Isotope Production Technician
Job Description
Title:
Isotope Production Technician
Unit/Project Description:
McMaster Nuclear Operations and Facilities strives to embody values of integrity, quality, inclusiveness and teamwork. We aspire towards inclusive
excellence, acknowledging that diversity is essential to creativity and innovation, as well as integral to our operations.
We will assess merit through an inclusive lens that values equity and diversity. All interested candidates are encouraged to apply for this position.
McMaster University operates the McMaster Nuclear Reactor (MNR) as part of its educational and research programs. Commercial work is carried out to support these programs.
Job Summary:
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 in a potentially hazardous environment.
Purpose and Key Functions:
-
- Prepare radioactive isotopes and radioisotope products for shipment.
- Prepare product stock that meets concentration and purity requirements.
- Prepare samples and conduct quality control tests for in-process and finished goods.
- Fill out shipping and dangerous goods documentation and forms.
- Monitor and document process outputs.
- Complete procedural checklists during the manufacturing process.
- Collect environmental monitoring samples and readings.
- Safely transfer radioactive samples between sites. Analyze data to ensure that the production equipment is operating within the defined specifications.
- Report and record non-conformances in the production process or facility in the internal database software.
- Troubleshoot faulty and non-responsive equipment.
- Monitor and document the weight, volume, pressure, activity, and temperature of samples.
- Monitor and resolve product contamination issues.
- Gather and compile data required to perform a variety of calculations such as yields, purity of recoveries, and gas loading of production apparatus.
- Use defined calibration standards to monitor measurements and calibrate equipment.
- Exchange technical and scientific information with colleagues.
- Attend and participate in production group meetings.
- Prepare a variety of chemical solutions.
- Assemble shipping boxes and glass shipping vials.
- Pipetting a variety of samples.
- Transfer, stage, and work with materials in a Good Manufacturing Practices – Grade A environment, using aseptic techniques.
- Use an overhead crane to move equipment during the production process.
- Monitor and clean work surfaces to remove radioactive contamination.
- Maintain knowledge and certification in the transportation of dangerous goods, including receiving Radioactive packages.
- Perform data entry tasks including entering data into the appropriate spreadsheet and/or database.
- Write a variety of documents, including general correspondence, standard operating procedures, etc.
Supervision:
- No formal supervision of others is required.
- Provides orientation and shows procedures to others.
Requirements:
- 3-year Community College diploma in Chemical Engineering Technology or related field of study.
- Requires 2 years of relevant experience.
- Additional Information:
The successful candidate must pass a security background check as specified by the Nuclear Safety Control Act and will be classified as a Nuclear Energy Worker.
How To Apply
To apply for this job, please submit your application online.
McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.
The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.
The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.
As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey – Statement of Collection for additional information.
Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:
- Human Resources Service Centre at 905-525-9140 ext. 222-HR (22247), or
- Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office at ext. 22207, or
- School of Graduate Studies at ext. 23679
to communicate accommodation needs.
The University is committed to providing and maintaining healthy and safe working and learning environments for all employees, students, volunteers and visitors. The University’s Vaccination Policy-COVID-19 Requirements for Employees and Students (the “Vaccination Policy”), requires all McMaster community members, including employees, accessing a McMaster campus or facility in person to be fully vaccinated or to have received an exemption from the University for a valid human rights ground. While the Vaccination Policy is currently paused, it may resume quickly and on short notice, as informed by public health advice and direction. Should it become necessary in future to resume the Policy, all community members will need to demonstrate compliance at that time. Successful applicants in those positions that work in host hospitals or other healthcare sites that have active vaccination mandates in place will need to comply with these and any other health and safety measures necessary as part of their appointment. The University will continue to follow the guidance of public health organizations to define fully vaccinated statu