Location: Calgary, Alberta

Type of Employment: Permanent – Full time

About Us:

Northern RNA Inc. is a new Canadian CDMO specializing in the production of nucleic acid products that support life-enabling work. Our goal is to work alongside our customers to provide scalable manufacturing capacity and to help them accelerate innovation in bringing their products from benchtop to bedside or field.

About Our Opportunity:

The senior manufacturing technician work in the biomanufacturing or in the chemical manufacturing field, where he/she will specialize in the upstream or downstream side of the process. He/she leads the respective production activity with the team members and discusses with the lead scientist to make decisions on critical process attributes. As a lead technician, he/she plans to execute and complete the manufacturing task on time and reports the summary of production and all other relevant information to the lead scientist.

Primary Responsibilities:

- Execute plasmid manufacturing process as per written MBR and SOPs and ability to recognize the deviations in the process.
- Adheres to the current positive manufacturing practice
- In-depth knowledge in chemical synthesis or plasmid production with process troubleshooting capabilities. Knowledge in process analysis, and gap identification is an asset
- Experienced in microbial aseptic techniques, handling bacterial cells, growth kinetics, and product analysis.
- Experience in chromatography techniques, depth filtration, and Tangential flow filtration techniques.
- Must be able to operate and maintain manufacturing equipment such as bioreactors, chemical reactors, high volume mixers, chromatography instruments, filtration systems and other small lab equipment.
- Assists in the troubleshooting of equipment with the senior-level associates. Performs common troubleshooting activities for plasmid and chemical synthesis
- Participates in Operational Excellence cross-functional project teams, including but not limited to Development, Quality, Analytics, Logistics, and Facilities. Supports Continuous Improvement Project Management and R&D; projects as required.
- Supports investigations of deviations for root cause and recommends appropriate corrective actions (CA) and preventative actions (PA). Leads the implementation of CAPA within agreed-upon timelines.
- Reviews own work and work of junior level associates for completeness on executed MBRs
- Coordinates with Logistics to ensure needed materials are delivered to production timely.
- Performs other tasks and assignments as needed and specified by management

Work Experience, Knowledge, and Skills:

Work Experience:





- A minimum 2 years of industrial experience related to the biopharma industry is an asset

Knowledge and Skills:

- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in, Biochemical engineering, Chemical engineering, Chemistry or Life Science is required
- A minimum 2 years of industrial experience related to the biopharma industry is an asset
- Basic knowledge in microbial growth kinetics, scale up and scale down of production is required
- Proficient in Microsoft Office with excellent written and verbal communication is required
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively, as required, in a fast-paced, matrixed, team environment consisting of internal and external team members
- Analytical thinker with excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt to changing priorities and deadlines.
- Excellent planning, organization and time management skills including the ability to support and prioritize multiple projects.
- Knowledge in Biosafety and Chemical Safety
- Knowledge in operation of bioreactors, chemical reactors, chromatography, and filtration equipment (Depth filtration and TFF-Nano, Microfiltration)
- Knowledge in buffer preparation
- Analytical techniques such as HPLC, pH, Conductivity, Density, electrophoresis, and spectrophotometry

Working conditions:

- Physical environment: The incumbent spends time in several different operational environments, ranging from comfortable office environments to laboratory manufacturing settings where they will be exposed to loud noise. Work activities involve alternating positions of light and heavy physical activities (sitting, standing, walking, bending, lifting light and heavy weight objects – up to 25 lbs., intermittent periods of keyboarding etc.). Majority of time is spent in the standing position with frequent opportunities to move about at will. Activities require a variety of easy muscle movements.
- Physical effort: Prolonged standing and/or walking during the manufacturing process.
- Sensory Attention: Work activities involve the need to concentrate on a variety of sensory inputs for long durations at a time requiring close attention several times daily. e.g., sensory attention to biological and chemical compounds.
- Mental Pressures: There is a considerable need to balance multiple conflicting priorities when working in a fast-paced work environment with tight production targets. Safety and compliance issues are sensitive.





What we offer? We offer a highly competitive salary and company-paid benefits. Additionally, there are excellent opportunities for learning and growth while working alongside our teams of experts who are bright, collegial, and highly motivated and who are on the cusp of the mRNA vaccine science and technology era.

Benefits:

Northern RNA Inc. offers its employees a wide range of benefits such as Health, Dental, Health and Wellness Spending Account, Basic Life Insurance, General Illness (Short-Term Disability and Long-Term Disability), Vacation, Performance Bonus, on-site parking and Accidental Death and Dismemberment.

Additional Information:

- Northern RNA Inc. requires all new hires to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 prior to the first date of employment. As required by applicable law, Northern RNA Inc. will consider requests for Reasonable Accommodations.
- Northern RNA Inc. requires all employees to wear a face covering (mask) in indoor public premises.
- Location for this position is in Calgary, Alberta. Candidates must be located within commuting distance or be willing to relocate to this area. Canadian citizens and those legally entitled to work in Canada are encouraged to apply. We are currently unable to sponsor.

Northern RNA Inc. is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Northern RNA Inc. is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital or veteran status, pregnancy or disability or other legally protected status. In accordance with applicable law, we make reasonable accommodations for applicants' and employees' religious practices and beliefs, as well as any mental health or physical disability needs. Offer of employment is conditional upon the completion of all applicable background checks and confirmation of credentials, the results of which must be satisfactory to the employer. We thank all applicants for the interest, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Job Types: Permanent, Full-time

Pay: From $62,000.00 per year

Benefits

- Dental care
- Disability insurance
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Relocation assistance
- Vision care
- Wellness program

Flexible language requirement:
- French not required

Ability to commute/relocate:
- Calgary, AB T2A 7H8: reliably commute or plan to relocate before starting work (required)

Education:
- Bachelor's Degree (required)

Experience:
- Life sciences or Chemical/Biochemical engineering: 2 years (required)

Work Location: In person

📌 Senior Manufacturing Technician (Calgary)
🏢 Northern RNA
📍 Calgary