RECRUITMENT
Join our team!
Seasonal Hiring
iGEM Guelph is always looking for passionate students to join our team. Every season, we hire new teammates to contribute to our innovative projects and help advance the field of synthetic biology.
Members are hired for a specific team but will collaborate with other teams through the completion of multi-disciplinary projects and by taking on additional roles such as Human Practices Representative. This is a great opportunity to hone and broaden your technical skills, work within an interdisciplinary team, and expand your professional network. Learn more about the open positions and apply below! Contact us at igem@uoguelph.ca if you have any questions.
RESEARCH
WET LAB
Modelling Team Members contribute to the completion of the modelling project. The Modelling team develops mathematical and computational models to support the Wet Lab team by predicting, characterizing, and explaining the behaviour of genetic systems. Models may be mathematical or computational representations of gene expression, protein function, and cell, system, or process behaviours depending on the needs of the Wet Lab team.
Core Responsibilities
- Complete tasks as assigned by the Modelling Team Lead and Director of Wet Lab.
- Maintain open communications with the Modelling Team Lead.
- Attend and actively participate in all relevant meetings including modelling and team-wide meetings.
- Collaborate with Software to achieve project goals.
- Manage the organization of departmental documents and resources.
- Attend and actively participate in all relevant meetings including executive, PI, departmental, and team-wide meetings.
- Complete deliverables including presentations, administrative forms, and wiki pages.
Required Qualifications
- Foundational understanding of modelling methods and tools relevant to synthetic biology.
- Willingness to learn and collaborate within an interdisciplinary team.
- Interest in modelling and synthetic biology.
Preferred Qualifications
- Strong understanding of modelling methods and experience using modelling tools relevant to synthetic biology.
- Experience working with: Python, MATLAB, R
Time Commitment
- 5-10 hours per week
TECHNOLOGY
ENGINEERING
The Director of Engineering is responsible for maintaining hardware team activities including funding and resource procurement, communications external to the Dry Lab team, project timelines, project definition, and team management. They must have experience with the design process and excel in leadership and project management.
Core Responsibilities
- Define and execute hardware projects in collaboration with other teams.
- Manage communications and partnerships with UofG and external organizations and procure funding, materials, equipment, services, and online tools as required to complete engineering activities.
- Manage the Hardware team, resolve team conflicts, facilitate inter-team communication and collaboration, organize meetings, and delegate tasks.
- Create and enforce project specific timelines and ensure deliverables meet iGEM standards and requirements.
Required Qualifications
- Experience in leadership roles and project management.
- Strong oral and written communication skills.
- Team player with strong interpersonal skills.
- Strong understanding of the design process and willingness to learn.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in a laboratory setting.
- Knowledge of and/or experience with microbiology, optics/light systems, vertical farming, biosensing, and/or food processing.
Time Commitment
- 10-20 hours/week
Engineering Team Members contribute to the completion of the hardware project.
Core Responsibilities
- Complete tasks assigned by the Director of Engineering.
- Maintain open communications with the team.
- Collaborate with Software to achieve project goals.
- Attend and actively participate in all relevant meetings.
Required Qualifications
- Foundational understanding of the design process.
- Willingness to learn and collaborate within an interdisciplinary team.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in a laboratory setting.
- Knowledge of and/or experience with microbiology, optics/light systems, vertical farming, biosensing, and/or food processing.
Time Commitment
- 5-10 hours/week
Human Practices Representatives ensure that engineering projects are safe, ethical, and impactful. They conduct research, interview stakeholders and experts, and support other activities that identify the impacts of the engineering projects. This information is used to inform decisions throughout the projects' development and execution. These responsibilities are completed in addition to the responsibilities associated with the Engineering Team Member position.
Core Responsibilities
- Define and execute hardware projects in collaboration with other teams.
- Manage communications and partnerships with UofG and external organizations and procure funding, materials, equipment, services, and online tools as required to complete engineering activities.
- Manage the Hardware team, resolve team conflicts, facilitate inter-team communication and collaboration, organize meetings, and delegate tasks.
- Create and enforce project specific timelines and ensure deliverables meet iGEM standards and requirements.
- Manage the organization of departmental documents and resources.
- Attend and actively participate in all relevant meetings including executive, PI, departmental, and team-wide meetings.
