Radioecologist

Are you looking for a role that will challenge you and allow you to make a meaningful impact on environmental stewardship? Can you see yourself leading innovative research that uncovers how radionuclides move through and affect our ecosystems? Our team is seeking a passionate Radioecologist to lead and contribute to studies on the fate, transport, and ecological effects of radionuclides through fieldwork, laboratory analysis, and scientific research. If you answered yes, then this may be the job for you—apply today!

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What will you be doing! 

• Developing, leading, and executing environmental research projects across field and laboratory settings.
• Creating research proposals, detailed plans, schedules, and budgets for environmental studies.
• Designing and implementing innovative scientific projects to advance international recognition in the field.
• Developing and supporting methods for low-level radioisotope detection in environmental samples.
• Identifying and characterizing radionuclides in the environment and assessing associated risks.
• Providing technical direction and oversight to laboratory and field technologists, as well as students.
• Conducting technical peer reviews of reports and project plans.
• Collaborating with government agencies, Indigenous communities, universities, and key stakeholders.
• Preparing reports, scientific papers, and presentations to communicate research findings.
• Engaging with the international scientific community and supporting outreach with local interest groups.
• Other duties as assigned by your manager.
   

What we are looking for:

• Education 
  • Postgraduate degree (minimum M.Sc. requirement, Ph.D. considered an asset) in Earth or Environmental Sciences with appropriate specialization in radioecology, chemical/environmental toxicology, and/or environmental geochemistry.
• Experience 
  • A minimum of 3-5 years of relevant experience in the field of radioecology.
  • Experience related to method development and optimization for the measurement of environmental isotopes and/or radiochemical analysis (with a particular focus on 90Sr, 137Cs, 210Po, 210Pb, 226Ra, 222Rn and other naturally-occurring 238U and 232Th decay-products) in environmental sample types for research activities.
  • Experience operating analytical equipment for the measurement of radionuclides (e.g., gamma spectrometers, alpha spectrometers, liquid scintillation counters) and stable isotopes (e.g., isotope ratio mass spectrometers).
  • Experience using software packages (e.g., R, SYSTAT, ArcGIS) for multivariate statistical and spatial analysis/visualization of large and complex environmental datasets.
  • Experience using software for environmental/radiological risk/dose modelling (e.g., ERICA, RESRAD-BIOTA) and a proven ability to interpret results for assessing environmental risk.
  • Experience in designing, planning and conducting research projects in field and laboratory settings.
  • Experience in preparing and submitting successful research proposals.
  • Experience managing projects, which includes status reporting, schedule and budget monitoring.
  • Experience communicating with stakeholders and presenting research to audiences with varying degrees of technical expertise.
  • Experience applying for and successfully obtaining environmental research permits (e.g., Animal Use Protocols under the Canadian Council on Animal Care, Scientific Collection Permits for fish and/or wildlife issued by Provincial and/or Federal governments, or First Nations institutions).
  • Experience collecting environmental samples (e.g., soil, sediment, water, air particulate, plants, invertebrates, plankton, fish, donated large game) and knowledge of best practices in sampling protocols and animal welfare.
  • Experience working collaboratively with Indigenous communities on environmental research.
• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
  • Understanding of QA best practices for low background radiochemical analytical services.
  • Practical skills in the management of large and complex environmental datasets
  • Demonstrated skills and abilities in preparing written scientific and technical reports, including publication in peer-reviewed journals.
  • Demonstrated skills and abilities in preparing written plain-language and non-technical reports and presentations, including community newsletters and/or interviews.
  • Ability to work effectively in multi-disciplinary team environments.
  • Knowledge of environmental radiochemistry, environmental pathways modelling for radionuclides, and environmental regulatory requirements for nuclear facilities and operations.
  • Knowledge of (and commitment to) safe laboratory and fieldwork practices
• Security Clearance Eligibility Required
  • Reliability Status, which has a minimum requirement of 3-5 years of verifiable history in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and/or the United Kingdom. CNL implements security screening in accordance with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat's “Standard on Security Screening” and the “Policy on Government Security.”
     

Working Conditions: 

• Working schedule: Five (5) days per week, seven and a half (7.5) hours per day for a thirty-seven and a half (37.5) hour work week. 
• This position is part of the CRPEG union and is governed by the terms and conditions outlined in their Collective Agreement. As a member of this bargaining unit, you’ll benefit from clear expectations around hours of work, wages, vacation, and other conditions that support a fair and consistent working environment.
• Office computer work, laboratory experiments, and rigorous field work in remote locations. 
• May require heavy lifting in some situations.

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Why CNL?

Does the idea of working with a dynamic team across Canada to advance nuclear science and technology for a clean and secure world excite you? At CNL, we’re reinventing ourselves to be industry leaders—pioneering solutions to the problems that matter most.

From building the next generation of clean nuclear and hydrogen energy technologies, to developing targeted cancer treatments, to continuing our global leadership in environmental remediation—we are driven by impact, innovation, and purpose.

What We Offer: A Total Rewards Package

We believe in taking care of our people. Here’s what you can expect as part of our team: 

• Paid time off: vacation, sick, personal, and floater days
• Benefits effective Day One – no waiting period 
• Tuition support to help you keep learning and growing 
• A defined-benefit pension plan or a defined-contribution pension plan, depending on your employee group, to support your long‑term financial security

 

Do Our Priorities Resonate with You? 

• Delivering clean energy for today and tomorrow 
• Restoring and protecting the environment 
• Contributing to the health of Canadians

 

If so, you’ll feel right at home at CNL! 

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Location: Onsite 

Located in the heart of the Ottawa Valley, our Chalk River site offers a beautiful natural setting with forests, lakes, and wildlife, right at your doorstep. Surrounded by welcoming communities such as Deep River, Petawawa, and Pembroke, you’ll have access to unparalleled outdoor adventures and a fantastic work-life balance.

Please note: This is a fully on-site position based at our Chalk River Laboratory in Ontario.

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

At CNL, we are committed to fostering an environment that promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion. We celebrate and welcome employees, stakeholders, and partners of all backgrounds and identities. Click here to read all about it!

We are proud to uphold a workplace culture grounded in our Core Values: 

• Respect
• Teamwork 
• Accountability 
• Safety 
• Integrity
• Excellence

 

These values drive our employment practices and ensure meaningful career development opportunities and accommodations for all employees.

CNL is an equal opportunity employer. If you require accommodation during any phase of the hiring process, please let us know via [email protected]. All requests will be handled with confidentiality.

CNL operates on sites located on the traditional lands, waterways and ceded and unceded territories of Indigenous peoples. CNL recognizes and affirms all First Nations, Métis communities and Inuit in this land we now know as Canada. We acknowledge, respect and seek to better understand Indigenous history, rights and title on the lands where we work and develop projects. We honour and respect the importance of the relationship between Indigenous peoples and their lands, waters and territories.