Earth Sample Processing Laboratory Technician

Description

The Technical Operations Group in the Faculty of Science is currently seeking a Full-time Regular Earth Sample Processing Laboratory Technician.

The SPL technician provides technical support to faculty, students, other technical support staff, and external clients in the processing of geologic materials for teaching and research. The SPL Technicians work varies from simple to moderately complex tasks, with significant attention to detail and a sense of craft sometimes required. The SPL technician reports to the Technical Support Services Manager.

The work mainly involves the operation and maintenance of equipment that is used to process geologic samples in a variety of fashions (e.g. crushing/sieving samples into various size ranges, rock coring, rock cutting and polishing thin sections for slide mounting) for various types of subsequent analyses (e.g. microscope viewing, X-ray diffraction, geo/thermochronology lab, microprobe, among others). The SPL technician may also train personnel in some techniques. The equipment in the SPL facility currently includes a Logitech® lapping machine, various polishing wheels, rock saws, jaw crushers, grinders, disc mills, sieve shaker, core drill press, rock press, sample-crushing table, core cutters, and particle size analyzers. The SPL technician needs to be a leader in safety; ensuring safe operations and procedures are followed in an environment that can include repetitive motion tasks, the use of acids, solvents and abrasive powders, noise and dust, and lifting of heavy rock samples.

A service-minded and collegial approach, good communication skills, the ability to work effectively and independently (with broad directives and under minimal supervision) are required, as is the ability to adapt to shifting priorities in an environment with frequent interruptions with a moderate level of stress. Vacation time will ideally be scheduled around peak periods which the beginning of fall and winter semester, and at the start and end of field work season (i.e. early January, March - April and August - October).

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

The SPL Technician

• Responsible for the safe processing of a wide variety of geological samples both directly and by overseeing equipment training and overall management of the SPL facility.
• Provides expert advice to faculty, graduate students, undergraduates and other clients, and remains current on the development of new techniques and external vendor information.
• Will train and supervises lab users (including faculty, technical staff, graduate students, and senior undergrads) in some techniques.
• Will act as an ambassador for the SPL and the department at all times.

Laboratory operation and oversight

• Oversee day-to-day operation of the equipment and laboratories including procurement of chemicals and supplies, repairs, and other laboratory services in liaison with the Department Technical Manager.
• Ensure equipment is in good working order at all times by tracking its usage, performing calibration and repair as required (and keep records of the same).
• Ensure safe and efficient practices are used.
• Ensure cleanliness of facilities to minimize sample cross-contamination.
• Establish and ensure fair access procedures for users, and ensure safe and efficient laboratory practices.
• Maintain a database of services provided with the ability to provide information for billing purposes.

Rock processing services

• Sample processing techniques commonly used in SPL can include thin sections, polished sections, grain mounts, fluid inclusion slides, polished slabs, feldspar stained sections and stained slabs, polished slabs, drilling core plugs, split core samples, vacuum impregnation of epoxy to accommodate fractured/permeable samples, use of techniques for water-sensitive samples, rock grinding/milling, rock digestions, grain size analysis with particle analyzers and sieve separation. Research quality sample processing will be required, in consultation with users in some cases, which will require a good sense of craft.
• Cut and/or core prepared slabs (cut and rough polished) for undergraduate courses and research.
• Development of specialized techniques may be required in consultation with researchers and instructors.

Student training/research support

• Provide accurate and informed advice to faculty, undergraduate/graduate students and external users concerning processing methods and techniques, appropriate application thereof.
• Provide appropriate instruction and supervision of undergraduate and graduate students and researchers on rock processing techniques and the correct and safe use of equipment, either one-on-one or small groups.
• Ensure cleanliness is maintained at all times to minimize potential of contamination.

Safety and Compliance:

• Maintain a clean and safe work place.
• Maintain user training records, chemical inventories in Chematix, hazard assessments, lab inspections, all equipment operating procedures and maintenance records.
• Remove non-hazardous waste in a timely fashion via university procedures.
• Maintain standard operating procedures for all equipment and techniques.

Qualifications / Requirements:

• A Diploma in Electrical Engineering Technology or a related discipline.
• Minimum of three years of experience and a technical background in the operation, maintenance and monitoring of complex technical equipment used in an engineering lab within safety guidelines; a combination of experience, training and education may be considered.
• Demonstrated experience with precisely calibrating, servicing and troubleshooting a variety of laboratory equipment.
• Experience with 208V heater/motor circuits an asset.
• Must have electrical knowledge, experience with process controls and instrumentation.
• Experience with at least one of the following: distributed control, Delta V, or LabVIEW.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrated experience with Environmental Health Safety, WHMIS, and use of personal protective equipment.
• Has working knowledge of Microsoft Office products. Experience with PeopleSoft and Chematix is an asset.
• Experience with writing funding proposals and reports, as well as facilitating presentations and delivering training seminars is an asset.
• Knowledge of First Aid and understanding of fire and safety, and transport of dangerous goods is also an asset.

Application Deadline:  September 6, 2024

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Technical Job Family, Phase 2.

For a listing of all management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary, view our Management and Staff Careers website. 

About the University of Calgary

UCalgary is Canada's entrepreneurial university, located in Canada's most enterprising city. It is a top research university and one of the highest-ranked universities of its age. Founded in 1966, its 36,000 students experience an innovative learning environment, made rich by research, hands-on experiences and entrepreneurial thinking. It is Canada's leader in the creation of start-ups. Start something today at the University of Calgary. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion ([email protected]) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources ([email protected]).

Do you have most but not all the qualifications? Research show that women, racialized and visible minorities, and persons with disabilities are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At UCalgary we are committed to achieving equitable, diverse, inclusive and accessible employment practices and workplaces and encourage you to apply if you believe you are right for this role. 

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.