Technician, Breeding
Location - Onsite, Comox Valley
Employment Type - Permanent, Full Time 
Hours - 40 hours per week
Salary - $60,000 CAD - $70,000 CAD to start

A little about us
 
Aurora is proud to be a global leader in the cannabis industry. With a smart strategy, unmatched talent and focus on our long-term success, we believe we have a bright future.
At Aurora, we’re passionate about helping patients improve their lives through high-quality premium medical cannabis under brands they can trust and rely on. Our products, available across Canada, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand, include leading brands like Pedanios, IndiMed, San Raf, Whistler, Greybeard and CraftPlant.
Our diverse team works passionately across various roles, from manufacturing to corporate positions, and many more, united by our purpose: Opening the World to Cannabis. Enabled by science and empowered by people, for patients and consumers. We collaborate globally, embrace change with courage, stay agile, and treat everyone with compassion. We live our values daily, making a meaningful impact on patients, communities, and our A-Team.

Job Summary:

The Technician, Breeding is responsible for executing the daily technical, laboratory, cultivation, and data management activities that support the Breeding & Genetics department at the Coast R&D facility in Comox, BC. Reporting to the Scientist, Breeding, this role assists with the execution of breeding and production trials by carrying out experimental procedures, collecting and analyzing phenotypic and breeding data, maintaining breeding records and germplasm integrity, and contributing to the development, documentation, and continuous improvement of research protocols and standard operating procedures (SOPs).

The Technician, Breeding plays a key role in ensuring breeding experiments are executed accurately and efficiently, project milestones and timelines are achieved, and research data is reliable, traceable, and well documented. The Technician, Breeding works in a fast-paced breeding environment where daily activities vary between laboratory, greenhouse, indoor production, and field settings to support the evolving needs of the breeding program. This position also supports cultivation activities as required and ensures all work is performed in compliance with Aurora's standard operating procedures (SOPs), applicable regulatory requirements, and occupational health and safety standards. 

Duties and Responsibilities:

•    Perform experimental procedures in plant breeding and production trials, including completing tasks related to propagation, production, post-harvest activities, and sensory analyses as required.
•    Assist in conducting biological, microbiological, and biochemical tests, as well as laboratory analyses, following established protocols and procedures.
•    Perform a range of technical functions in support of plant breeding and related production trials, including activities conducted in laboratory, greenhouse, indoor production, and field settings as required by the evolving priorities of the breeding program.
•    Collect breeding and phenotypic data following prescribed protocols; maintain accurate records and support data tracking, organization, preliminary analysis, and reporting activities as directed.
•    Assist with the development, documentation, and execution of experimental procedures and protocols for breeding and production trials.
•    Document new protocols and develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) as required.
•    Maintain accurate data entry and records within breeding software systems; support data organization, review, and the preparation of internal reports as required.
•    Support breeding program advancement by completing assigned project activities, maintaining timelines, and contributing to the achievement of program milestones.
•    Maintain project documentation, update project trackers, and ensure compliance documentation is completed accurately, on time, and in full.
•    Coordinate and track germplasm movements while maintaining accurate documentation to support the viability, traceability, and integrity of germplasm lots within assigned programs.
•    Provide technical support to breeding activities and support cultivation activities as required throughout various stages of the breeding cycle.
•    Adhere to Aurora's SOPs and Best Practices and comply with Health Canada's Cannabis Act and all applicable Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA) requirements.
•    Maintain and uphold proper hygiene practices to ensure personal and crop health and safety.
•    Perform other duties, responsibilities, and special projects as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

•    Knowledge of cannabis cultivation techniques, breeding methods, and plant biology.
•    Understanding of plant life cycle, genetics, plant health and crop care practices.
•    Familiarity with plant propagation methods including cloning, tissue culture, and other propagation related techniques.
•    Strong skills in data collection, analysis, record-keeping, and attention to detail. 
•    Strong computer skills, including proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and familiarity with statistical or data analysis software (e.g., R statistical software).
•    Familiarity with greenhouse environmental control systems.
•    Familiarity with integrated pest management (IPM) practices in cannabis cultivation.  
•    Understanding of regulatory requirements and compliance expectations related to cannabis cultivation and research activities.
•    Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize tasks, manage competing deadlines, and adapt to changing program requirements.
•    Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to identify issues, follow established processes, and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives.
•    Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a multidisciplinary breeding team.
•    Strong written and oral communications skills.
•    Ability and willingness to perform daily repetitive tasks with accuracy and consistency. 

Education & Experience:

•    Bachelor of Science in Biology, Genetics, or Horticulture, or a Bachelors in Agriculture or related discipline preferred. 
•    Minimum 3 years of experience supporting plant science, horticulture, agricultural research, plant breeding, greenhouse operations, or related technical environments.
•    Experience working with plant propagation techniques, including cloning, tissue culture, or other plant production methods, is considered an asset.
•    Experience with cannabis cultivation, plant breeding programs, genetics, or related research activities is considered an asset.

Working Conditions:

•    This is a fully on-site role that performs work across a variety of environments, including laboratory, greenhouse, indoor production, and field settings, depending on the priorities and requirements of the breeding program.
•    Full PPE in production area includes booties, coveralls, gloves, hairnet, glasses and surgical mask. 
•    Occasional physical effort is required, lifting, pushing, and pulling up to 30 lbs. 
•    Temperatures range from 20 degrees Celsius to 32 degrees Celsius. 
•    This position involves significant exposure to cannabis/plant materials, and it is therefore not likely suitable for an employee that may suffer from allergies to cannabis/plant pollen material, or experience other medical issues, such as asthma and hay fever, as a result of cannabis/plant material exposure. 

Next Steps

Apply today by submitting your resume through our website. You can expect your application to be reviewed by our Talent Acquisition Team and not an AI software/system. We will contact you if we see a fit via email.

Think you’re the ideal candidate but you don’t meet all the requirements? Apply anyways. We would love to review your application to see if you’re the right fit or find you an alternative opportunity. Not the role for you? Share this posting with your network while subscribing to our Talent Community to learn more about upcoming opportunities (if you are an Aurora employee, take advantage of the employee referral program by sharing this posting with someone in your network! If they are the successful candidate, you may be eligible for a bonus!).

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, Belonging and Accessibility

At Aurora, we are proud to foster and celebrate a diverse community of professionals! We take pride in nurturing an inclusive culture that empowers our people to be their authentic selves, celebrate their differences and love where they work.
Our diverse community combined with our inclusive culture, is what sets us apart in the industry and equips our A-Team with superpowers – and this is why, we encourage all candidates to apply for job opportunities regardless of race, national origin, colour, religion, age, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital and family status, disability, or any other identifying characteristic.

We value the unique skills and experience each person brings to Aurora and are committed to creating and maintaining an accessible environment. We are committed to the requirements of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act so if you require accommodation during the hiring process, please let our Human Resources team know by contacting us at hr.services@auroramj.com