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Position:                       Principal Scientist – Ion Source Development

Employment Type:        Permanent

Location:                       Toronto, ON

Department:                  Medical Isotopes

Reports to:                    Scientific Director, Isotope Enrichment Technologies

Hours per week:            37.5  (shift work, field work and overtime may be required)

Number Required:         1

 

Kinectrics Inc. is one of Canada’s leading providers of innovative science and engineering services to the Electricity Energy Power Generation and Transmission & Distribution Sectors. We are a company built on a 100-year history of serving the energy sector with our advanced problem-solving expertise. Employing more than 1000 engineers, scientists, and technologists, our employees are recognized worldwide for outstanding technical excellence in the energy sector. Kinectrics is unique in that it has an extensive suite of up-to-date laboratories serving clients in both North America and around the globe.

Kinectrics takes pride in being consistently ranked as one of the best places to work in the energy and utility industry, where purpose and people mean as much as innovation and growth. That’s why we choose only the best and brightest to join us. To keep pace with Canada’s expanding energy and utility sector, Kinectrics has grown from a company of 300 to over 1,000 in only the last few years - and we aren’t looking to slow down. Join our diverse, supportive workplace for a rewarding career with us.

Visit our website to learn more:  www.kinectrics.com

 

What We Offer

At Kinectrics, employees are recognized for their knowledge, experience, and contributions while working in a highly technical and challenging environment. Kinectrics puts you in the driver’s seat of your own career, setting you up alongside industry experts who will help you develop the skills essential to your professional growth in a dynamic, entrepreneurial, and rewarding work culture.

 

  • Purpose: The work we do each day helps communities around the world. Find satisfaction in work that really matters, working alongside and as part of the best and brightest in the industry.
  • Growth: To keep pace with Canada’s expanding energy and utility sector, we are growing more each day, which means more opportunities for you. We encourage our employees to grow alongside our company thanks to a number of significant training and personal development opportunities.
  • Innovation: Our staff proudly develop innovations that push the industry forward.
  • Diversity: The company is dedicated to promoting diversity in its workforce, up to and including the senior management level. Our diversity committee ensures we stay up to date on leading trends and best practices, creating a desirable workspace for each and every one of our employees.
  • Competitive Compensation: We offer a competitive total compensation package unmatched by most industries throughout North America.

Overview

Kinectrics is building its Medical Isotopes portfolio, which is to span the supply chain from stable isotope production to cGMP radioisotope and drug product manufacturing.

 

Kinectrics is seeking a Principal Scientist to support our expanding medical isotope program that will help us meet the global demands for the next generation of medical isotopes. This position will aid in establishing Kinectrics as a leader in uninterrupted supply of high-quality isotopes that will be used in life-saving medications for patients worldwide.

 

As a key member of the team, you will be supporting in driving new product development and leading the design, development and testing of advanced plasma-based ion sources and related systems. You will provide technical expertise and mentorship to junior and intermediate staff. This is a great opportunity utilize your expertise in an innovative and growing environment.

 

 

Accountabilities: How you will make an impact

 

 

Develop ion source technologies for stable isotope enrichment. General accountabilities include:

 

  • Lead the design, development, and testing of advanced plasma-based ion sources and related systems, to advance Kinectrics stable isotope production technologies involving plasma physics, and ion beam technologies.
  • Technically plan, lead, and/or conduct cutting-edge projects in plasma physics and ion source development, including first-of-a-kind initiatives for equipment design, testing, and qualification of plasma and ion beam systems.
  • Mentor, coach, and train junior and intermediate scientists/engineers in plasma physics, ion source development, and related disciplines, fostering technical excellence and innovation.
  • Serve as a primary technical point of contact for stable isotope clients, ensuring customer satisfaction through high-quality proposal development, project execution, and ongoing support.
  • Supervise and guide the complex work of intermediate and senior scientists/engineers, ensuring rigorous application of plasma physics principles and ion source design methodologies.
  • Collaborate with equipment suppliers to ensure compliance with plasma and ion source system specifications, including site visits to review system performance, diagnostics, and testing procedures.
  • Conduct independent investigations leveraging deep expertise in plasma physics and ion source technologies, applying mature scientific judgment to solve complex technical challenges.
  • Provide subject matter expert (SME) oversight for safety reviews related to plasma and ion source equipment testing, including high-voltage electrical systems and vacuum systems.
  • Lead safety SME reviews and oversight of facilities, ensuring compliance with safety standards for plasma and ion source systems.
  • Drive new product development (NPD) and capital expenditure (CAPEX) projects to support continuous improvement.
  • Partner with management to identify growth opportunities in stable isotope technologies, supporting the development, planning, and execution of NPD and CAPEX initiatives.
  • Other duties as assigned.

