Lab Technician - Materials Engineering

This position is a part of the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package which can be viewed at: Faculty & Staff Benefits .

Location

This is an in-person role and work primarily takes place at North Campus Edmonton.

Working for the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is teeming with change makers, community builders, and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to more than 40,000 students in 200+ undergraduate and 500+ graduate programs, over 13,000 faculty and staff, 260,000 alumni worldwide and have been recognized as one of Canada’s Greenest Employers for over a decade.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross section of people—from our students and stakeholders, to our renowned researchers and innovators who are quite literally curing diseases, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger, and more just.

Position

As a member of the Undergrad Support Services Team, the incumbent will primarily work to support and enhance the learning experience of the undergrad students especially in the laboratory components of the Materials Engineering program.

Duties

Managing and Planning Work 

• Convert instructions from Administration (student program requirements) and Faculty (research program requirements) into a work schedule 
• Set up and/or negotiate priorities
• Recommend build vs. buy decisions based on time/funding availability. This would require preliminary design work and consultation with:
• Machine shop on mechanical construction (materials, time, scheduling)
• Vendors to get quotes for new equipment/experiments
• Monitor suppliers’ capabilities (bring in equipment for demonstrations and/or check availability, delivery times of parts & equipment)

Teaching & Teaching Support 

• Train users on the safe and correct use of laboratory equipment for undergraduate lab courses in Materials Engineering 
• Set up lab equipment and/or software for the lab and be available to troubleshoot and resolve equipment, system and/or software issues
• Ensure that the grad student LIs and TAs are appropriately prepared/trained before their labs and be available to provide additional assistance/training to them if needed 
• Set lab schedule within existing timetables and coordinate with other lab instructors and technicians where labs alternate between courses 
• Train teaching assistants to support the labs, set grad student TA schedules
• Be familiar enough with the course material of the labs assigned to be able to be an extra TA for the students during busy times, or to fill in when there is an absence 
• Maintain all lab documentation including lab manuals and grading rubrics and ensure that the current version is passed on to the teaching team each term
• Assist in the development and maintenance of online course content for the course websites
• Recommend equipment upgrades or expansion in consultation with the course instructor for the evolution of the student labs
• Work closely with the Faculty and Graduate teaching assistants to ensure the best experience for the undergraduate students
• Assist in the development of new lab assignments in consultation with the course Faculty instructor

Maintenance, Troubleshooting, Repair and Testing of Equipment 

• When equipment breaks down, troubleshoot to discover the source of the failure and take appropriate action to repair the equipment if possible or recommend alternate action based on time/funding available 
• Test and calibrate equipment for correct operation and act as required for equipment maintenance 
• Maintain computers, evaluate, and install computer software associated with the undergraduate student labs within Materials Engineering 
• Develop innovative hardware and software solutions to meet ever-changing needs of staff and students 
• Identify hardware, software and system problems, resolve and document solutions 
• Maintain equipment inventory

Laboratory Safety and First Aid

• Keep current on occupational, health and safety regulations for the labs
• Ensure that lab safety rules and regulations are respected, and that safety equipment maintenance is up-to-date
• Ensure that equipment in the labs meet safety standards and are maintained and run properly 
• Maintain current 1st aid & CPR Certificate, administer first aid to students and staff if/as required
• Fill out appropriate forms for all incidents in the lab 
• Maintain database of chemicals used for Undergraduate student labs and Hazards assessment of equipment in labs

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Materials Engineering (or related area such as Metallurgical Engineering or Mineral Processing Engineering), or technical degree with 4 years of experience in research and/or teaching environments 
• Experience in the field of Mineral Processing and/or Materials Engineering 
• Interest in analytical techniques dealing with materials characterization and identification of solids samples (techniques including but not limited to X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), X-Rays Fluorescence Spectroscopy (XRF), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Optical Microscopy)
• A mechanical aptitude is desirable
• Preparation of samples for metallographic analysis, scanning electron microscopy, compositional analysis, and mechanical testing
• Experience with public speaking or teaching/instruction is a definite asset
• Excellent communications skills in English is a requirement 
• Ability to troubleshoot problems with hardware, equipment and software 
• Has a detailed understanding of the interrelationships among the systems, networks, and various hardware and software components to address problems that arise 
• A team player
• Ability to co-operate and communicate with people from all cultures 

Along with your resume, please submit a cover letter that outlines why you believe you are the right person for this position. Applications received without a cover letter will not be considered.

Note: Online applications are accepted until midnight Mountain Standard Time of the closing date.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.