Summer Student Research Assistant, Plastics Circularity

Updated: 23 days ago
Location: Edmonton Meadows, ALBERTA

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Summer Student Research Assistant, Plastics Circularity
Job ID #1994
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Job Information


Positions Available

2

Closing Date

6 Apr 2024

Type

Casual

Location

Edmonton AB

Remote Option

None

Department

Ovintiv Chair Operations

School

Industry Solutions

Campus

Main Campus


Detailed Job Description

In order to ensure your application is received by NAIT for thorough review and consideration, please apply directly through our Careers site at  www.nait.ca/careers

 

NOTE: This is a temporary position from May 1, 2024 and ending on or before August 30, 2024.

 

The Clean Technology team at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) supports industry and community partners in achieving their sustainability goals through the development and application of technologies rooted in circular economy principles.

Led by Dr. Justice Asomaning, Ovintiv Applied Research Chair in Energy, The Clean Technologies team is a diverse, inclusive, highly multidisciplinary group of professionals and students with experience and backgrounds in environmental science, applied chemistry, analytical chemistry, and chemical engineering.

We are looking forward to welcoming Summer Students. The successful students will join our team and have an opportunity to learn and work on a high-profile applied research projects that aims to develop a platform to create plastics materials that incorporate post-consumer recycled plastics, and cleaning methods to facilitate downstream reuse/recycling of beehive foundations. The Summer Students will learn and apply laboratory techniques required to characterize both virgin and post-consumer plastics industrial samples, laboratory-scale equipment to create new plastic materials, and techniques to test their chemical, mechanical, and thermal properties. These projects, funded by Heartland Polymers, Alberta Innovates, and Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR), will also offer significant opportunities to learn and apply principles of experimental design and optimization, as well as data analysis. One of these projects is part of the Plastics Research in Action program. Find out more about the program here: https://www.nait.ca/pria

The ideal candidates are adventurous, highly motivated, team-oriented individuals who thrive in a multidisciplinary supportive learning and working environment. Our team provides a highly inclusive team environment to all, and we seek individuals who are comfortable with failure, have patience, are tenacious, have a sense of humor, and are driven by passion for hands-on learning. Curious about what’s it like to be a Summer Student with our team? Check out these YouTube videos !

 

Key Responsibilities:

  • Prepare plastics samples through extrusion and or injection molding techniques for chemical, thermal, and mechanical analysis.
  • Development of cleaning methods to facilitate downstream reuse/recycling of beehive foundations.
  • Assist with the polymer processing, and characterization of polymer products using laboratory- based techniques such as:
    • Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
    • Elemental Analysis
    • Thermal Gravimetric Analysis/ Differential Scanning Calorimetry (TGA/DSC)
    • Tensile testing
    • Flexural testing
    • Izod impact testing
    • Dynamic Mechanical Analysis
  • Write reports/presentations summarizing the data obtained using Word, Excel, and Power Point.
  • Communicate results and observations effectively between project teams and industry partners as needed.
  • Assist team with method development and internal validation.
  • Collaborate in meetings, troubleshooting activities, and prototype optimization.
  • Acquire data and compile data in Excel.

 

Skills & Abilities:

  • Willingness to learn
  • Desire to challenge yourself
  • Attention to detail and strong problem-solving skills are major assets.

 

Qualifications:

  • Must be able to work full-time from May 01, 2024, to August 30, 2024.
  • Must be enrolled at NAIT or other post-secondary institution (College, University or Polytechnic) in Nanotechnology, Chemical Technology, Chemical Engineering Technology, or equivalent programs.
  • Experience and technical skills are considered secondary to willingness to learn and the desire to challenge yourself. 
  • Understanding of lab safety guidelines and best practices including WHIMS, and Occupational Health & Safety guidelines considered an asset.
  • Class 5 driver’s license and willingness to travel is an asset.

 

Remuneration: $17.48 - $21.69 per hour, plus 12% in lieu of statutory holidays and vacation pay. (Classification – Student Research Assistant l).                           

This position is covered by the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) Collective Agreement.                  

Please submit a resume and cover letter to be considered for this opportunity.

 

About NAIT

At NAIT, people matter.

We’re proud to have been named one of Alberta’s Top Employers  for 13 consecutive years. Developing an engaging, supportive, and rewarding work culture is something we take seriously. We know that people are our biggest asset – they are what makes NAIT a great place to work.   

At NAIT, you are part of a community that makes a difference in the lives of students, staff and industry clients and partners. The NAIT culture reflects our shared values of respect, collaboration, celebration, creativity, and accountability. We are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion  and are a proud partner of the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion  and Pride at Work Canada.  NAIT is committed to advancing equity and cultivating inclusion throughout the hiring process. We especially encourage applications from Aboriginal and Indigenous people, Black and racialized people, gender and sexually diverse (2SLGBTQIA+ and women) people, immigrants, and people with disabilities.

 

What we offer

We’ve created a benefits package that focuses on health and wellness, professional and personal growth, recognition, and work-life balance.

NAIT is a flexible workplace and depending on the nature of your role, you may request flexible work arrangements with respect to where and when you work, including being on-campus full-time, working off-site, or a combination of the two. 

Employees also have access to excellent vacation time, paid time off between Christmas and New Year's, a strong recognition program, learning opportunities, 2 annual all-staff professional development days and so much more. 

 

Additional requirements

Applicants with education credentials earned outside of Canada who have not had them previously assessed should have their credentials evaluated by World Education Services or the International Qualifications Assessment Service  (IQAS)

www.alberta.ca/iqas-contact.aspx.

 

Accommodations

NAIT is an inclusive employer and strives to hire a diverse workforce. If you are contacted by us regarding a job opportunity, please don’t hesitate to contact us if you require any accommodation during the selection process. Please contact us via email at [email protected].

 

We thank you for your application, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.


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