- Complete deliverables including presentations, administrative forms, and wiki pages.
Required Qualifications
- Passion for social responsibility.
- Strong interpersonal skills and strong oral and written communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience communicating with the public.
Time Commitment
- 5-20 hours/week
COMMUNITY
OUTREACH
The Media Team manages all visual and digital communication for iGEM Guelph. They ensure the team's work is clearly, creatively, and accurately represented across platforms. This position is ideal for graphic designers, video editors, illustrators, content creators, photographers, and anyone with strong aesthetic/visual communication skills.
Core Responsibilities
- Manage and update all social media platforms.
- Design graphics, posters, and promotional materials.
- Create videos and illustrated content explaining the project.
- Capture photos and videos at team events, outreach activities, and lab work.
- Collaborate closely with the Marketing/Business team for branding consistency.
- Support other teams (Events, Education, Wet Lab) with media needs.
- Attend bi-weekly team meetings and outreach-planning meetings.
Required Qualifications
- Ability to meet weekly deadlines and communicate consistently.
- Basic experience with at least one of the following:
- Graphic design
- Video editing
- Illustration
- Videography/Photography
- Comfortable using design tools (e.g., Canva, Adobe Suite, Procreate, etc.).
- Strong attention to detail and creativity.
- Ability to work collaboratively with the Marketing/Business, Events and Education team.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience planning or coordinating events (school clubs, residence life, fundraisers, workshops, etc.).
- Familiarity with budget planning or working with finance teams.
- Creative idea generation for event themes and engagement strategies.
- Experience working with community partners or campus organizations.
- Strong problem-solving skills especially during fast-paced event execution.
Time Commitment
- 2-5 hours/week, plus additional time for major events, deadlines, etc.
BUSINESS
The finance working group manages the team's budget and is vital for our operational documentation . They work closely with all departments to manage spending, record-keeping, and reimbursements. Their collaboration with the Corporate Working Group ensures enough funding has been procured for iGEM Guelph's planned operations.
Core Responsibilities
- Produce monthly financial statements for External and Research accounts
- Documenting receipts and invoices
- Conduct check-ins with exec and the staff advisor to review account records
- Prepare and manage team wide budget to ensure funds are appropriately allocated
- Work closely with other departments for purchasing
- Work closely with the Outreach Department and Corporate Working Group for fundraising initiatives
Required Qualifications
- Successful completion of 2 semesters at the University of Guelph as a B.Comm student
- Advance skills in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Power Point, Word)
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with bookkeeping and financial management
- Accounting or Management Economics and Finance majors
- Demonstrated experience implementing process improvements
Time Commitment
- 3-4 hours/week
The entrepreneurship working group bridges the research and development of the team to real world applications on the market. Through consultations, analysis, and strategic development a business plan and marketing strategy will provide direction for the projects maximal impact. This team will present the project in entrepreneurial case competitions and work with the corporate working group for pitches to prospective investors.
Core Responsibilities
- Turning research into a marketable solution
- Developing a business plan and marketing strategy
- Develop pitches for competitions
- Conduct stakeholder consultations and marketing analysis
Required Qualifications
- Successful completion of 2 semesters at the University of Guelph (B.Comm preferred)
- Advance skills in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Power Point, Word)
- Experience in pitch presentations
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in project management
- Strong LinkedIn Presence
- Start-up experience
- Grade 12 science
Time Commitment
- 3-4 hours/week
Help secure lasting partnerships and procure funding for the team's long-lasting operational success. Team members are responsible for grant applications, building a relevant network for club activities, cold-call for sponsorships and organize pitch presentations for grants and investors. The Corporate Team also collaborates with the Events team for outreach and fundraising initiatives through ideation and administrative support.
Core Responsibilities
- Secure essential partnerships and sponsorships
- Grant writing and applications
- Building a network relevant to club activities via. cold calls and networking
- Coordinate planning and logistics with the Outreach department
Required Qualifications
- Successful completion of 2 semesters at the University of Guelph as a B.Comm student
- Advance skills in Microsoft Office applications (Excel, Power Point, Word)
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with bookkeeping and financial management
- Accounting or Management Economics and Finance majors
- Demonstrated experience implementing process improvements
Time Commitment
- 3-4 hours/week