Research Associate

Research Associate (Level B1)

Full-Time, salaried fixed term contract, 9 months

Research & Development Department

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 Entrepreneur’s Organization and was featured on Season 13 of CBC’s hit show, Dragons’ Den.

About the Role

As a Research Associate (Level B1), your responsibility is to support the oversight of research experiments that look to introduce new crops and Growcer platforms, as well as optimize existing platforms to increase productivity. You will work closely with the Director of R&D, Research Scientist & Horticulture & Lab Technician on project planning and ensure timely communication of results and any deviation from deadlines/ deliverables. You will be responsible for setting schedules for work to be conducted on a weekly basis for projects and activities on which you are a lead. You also hold the responsibility of coordinating/ maintaining a database of off-hand purchases required as part of leafy green farm research operations, as well as purchasing related to collaborative projects. The Research Associate will collaborate closely with other R&D personnel who are working on the same projects and be responsible in ensuring consistency and accuracy in the data gathered, and the presentation of those data.

Reconciliation

The Growcer team acknowledges that we work with many Territories and Treaty areas and we are grateful for the traditional Knowledge Keepers and Elders who are with us today, those who have gone before us and the youth that inspire us.

We recognize the land and the benefits it provides all of us, as an act of Reconciliation, as recommended by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) 94 Calls to Action and gratitude to those whose territory we reside on, work on or are visiting.

Growcer is committed to progressing the path of Reconciliation in a deeply meaningful way, in partnership with Indigenous and First Nations Peoples and is dedicated to fulfilling our role and responsibilities in this regard.

Research (80% of role)

• Support the development of research proposals for the evaluation of new crop varieties and the optimization of existing crops

• Be responsible for aspects of lab operation and growing trials, including but not limited to equipment maintenance, lab cleanliness, experiment set-up, plant health/ maintenance, pest management, nutrient mixing and fertigation, data collection, data analysis, and communication of results

• Ensure that clear and accurate records of experimental progression are maintained

• Be accountable for deadlines and deliverables on research projects that you lead, and timely communication regarding any deviation from research objectives and budgets

• Ensure compliance to applicable regulations, such as pesticide use regulations, waste disposal and food safety regulations, as part of research projects that you lead

• Collaboratively develop and maintain experimental schedules based on project objectives through discussion with project team members

• In collaboration with R&D team members and through regular communication with the Director of R&D, ensure that adequate labour is dedicated to the projects that you lead based on previously set weekly schedules

• Play a leading role in the development of research reports based on experiments you conducted, ensuring rigour in analysis of data and transparency of methods used

• Support Growcer’s publication of research data by ensuring high standards of experimental design, record keeping, statistical analysis, and scientific writing

• Coordinate validation of research infrastructure and components for your projects, ensuring timely, precise feedback to the Director of R&D as well as other departments when required

• Be willing and able to support retrofit activities for existing and future research infrastructure, and collaborate with other departments on testing of prototype and new procedures

Administration (15% of role)

• Coordinate small operational purchases for all leafy green crop experiments and maintain an up-to-date record of monthly spending and receipt of items

• Coordinate budgets & operational purchasing associated with collaborative research projects with educational institutions, as needed

• Ensure accurate equipment files for R&D tools/ sensors, hardware and infrastructure are maintained for projects in which you are involved

• Ensure proper training and certifications are in place for new and existing personnel assisting in projects that you are responsible for

• Support Health & Safety initiatives specific to areas where your research is conducted

• Create weekly schedules for projects that you lead and communicate labour requirements and project expenses to the Director of R&D

• Support research funding applications and reporting initiatives, as applicable

• Contribute to scheduled R&D department meetings and presentations, and be a knowledge resource for past experiments in which you were involved

• Support the development of internal documentation such as best practices and Standard Operating Procedures for experiments you conduct

• Contribute to the training of new team members

Cross Departmental Support (5% of role)

• Provide consultation to other departments within Growcer based on project learnings, experiences and research data collected

• Develop draft Standard Operating Procedures on plant growth and system maintenance for Growcer’s new product offerings

• Assist in R&D document translation into customer support materials, when necessary

• Support commercialization and training initiatives associated with projects in which you are involved and/or your areas of expertise

• Be available to support farm commissioning and communicate suggestions for process improvements

• Be a subject matter expert on questions from other departments (Sales/Marketing, Product, CS, Strategy) relating to horticulture and the experiments conducted within R&D

Requirements

• Master’s degree in a field of biology, with a preferred focus on an aspect of plant science OR Bachelor’s degree in Science with 2 years of relevant work experience
• Knowledge of and experience with Controlled Environment Agriculture systems and hydroponic technology
• Knowledge surrounding Design of Experiments and associated statistical analyses
• 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
• Knowledge of plant nutritional requirements, common pests and quality assessments based on crops of interest
• 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
• Understanding 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
• Experience with environmental control and irrigation systems
• Ability to lift up to 50 lbs, knowledge of safe ladder use as well as the proper use of power tools

Accommodation:

The Growcer is dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you feel you need accommodation(s) because of illness, disability, or other special need at any time during the recruitment process, please contact careers@thegrowcer.ca.