 

 

What you need to succeed:

 

  • Education/designations/certifications: Minimum of a master’s degree and preference for a PhD in physics or engineering physics.
  • Years of experience: Requires 15 years of research and product development experience, specifically in commercial ion beam technologies and particle accelerators.
  • Must be able to work in a project driven environment with the capability to meet deadlines, work under pressure, and within project constraints (time, cost, quality).
  • Must be able to organize and prioritize assigned work and to coordinate multiple activities efficiently.
  • Must have a strong attention to detail and to quality assurance requirements.
  • Flexible to accept evolving assignments as current projects end and new projects begin.
  • Able to provide leadership in the strategic development of projects to effectively solve client problems. 
  • Demonstrated ability to independently develop business in his/her area of expertise, and propose and win orders for advanced, multi-disciplinary projects, programs, or activities.
  • Demonstrated originality and ingenuity to devise practical and economical solutions to meet client needs.
  • Demonstrated leadership in the areas of technical quality and training, developing, and supervising technical staff.
  • Ability to successfully obtain and maintain nuclear site security clearance.

 

  • Technical/job specific skills:
    • Advanced knowledge of plasma physics, ion source design, beam transport and optics.
    • Working knowledge of beam diagnostics and accelerator instrumentation,
    • Detailed knowledge of vacuum systems, high-voltage, electrical and RF systems as they apply to particle accelerators.
    • Simulation and modeling including COMSOL, ANSYS, and OPERA.

 

  • Leadership/supervisory
    • Technical Leadership: Ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams, including high-impact teams (HIT), in first-of-a-kind projects involving ion source development and ion implantation systems.
    • Project Planning and Execution: Proven track record in planning and managing complex projects, including budget oversight, timeline management, and risk mitigation for equipment design, testing, and qualification.
    • Mentorship and Training: Skills in mentoring junior and intermediate scientists/engineers, fostering technical growth in plasma physics, ion source technologies, and implantation processes.
    • Supplier and Stakeholder Management: Experience collaborating with equipment suppliers to ensure compliance with specifications, including site visits, system audits, and validation of performance metrics.
    • Client Engagement: Strong ability to serve as a “go-to” technical expert for clients, developing proposals, delivering presentations, and ensuring customer satisfaction through tailored solutions.

 

  • Problem-solving/innovation
    • Independent Investigation: Capability to conduct independent research, leveraging mature scientific judgment to address complex challenges in ion source performance and implantation efficiency.
    • New Product Development (NPD): Experience in identifying and developing innovative ion source technologies or implantation processes, contributing to intellectual property or patents.
    • Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) Planning: Skills in supporting strategic planning for facility upgrades or new equipment investments to advance ion implantation capabilities.
    • Growth Opportunity Identification: Ability to collaborate with management to identify market trends and growth areas in ion implantation and ion source technologies.

 

  • Interpersonal/teamwork
    • Communication: Excellent written and verbal communication skills for technical reports, client proposals, and cross-functional team coordination.
    • Problem-Solving: Strong analytical and critical-thinking skills to troubleshoot complex technical issues in ion source operation or implantation processes.
    • Adaptability: Ability to adapt to evolving industry needs, incorporating advancements in materials, diagnostics, or plasma technologies into project work.
    • Collaboration: Proven ability to work effectively in cross-disciplinary teams, integrating expertise from mechanical, electrical, and materials engineering.

 

Kinectrics Inc is strongly committed to diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) and welcomes applications from all individuals. To learn more about our commitments please visit our diversity, equity and inclusion and indigenous relations pages.

 

As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a voluntary diversity survey. The collection of self-identification data is driven by our commitment to DE&I and ensures Kinectrics' continuous review and improvement of its programs. The information that you provide is strictly confidential and your responses will only be used for statistical purposes. Your responses do not affect your candidacy in any way.

 

Kinectrics welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

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