Research Technician

Research Technician (Level A2) Job Description

About Growcer

The Growcer is an innovative agri-tech startup launched in Ottawa in 2015, specializing in the manufacturing and design of modular hydroponic systems that enable commercial food production in plug-and-play 40 ft. modules. Its vertical farming technology enables customers to grow fresh vegetables in virtually any climate, having been deployed within the Arctic Circle below -50°C. Growcer has empowered conventional farmers, entrepreneurs, communities and institutions to grow food locally all year round. Growcer’s work has been recognized with awards including Fast Company’s World Changing Ideas and the Entrepreneurs’ Organization and was featured on Season 13 of CBC’s hit show, Dragons’ Den.

The Growcer is looking for a driven individual with a self-starter attitude as the company enters the next phase of rapid growth and scales across North America. Effective Growcer employees are tenacious, enjoy working in a fast-paced environment, and are comfortable working on big-picture challenges with lots of autonomy. All positions and work responsibilities tie back to our mission of empowering people to feed the world more sustainably, and applicants who are laser-focused on contributing to the creation of a better food system will find a workplace and team that shares their vision for sustainable agriculture.

Type of Role:
Full-Time, salaried

About the Role:

As a Research Technician (Level A2) you will work closely with Growcer’s research project leads on both planning and executing large-scale experiments that look to introduce new and optimize existing crops and platforms. You will be accountable for ensuring that the set-up and maintenance of experiments is aligned with project plans, and that any deviations from plans are communicated to research project leads and the Director of R&D in a timely manner. The Research Technician may be responsible for independently planning and carrying out sub-projects (or small-scale experiments) as part of leafy green research. As the lead on these sub-projects, you will set weekly schedules to accommodate deadlines and ensure regular communication of progress and deliverables to the broader project team.

Research (80% of role)

• Conduct background literature reviews in support of research proposal development
• In coordination with research project leads, be responsible for the completion of research proposals and submission for review in advance of project start
• Be accountable for deadlines and deliverables for research projects in which you are involved, and timely communication of any deviations
• Be responsible for accurate transcription of research data and maintaining records of experimental progression
• In collaboration with research project leads, develop research reports on experiments conducted, ensuring rigour in analysis of data and transparency of methods used
• Support in the development of experimental schedules, record keeping sheets and reference documents based on project objectives
• Maintain knowledge of tasks and procedures associated with the operation of Growcer’s leafy green farms, and those specific to leafy green research projects
• Be accountable in ensuring lab operational activities (such as equipment maintenance, sensor calibration, nutrient mixing and fertigation, etc) are scheduled and completed in a timely manner
• Ensure compliance to applicable regulations as part of research projects you are involved in
• Be responsible for planning and executing on sub-projects as part of leafy green research, including the writing of reports and presentation of project findings
• In collaboration with the broader research team and other departments, lead retrofit activities for existing and future leafy green research infrastructure

Administration (15% of role)

• Be responsible for the generation and maintenance of accurate equipment files for R&D tools/ sensors, hardware and infrastructure as part of leafy green projects
• Be available to assist in R&D produce deliveries
• Support Health & Safety initiatives specific to areas used for leafy green research
• Ensure that the necessary Personal Protective Equipment is available for tasks undertaken in the leafy green research space

• In coordination with research project leads and the Director of R&D, lead the transfer of project findings into internal Growcer documents/ tools (i.e. financial projection tools, internal Standard Operating Procedures, etc)
• In collaboration with the research team, lead organizational initiatives including file organization to ensure accessibility to other departments
• Contribute to scheduled R&D department meetings and presentations, and be a knowledge resource for past experiments in which you were involved
• Support research funding applications and reporting initiatives, as applicable
• Contribute to the training of new team members

Cross Departmental Support (5% of role)

• Be available to provide consultation to other departments within Growcer on learnings and experiences for projects in which you were involved
• Collaborate with research project leads on the development of draft Standard Operating Procedures for Growcer’s new crop offerings, and the translation of these documents into customer support materials
• Be a subject matter expert on questions from other departments relating to horticulture, data collected and experiments conducted within R&D

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in a field of biology, with a preferred focus on an aspect of plant science OR college diploma in horticulture, biotechnology or a similar field with 2 years of relevant work experience
• Knowledge of and some experience with Controlled Environment Agriculture and hydroponic technology
• Knowledge surrounding Design of Experiments and associated statistical analyses
• Familiarity with and ability to troubleshoot the operation of small equipment and control/ monitoring systems
• Ability to work with other departments on science-related issues and deliver feedback in a timely manner
• Ability to plan ahead, foresee challenges and propose adequate mitigation strategies
• Great organizational skills, attention to detail and flexibility to deliver on tight deadlines
• Reliability and accountability for work in which you are involved
• Ability to conduct literature reviews and present information in a concise, accessible manner
• Ability and willingness to conduct hands-on work in confined agricultural and laboratory settings
• Ability to research and maintain knowledge of applicable regulations in laboratory and food production settings
• General understanding of plumbing, electrical and HVAC systems in small buildings, and ability to troubleshoot these systems if necessary
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs, knowledge of safe ladder use as well as the proper use of power tools