Undergraduate Student Research Assistant; USRA; Student Co-Op

About Vitacore:

At Vitacore, we integrate cutting-edge research and technology with a profound commitment to sustainability and Innovation. Established in 2020, Vitacore is driven by our mission to develop transformative products and services that address critical global issues, ensuring ethical practices and effective outcomes for the betterment of humankind and the planet. Our journey began with a focus on the healthcare sector, where we became leaders in manufacturing recycling single-use protective equipment.

Today, we apply our expertise and innovative spirit to broader challenges, developing advanced technologies, sustainable practices, and innovative manufacturing processes that redefine what is possible across various industries.

About the Role:

Vitacore Industries is looking for a keen USRA undergraduate student who wants to work with an award-winning, globally recognized R&D team comprised of scientists, PhDs, and engineers. This student will have an appetite and aptitude for all things biochemistry and wants to gain real-life lab experience. The term length will be either 4 months or 8 months (depending on the Co-Op term) and will require in-person laboratory attendance.

Responsibilities include:

• Design, optimize, and execute PCR and qPCR experiments for short primer systems in low-literature or exploratory contexts, using systematic iteration of cycling parameters.
• Optimize PCR/qPCR conditions including annealing temperatures and durations, touchdown strategies, cycle numbers, and extension times to achieve robust and specific amplification.
• Develop and optimize qPCR assays targeting a range of viral and bacterial DNA sequences.
• Prepare and run agarose gel electrophoresis to validate PCR/qPCR products, including troubleshooting amplification and visualization issues.
• Analyze qPCR and gel electrophoresis results to confirm amplicon specificity, efficiency, and reproducibility.
• Maintain meticulous experimental records, including reagent preparation, tube mapping, cycling conditions, run outputs, and troubleshooting observations.
• Support assay development through methodical experimentation, data review, and iterative refinement of protocols.
• Contribute to the laboratory knowledge base by documenting optimized protocols and experimental learnings for future research and development efforts.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Post-secondary student currently in a Bachelor of Science program.
• Must be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or have refugee status (at this time due to IRCC regulations, international students with either a student or work visa are not eligible).
• Be willing to work in-person at the Burnaby laboratory.

Role Details:

• May 2026 to end of August 2026 (4-month placement) or May 2026 to December 2026 (8-month placement).
• $23.00 per hour.
• 10 paid days off, prorated for the calendar year.
• 9am to 5pm PST, 40 hour per week for 4 months or 8 months.
• Location - 3001 Wayburne Drive, Burnaby BC.

Vitacore Industries Inc. manufactures personal protective equipment for Canadian frontline workers, available on demand. Our facility houses state-of-the-art equipment to produce millions of respirators every month. Vitacore is committed to serving Canadians. All of our current and future PPE is made using a Canadian supply chain and quality Canadian materials. Our main customers are in the Health Care Industry supporting our long-term growth and sustainability.