiments and the production of liquid radioisotopes in the Cyclotron.

Applicants must be a student currently enrolled in a relevant post-secondary program such as Mechanical, Electrical, Mechatronic, Automotive, Automation Engineering/Technology programs, Physics, Chemistry, etc.

Status: Selected

The Office Assistant performs a variety of financial transactions and routine clerical/secretarial/reception duties according to established procedures and guidelines. Training for the responsibilities of the position is provided on the job. This opportunity is open to work program-approved students only.

Status: Selected