Chief Nuclear Officer

• Master’s degree in Nuclear Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
• Additional certifications or qualifications related to nuclear safety, operations, or management are an asset.
• A minimum of 15 years of experience in the nuclear industry, with at least 7 years in a senior leadership role (e.g., Nuclear Plant Manager, Director of Nuclear Operations).
• In-depth knowledge of nuclear safety regulations, licensing, and operations.
• Proven track record in risk management, compliance, and regulatory affairs.

Job Description

Reporting to the Associate Vice-President Research (Nuclear), the Chief Nuclear Officer (CNO) has overall responsibility and leadership of McMaster’s nuclear facilities. The CNO supports the maintenance, and implementation of McMaster’s Strategic Nuclear Plan in collaboration with senior leaders, aligning it with the University’s research, educational, operational, commercial, and reputational goals.

McMaster’s nuclear operation has earned a high profile, both nationally and internationally, as one of the largest university‑based research reactors. The McMaster Nuclear Reactor (MNR), in concert with other nuclear focused operations and facilities, supports research across a range of disciplines, from biological and medical research and the production of medical isotopes—one of only two primary global producers of iodine‑125, a radioisotope used to treat prostate cancer—to materials irradiations and neutron beam science.

The Chief Nuclear Officer (CNO) shall provide strategic, technical and administrative leadership to the University’s nuclear facilities, ensuring their safe, compliant and sustainable operation and their optimal deployment. The CNO will work closely with nuclear related research institutes and core platforms in the Office of the VP Research, ensuring their effective and sustainable operation and promotion with internal and external partners.

Accountabilities

Strategic Planning and Oversight for Nuclear Activities and Initiatives

• Champions the University’s vision for nuclear‑based innovation and partnered research, translating it into both short‑ and long‑term operational plans.
• Inform, maintain, and implement the University’s Strategic Nuclear Plan to establish and achieve the University’s research, educational, commercial, and reputational goals related to the institution‑wide nuclear enterprise, in furtherance of the University’s research and education mission.
• Collaborate with other senior leaders and build networks and partnerships across the campus to drive MNE operations that align with the University’s Strategic Nuclear Plan and broader innovation agenda.
• Oversees strategic and operational leadership of the numerous nuclear operations and facilities, ensuring alignment with relevant initiatives and managing resources, budgets, and director‑level staff to drive a high‑performing and sustainable organization with a nuclear safety and accountability culture.
• Advise the AVPR (Nuclear) on nuclear‑related policy and operations strategies that focuses on leading the institutional response to nuclear‑related issues and ensuring the senior leadership team have the necessary guidance and support.

Leads the monitoring, reviewing, and advising on emerging nuclear‑related opportunities and initiatives, exploring options to embrace new and emerging technologies or partnerships, and providing advice on opportunities, challenges, and appropriate protocols for pursuing any such initiatives.

Enterprise‑Wide Risk Management, Safety, and Accountability

• Applicant Authority on all Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) licenses, ranging from the Class I McMaster Nuclear Reactor and Class II McMaster University Cyclotron to Nuclear Substances and Radiation Devices and Import‑Export licenses that are used by more than 1,200 individuals to perform nuclear activities both on and off campus.
• Establishes and champions a safety‑first culture across all nuclear operational activities involving the University’s facilities, partnerships, and collaborations, shaping open, respectful, transparent, and engaged policies, practices, and relationships.
• Determines and directs best‑in‑class approaches to nuclear safety, security, and environmental stewardship to ensure the protection of students, staff, faculty, visitors, the community, and the environment.
• Authorizes all regulatory, licensing, reporting, and compliance matters relating to the University’s nuclear operations, facilities, and related initiatives, ensuring adherence to applicable standards and frameworks.
• Drives strategy to identify, mitigate, and manage risks associated with the University’s nuclear operations and facilities, while innovating approaches to advance proactive risk mitigation.
• Leads the University’s response to nuclear‑related issues or concerns, championing safety and security as institutional priorities.

Advancing Research and Scholarship

Collaborates with the AVPR (Nuclear) and the Research and Education team to shape strategies that respond to the evolving research funding environment and its opportunities and challenges.

• Partners with a diverse and broad range of university constituents including the Deans, Associate Deans (Research), Chairs, and others to drive collaborative and forward‑thinking solutions and support for research innovation and partnerships.
• Collaborates with AVPR (Nuclear) on operational alignment between the University’s nuclear research priorities and external partners, including industry and government.
• Determines the operational capabilities of new large‑scale, multi‑disciplinary, partnered research initiatives that align with institutional research priorities.

