Job Description

Department

Faculty of Engineering - Chemical and Materials Engineering Dept

Salary range

$50,304.62 to $67,374.52

Hours per week

40

Grade

6

Posted date

May 22, 2025

Closing date

May 29, 2025

Position Type

Full Time - Trust Funded

Description

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This competition is open to all applicants however; internal candidates and applicants who were former employees of the University of Alberta will be given priority consideration before external candidates. Please log in to verify your internal candidate status.


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


This position has a term length of one year plus one day from the date of hire and offers a comprehensive benefits package.

Location -

This role is in-person. Work primarily takes place at North Campus, Edmonton.

Working at 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, Metis, Inuit and all First Peoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.


The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.


Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people -- from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just.

Learn more

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Working for the

Department of Chemical & Material Engineering

The Department of Chemical & Material Engineering at the University of Alberta recognizes that our people are and will continue to be our greatest strength. We celebrate creativity, diversity, perseverance, and a cooperative spirit. The Department has excellent teaching and research. Exceeding 500 Undergraduate students, 300+ Graduate students and 50 faculty members, including many award-winning researchers and teachers, and with world-class facilities and diverse research and education programs, we are one of the top Chemical and Materials departments in Canada.

Position

This position is part of Dr. Arno de Klerk's industrial research group, which focuses on proprietary, industry-sponsored projects primarily related to coal, biomass/waste, and oilsands bitumen upgrading. The role involves moderate supervision and includes tasks such as designing, building, commissioning, and operating pilot plants, as well as conducting laboratory analyses. Ensuring safety compliance and developing standard procedures are key responsibilities. The Research Assistant will support technical report writing, collaborate with university and industry partners, and may be required to work nights or weekends as needed.

Duties

Prepare feed materials as needed; Design, commission and construct equipment in accordance with the project scope; Perform maintenance on the pilot plant units already within the group; Develop Standard Operation Procedures for each new method developed during the project; Run the pilot plants ensuring that all the parameters are in accordance with the project scope; Collect samples from pilot plants ensuring that all the safety measures are in place at all time; Execute standardized and non-standardized tests procedures for samples analyses; Work weekends and/or overnight when it is necessary; Write technical reports to principal investigator and industrial partners; Present the results in technical meetings with industrial partners.

Minimum Qualifications

BSc degree is a minimum, with preference given to a BSc in chemical engineering. MSc in chemical engineering, or past experience in conducting experimental work as described is preferred; Equivalent combinations of education and experience will be considered.

Preferred Qualifications

Previous experience in designing, constructing and/or running a pilot plant is a strong asset; Familiarity with analyses like gas chromatography, density measurement, viscosity measurement, titrations, 1H-NMR, and thermal analysis techniques is an asset; Demonstrated ability to write and present technical reports; Good communication skills (verbal and written); Ability to work in team involving both University and Industrial sponsors; Ability to conduct the work with minimum of supervision; Strong ability to manage time and deal with work with limited timelines for execution and to meet deadlines.


At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.


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



All University employees have a responsibility to foster a workplace that prioritizes safety in all its forms--physical, cultural, and psychological. This is achieved by promoting a safe environment, adhering to all safety laws, policies and procedures, completing all required safety training, identifying hazards and implementing controls, reporting incidents, and contributing to a culture of inclusivity and respect, while endeavoring to ensure that all colleagues feel valued and safe to express their thoughts, perspectives and concerns.



The University of Alberta is committed to creating a university community where everyone feels valued, barriers to success are removed, and thriving connections are fostered. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women, First Nations, Metis and Inuit persons, members of visible minority groups, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply.



L'Universite de l'Alberta s'engage a creer une communaute universitaire ou chaque personne se sent valorisee, ou les obstacles a la reussite sont elimines et ou des connexions enrichissantes peuvent se developper. Nous accueillons les demandes de toutes les personnes qualifiees. Nous encourageons les femmes; Premieres nations, Metis et Inuits; membres des groupes minoritaires visibles; personnes handicapees; personnes ayant une orientation sexuelle ou une identite et une expression sexospecifique; et tous ceux qui peuvent contribuer a la diversification des idees et a l'universite a postuler.

Note:

This opportunity will be available until midnight May 29, 2025, Edmonton, Alberta local time.