City : Waterloo, ON

Category : Temporary

Industry : Education

Employer : University of Waterloo

Term: 1 year 

The Structures, Materials, Concrete, and Fatigue Technologist will be responsible for the effective delivery of undergraduate teaching laboratories, graduate student research, and data acquisition. In supporting undergraduate teaching, the position involves planning, developing, and delivering undergraduate laboratories, assisting students in carrying out projects and supporting undergraduate capstone projects. With respect to graduate testing and research, activities include application of appropriate health and safety measures, quality assurance and quality control. Other activities include assisting graduate students in the assembly, construction, deployment, and troubleshooting of research apparatus / instrumentation, and participating in testing and data collection.

Undergraduate Laboratory Instruction and Maintenance

• Responsible for the safety of all users of the Structures, Materials, Concrete, and Fatigue labs. This includes ordering safety materials, cleaning up work areas, removal and proper disposal of refuse, and overseeing user clean up
• Provide laboratory instruction, when required, for undergraduate teaching labs
• Prepare lab equipment and order supplies required for conducting teaching labs
• Make improvements to existing experiments and exercises so they are more suitable for achieving educational goals in the context of a civil engineering education
• Work with other technical staff and teaching assistants to ensure that all experiments in all courses work properly before classes meet
• Assist and instruct undergraduate students and teaching assistants (TAs) in the use of specialized testing equipment within the Structures, Materials, Concrete, and Fatigue, and other CEE labs
• Train users in the correct use of servo hydraulic test systems, calibration of sensors, and verification of proper equipment operation, so that predetermined operational standards are maintained
• Provide testing and data acquisition training to undergraduate students, TAs, and faculty, as required, so that simple modifications to data acquisition programs may be performed
• Undertake construction, fabrication, test set-up, repair, trouble-shooting, problem-solving, test modification, equipment calibration, evaluation and handling of research and test equipment
• Provide technical assistance in all CEE labs, as required
• Keep current with test standards, teaching methodologies, and modern equipment
• Assist in equipment procurement planning and evaluation, maintenance, and upgrades in the SMCF labs, including the set-up, repair and maintenance of the servo hydraulic system
• Co-ordinate and liaise with other technical staff on laboratory activities

Assist with Research Activities

• Provide technical support for graduate students and researchers in the construction, deployment, troubleshooting, and analysis of field and laboratory experimental test setups and data collection
• Train users in the correct use of servo hydraulic test systems, calibration of sensors, and verification of proper equipment operation, so that predetermined operational standards are consistently maintained
• Undertake construction, fabrication, test set-up, repair, trouble-shooting, problem-solving, test modification, equipment calibration, evaluation and handling of research and test equipment
• Periodically complete field assignments, acting as onsite safety officer, technical lead, and assisting in data collection
• Provide instruction and technical guidance in the application of QA/QC protocols for specific test methods
• Manufacture and fabricate research apparatus / instrumentation
• Maintain continuity of activities during transition periods from one grad student to another
• Review technical literature, identify, and help select laboratory and field equipment / software that will satisfy present and future research needs

Health, Safety & Environment (HSE)

• Act as the HSE supervisor for undergraduate laboratories and field trips
• Responsible for the establishment of safe field and laboratory practices for all lab users, working closely with the Departmental HSE Coordinator
• Understand and manage the hazards of the lab and field environment and ensure that students are implementing appropriate safety measures, and when applicable, wearing appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Assist with and maintain laboratory safety inspections
• Develop and review job hazard analyses, standard operating practices (SOPs), field risk assessments, and laboratory risk assessments
• Complete and maintain all HSE training required for the position, including first aid certification

Other

• As requested, participate on departmental, faculty and university committees
• Assist with the setup and running of departmental competitions and special events: Capstone Design Symposium, Design Days, Explorations, open houses, and student design teams
• Work collaboratively with the other technologists on the team
• Undertake other duties as assigned by their manager

• 3+ year Technologist diploma in Civil, Mechanical, or Instrumentation Engineering Technology, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• 3-5 years of experience in a research or related industrial setting
• Knowledge and experience in destructive structural testing and materials testing
• Proficient knowledge of instrumentation and data collection systems and methods
• Strong computer skills
• Ability to manage multiple, competing priorities
• Ability to maintain attention to detail in a fast paced, multitasking environment
• Flexible in assisting with new tasks as assigned
• Excellent written and oral communications
• Excellent organizational, time management, interpersonal, and analytical skills
• Experience working with hand and power tools
• Valid G Driver’s License required
• Experience in lab course development and instruction an asset
• First aid certification is an asset

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is co-ordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion.  As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca  or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.