Advancing Service Delivery: Operational Excellence

• Works collaboratively and communicates effectively with senior leaders, faculty, and other key stakeholders to understand their perspectives and needs and works closely with them to provide relevant services and ensure client satisfaction.
• Drives the delivery of client service across McMaster’s nuclear operations and facilities to achieve excellence in operational responsiveness and quality.
• Establishes and integrates strategic and annual work plans that align with the expectations and vision of the AVP Research (Nuclear).
• Shapes internal workflows, systems, and processes to enhance efficiency and productivity across the nuclear enterprise.
• Drives strategy best practices and standard operating procedures across departments to ensure operational excellence.
• Authorizes all activities related to the aging management and decommissioning of nuclear facilities, including oversight of decommissioning funds held for MNR.
• Leads the development of a professional, service‑focused culture within the nuclear operations and facilities to ensure the safe, efficient, and optimal use of McMaster’s nuclear facilities in support of research and innovation, academic programming, and medical isotope production.

Determines and directs budgeting and financial strategies for McMaster’s nuclear facilities, by developing an integrated plan and budget to enable an enterprise‑wide perspective on nuclear‑related expenditures, plans, and priorities.

• Oversees the compilation and reporting of performance indicators and benchmarks, working with directors to develop operational strategies and inform decision‑making.
• Shapes workforce strategies across the operational units, ensuring effective staffing and operational success.

Partnerships and External Engagement

• Establishes and fosters relationships with local and national Indigenous agencies regarding existing and future nuclear activities at McMaster University, while ensuring that adequate resources and capabilities are in place to support the safe operation of all McMaster nuclear facilities, including preparedness and response to any nuclear emergency or event involving the university, its external partners, or the City of Hamilton.

Identifies, establishes, and fosters key strategic partnerships relevant to the implementation of the Strategic Nuclear Plan with the private sector, government, other institutions, and industry associations, both nationally and internationally.

• Acts as one of the University’s key representatives for strategic and operational nuclear‑related matters, collaborating with other senior leaders to champion and maintain external relationships.
• Establishes and sustains positive and effective relationships with community partners to strengthen trust and collaboration.

Provides strategic advice and analysis, driving innovation and partnership opportunities in alignment with the University’s strategic goals.

Integrates Equity, Diversity, Inclusivity, and Indigeneity principles in the nuclear operations.

Championing Diversity and Inclusion

• Determines the ongoing development of staff and provides for an inclusive and productive work environment.

Encourages a culture of service, support, and problem‑solving in support of the University’s core academic and research mission, and works to foster positive interpersonal and intergroup relations, and a culture of respect and inclusion.

Nuclear Operations Security Provisions

Security clearances and background checks are necessary due to the sensitive nature of the nuclear facility’s operations and regulatory licensing (Nuclear Safety Control Act) requirements. As a condition of employment for this Appointment, you must successfully complete the appropriate and necessary security screenings / clearances (documentation will follow in a separate email). You will be advised in writing by the University whether this condition has been met upon the University’s receipt of the results. If you are unsuccessful in these processes, you will not be able to meet the job requirements and therefore any offer of employment will be rescinded or will result in your employment with the University will be terminated.

Being a Nuclear Energy Worker

You will be declared a Nuclear Energy Worker. Given the nature of the work environment where you will be performing your duties, which includes entering and working in radiological hazardous environments, the University requires the use of protective equipment such as respirators, protective clothing, and gloves, as necessary to enter these areas. The University is committed to fostering a safe and healthy work environment.

Pay Transparency Statement

The posted hiring range represents McMaster's typical hiring range for this position. Actual starting salary will depend on factors such as relevant experience, qualifications, internal equity, and market conditions.

Individuals with extensive experience, deep specialized expertise, and/or those who can demonstrate exceptional past performance, as applicable, may be hired at a higher rate within the full range, in accordance with the University compensation policies.

Employment Equity Statement

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.

The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.

The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.

As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self‑identification in relation to equity‑seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information.

Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:

Flexible Work Arrangements

To ensure an ongoing and vibrant University community that meets the needs of our students, staff and faculty and supports the University mission, ability to work on‑site continues to be a requirement for most University positions. The University is supportive of exploring flexible work arrangements that effectively balance operational needs and employee interests.