Are you looking for a role that will challenge your scientific expertise while allowing you to make a meaningful impact on environmental protection and nuclear waste management? Do you enjoy leading innovative chemistry and process‑development initiatives, from laboratory research through to pilot‑scale systems, that support safe and sustainable nuclear technologies? As a Chemical Scientist, you will apply your chemistry and engineering skills to advance nuclear waste processing, recycling, and disposal solutions that shape Canada’s energy and environmental future. If you answered yes, this may be the job for you—apply today!
What will you be doing!
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Technology Development & Scientific Leadership
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Leading and building the development and modelling of innovative technologies supporting Science & Technology (S&T) and commercial projects related to nuclear waste processing.
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Identifying, evaluating, and implementing appropriate technologies and equipment to support nuclear waste processing activities.
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Building and executing experimental protocols and procedures to ensure work is conducted safely, accurately, and in compliance with regulatory requirements.
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Leading the investigation and modelling of chemical and physical processes that govern nuclear waste material behaviour.
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Executing the preparation of high‑quality technical reports, research papers, and scientific documentation.
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Supervision, Mentorship & Quality Assurance
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Leading, guiding, and mentoring junior scientists, engineers, and technologists contributing to shared research projects.
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Supervising technical staff during experimental work while ensuring workplace safety and adherence to best practices.
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Building and executing quality assurance practices across all aspects of laboratory and project work.
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Research Project Execution & Collaboration
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Leading and contributing to the execution of research projects as part of multidisciplinary teams.
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Building and executing research proposals, detailed work plans, project schedules, and budgets.
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Leading and contributing expert scientific input to colleagues, management, and external stakeholders through technical reports, peer‑reviewed publications, presentations, and briefings.
Other duties as assigned by your manager.
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What we are looking for:
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Education
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Undergraduate degree (minimum Bachelor of Engineering with Honours or Bachelor of Science with Honours from a university of recognized standing; M.Sc. or Ph.D. considered an asset) in Chemical Engineering, Chemistry, or related Engineering or Science discipline.
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Experience
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Relevant work experience, preferably in the nuclear field, e.g., chemical separation and purification; inorganic or organic chemistry, material processing and synthesis, water treatment, and material characterization; and radionuclides separation and encapsulation is considered an asset.
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Postdoctoral or work experience in related fields is desirable.
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Previous experience in applied research in an industrial, institutional or academic setting is desirable.
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Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
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Proficiency in fundamentals of science & engineering – nuclear fundamentals, chemistry, chemical thermodynamics, fluid mechanics and mass/heat transfer.
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Proficiency in Matlab, COMSOL, or a similar programming language, and scientific calculations.
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Proficiency in MS Office suite is required.
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Maintain excellent records of work.
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Communicate clearly with subordinates, colleagues, supervisors and managers.
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Excellent technical writing skills.
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Excellent oral communication skills for participating in meetings and making presentations.
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Ability to present technical work to a non-technical audience.
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Knowledge of nuclear industry and radiation protection will be an asset.
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Skills in simple chemical processes and kinetics modelling are desired.
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Security Clearance Eligibility Required
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Reliability Status with Site Access Security Clearance (SASC), 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:
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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.
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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.
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Office computer work, laboratory chemistry experiments, and engineering development work.
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May require heavy lifting when handling engineering scale equipment and materials.
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:
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Paid time off: vacation, sick, personal, and floater days
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Benefits effective Day One – no waiting period
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Tuition support to help you keep learning and growing
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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?
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Delivering clean energy for today and tomorrow
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Restoring and protecting the environment
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Contributing to the health of Canadians
If so, you’ll feel right at home at CNL!
Location: Fully Onsite
This role is a fully onsite role that requires the employee to primarily work at CNL’s Chalk River Laboratory site, with only occasional opportunities to work remotely, if desired by the employee. 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:
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Respect
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Teamwork
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Accountability
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Safety
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Integrity
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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.
