Tornado, Regional Research Institute to stage recruitment drive

The next step is to find the scientists and researchers to execute it.

On Tuesday officials from Tornado Medical Systems and the Thunder Bay Regional Research Institute announced they will stage a recruitment drive on Friday at the Community Economic Development Commission offices, hoping to attract the region’s best and brightest.

Stefan Larson, Tornado’s CEO said they’re looking for everyone from entry-level applicants fresh out of school to experienced engineers and scientists, especially those with medical device background.
 
He’s confident the talent can be found in the city.

“I certainly see Thunder Bay as home to a lot of engineers and scientists, especially with the hospital and TBRRI, Lakehead University and the college, etc. It’s a well-educated population. We’re also seeing an interesting trend where we’re getting a lot of applications and resumes from former Thunder Bay residents who are out either in the west or in southern Ontario who want to come back to Thunder Bay.”

TMS has 20 employees in four locations and specializes in digital imaging and spectroscopy equipment design. They’re looking to add at least 10 more in Thunder Bay alone at their lab, expected to open next month in the Whalen Building.
 
TBRRI CEO Michael Power compared the emerging medical research market in the city to countries like South Korea and Israel, the latter of which has more U.S. patents than any other county in the world.
 
“It is what Northwestern Ontario could and should be over time,” Power said.
Radiologist Jae Kim said the collaboration between the hospital and TBRRI is a shining example of the collaborative possibilities that are available, turning ideas into big business and hitting the open market on a global scale.

It also helps put Thunder Bay ahead of the curve in an economy that has cities small and large on the hunt for new opportunities.

It’s the way of the future, Kim said, pointing to South Korea and Israel as examples of how it can work.

“Both countries have no natural resources whatsoever, and yet have a great amount of wealth that comes from knowledge. That’s exactly the kind of mentality and effort that should be going on in Canada,” Kim said.

“With the Internet you can establish yourself anywhere at any time and be fully connected. One must always think on a global level.”

TMS will open its doors from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Friday, with an eye on junior and senior-level software developers, electrical, mechanical and optical engineers and experienced project managers located in the city.

A special presentation about the company and its plans will be held at noon.