Website Nordion
Your Mission: Powering Precision Medicine
As an Operations Specialist at Nordion, you will be a critical operator at the heart of medical isotope production. You will be responsible for the safe, precise, and reliable operation of nuclear reactors, isotope extraction systems (such as isotope separation loops and targets), and/or downstream chemical processing lines. Your work directly enables the creation of Molybdenum-99, Iodine-131, Cobalt-60, and other isotopes essential for SPECT/CT scans, brachytherapy, and stereotactic radiosurgery.
This is a hands-on, technically rigorous role where procedural adherence, acute situational awareness, and a relentless commitment to safety are paramount. You will not only operate complex nuclear and chemical systems but also contribute to process optimization, troubleshooting, and the training of new personnel.
Core Responsibilities & Operational Domains
1. Nuclear Reactor & Target Irradiation Operations
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Perform licensed reactor operator duties (where applicable) or support operations for material test reactors (MTRs) used for medical isotope production, following strict operating procedures and technical specifications.
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Monitor and control reactor systems, including core parameters, cooling loops, and containment systems, using advanced control room instrumentation.
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Execute irradiation capsule and target loading/unloading procedures within reactor pools or beam tubes using remote handling equipment.
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Conduct routine surveillances, tests, and inspections on reactor systems and components.
2. Radioisotope Processing & Extraction
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Operate hot cell facilities and remote manipulators for the chemical processing of irradiated materials to extract and purify medical isotopes.
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Perform dissolution, filtration, chromatography, and purification steps in accordance with Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP) for Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs).
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Operate and maintain gamma spectroscopy systems and other analytical equipment for isotope purity and concentration verification.
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Manage the safe packaging and preparation of isotopes for shipment to global customers, ensuring compliance with national and international transport regulations for radioactive materials (IAEA SS-6, IATA/ADR).
3. Safety, Compliance & Quality Assurance
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Uphold an unwavering commitment to ALARA principles and personal/collective radiation safety.
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Participate in all safety drills, audits, and management system reviews.
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Maintain meticulous batch records, operational logs, and compliance documentation.
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Identify, report, and participate in the resolution of any process deviations, non-conformances, or safety observations.
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Ensure all work meets the requirements of the site Nuclear Operating License, Health Canada/FDA/EMA regulations, and ISO 13485 quality standards.
4. Maintenance & Technical Support
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Perform and document preventive maintenance on assigned process equipment.
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Collaborate with engineering and maintenance teams during corrective maintenance and system modifications.
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Provide input for procedure updates, training materials, and process improvement initiatives.
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Participate in outage planning and execution activities.
The Candidate We Seek: Qualifications & Attributes
Essential Requirements
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Education: A Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering (Chemical, Nuclear, Mechanical, or Materials), Chemistry, Physics, or a related technical field. An equivalent combination of education and significant direct experience may be considered.
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Experience: Minimum of 3 years of hands-on experience in one of the following environments:
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Nuclear power or research reactor operations.
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Radiochemical processing/hot cell operations.
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cGMP pharmaceutical or API manufacturing.
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Process control in a high-hazard industry (chemical, petrochemical, mining).
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Core Competencies:
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Procedural Rigor: Demonstrated ability to follow detailed written procedures with precision in a high-consequence environment.
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Technical Aptitude: Strong mechanical and systems understanding. Proficiency with process control systems and software.
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Safety Mindset: Formal training in radiation safety and a proven safety-oriented work ethic. Willingness to work in controlled radiation areas.
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Problem-Solving: Ability to diagnose process anomalies and respond effectively to abnormal conditions.
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Global Mobility:
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This role is open to all nationalities.
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Professional working proficiency in English is required. French or Dutch language skills are a significant asset for roles in Canada or Belgium, respectively.
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Must be able to pass and maintain stringent security and medical screenings, including fitness for duty in a nuclear environment.
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Highly Valued Qualifications
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Current or former reactor operator certification or equivalent national license.
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Direct experience with medical isotope production (Mo-99, I-131, Lu-177, Co-60).
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Experience working under a Nuclear Quality Assurance (NQA-1) program or cGMP.
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Knowledge of SAP or other enterprise resource planning systems for maintenance and batch tracking.
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Willingness to work a 24/7 rotating shift schedule.
Why Build a Career with Nordion?
Purpose & Impact
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Mission-Driven Work: Your daily operations directly contribute to patient health outcomes worldwide.
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Technical Excellence: Work with unique, cutting-edge technology at the forefront of nuclear medicine.
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Global Community: Join a team of world-class scientists, engineers, and operators across continents.
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Stability & Growth: Be part of a critical, long-term industry with continuous investment and innovation.
Compensation & Global Relocation Support
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Competitive salary with premium pay for shift work.
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Full visa sponsorship (e.g., Canadian Work Permit, EU Blue Card) and immigration legal support for you and your immediate family.
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Comprehensive international relocation package, including shipment, temporary housing, and cultural settling-in support.
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Industry-leading benefits: Health, dental, life, and disability insurance; defined contribution pension plan; employee assistance program.
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Performance-based annual bonus.
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Generous paid time off and site-specific holiday schedules.
Life at Our Sites
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Chalk River, Canada: A tight-knit, family-friendly community surrounded by nature, offering a unique Canadian living experience with strong outdoor recreation.
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Fleurus, Belgium: Located in the dynamic heart of Europe, with easy access to major cities like Brussels, Paris, and Amsterdam, rich in history and culture.
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Safety-First Culture: An environment where safety is the absolute, non-negotiable priority.
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Continuous Training: Extensive initial and ongoing training to ensure the highest levels of competence and safety.
Application & Global Mobility Process
Step-by-Step Recruitment Journey
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Initial Application: Submit your CV/resume through the Nordion careers portal. Clearly indicate your preferred work location(s) and detail your hands-on operational experience.
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Screening & Assessment: Review of qualifications, followed by an online technical aptitude assessment.
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Initial Interview (Virtual): A discussion with the Hiring Manager focusing on technical experience and safety philosophy.
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Panel Interview (Virtual): In-depth interviews with operations leads and safety/quality personnel.
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Conditional Offer & Screening: Offer contingent upon successful completion of:
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Comprehensive background check.
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Pre-placement medical and psychological assessment (fit for nuclear duty).
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Security clearance process (site-dependent).
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Immigration & Relocation: Our dedicated mobility team will manage the entire visa and relocation process, providing clear timelines and support at every step.
Visa Sponsorship Commitment
We are experienced in sponsoring global talent. Process timelines vary by destination country:
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Canada: 3-6 months for work permit processing.
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Belgium/EU: 2-4 months for Blue Card and associated permits.
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USA/UK: Process and timeline dependent on specific visa category.
To apply for this job please visit t.co.