Lab Technician (SDL4, 100% Onsite, Term)

University of Toronto; Toronto; On-site; CAD 76,000 - 98,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Canadian university in Toronto is seeking a highly motivated Lab Technician to support operations in the Polymer Self-Driving Lab. The position requires a Bachelor's degree in chemistry and at least three years of relevant lab experience. Key responsibilities include conducting experiments, managing lab supplies, and ensuring safety protocols. This is a full-time grant-based role expected to end in December 2027, with potential renewal.

Qualifications

• Minimum three years of relevant lab experience in polymer synthesis.
• Strong experience in air and water-free synthesis methods.
• Familiarity with safety regulations and best lab practices.

Responsibilities

• Perform lab experiments related to autonomous synthesis of polymers.
• Prepare materials and ensure availability of lab supplies.
• Collect and verify experimental data.

Skills

Lab management

Problem-solving skills

Attention to detail

Ability to work independently

Team player

Education

Bachelor's Degree in chemistry or chemical engineering

Tools

Schlenk line techniques

Flow reactors

Automated laboratory equipment

Job description

Date Posted: 11/06/2025

Req ID: 45698

Faculty/Division: Faculty of Arts & Science

Department: Acceleration Consortium

Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)

Position Number: 00058835

About us

The Faculty of Arts & Science is the heart of Canada’s leading university and one of the most comprehensive and diverse academic divisions in the world. The strength of Arts & Science derives from our combined teaching and research excellence in the humanities, sciences and social sciences across 29 departments, seven colleges and 46 interdisciplinary centres, institutes and programs.

We can only realize our mission with the dedication and excellence of engaged staff and faculty. The diversity of opportunities and perspectives within the Faculty reflect the local and global landscape and the need for curiosity, innovative thinking and collaboration. At Arts & Science, we take pride in our legacy of innovation and discovery that has changed the way we think about the world.

The Acceleration Consortium (AC) at the University of Toronto (U of T) is leading a transformative shift in scientific discovery that will accelerate technology development and commercialization. The AC is a global community of academia, industry, and government that leverages the power of artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, materials sciences, and high-throughput chemistry to create self-driving laboratories (SDLs), also called materials acceleration platforms (MAPs). These autonomous labs rapidly design materials and molecules needed for a sustainable, healthy, and resilient future, with applications ranging from renewable energy and consumer electronics to drugs. AC Staff Scientists will advance the infield of AI-driven autonomous discovery and develop the materials and molecules required to address society’s largest challenges, such as climate change, water pollution, and future pandemics.

The Acceleration Consortium received a $200M Canadian First Research Excellence Grant for seven years to develop self-driving labs for chemistry and materials, the largest ever grant to a Canadian University.

Your opportunity

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Lab Technician to join our Polymer Self Driving Lab’s team. Reporting to the Executive Director, Acceleration Consortium and working under the guidance of (Senior) Research Associates, this position supports the daily operations of our Polymer Self-Driving Lab (SDL-4), primarily through laboratory management and experimental setup & monitoring. This role does not involve research design or independent project development but is essential to enabling our research teams to execute automated workflows efficiently.

This is a grant-based term position that will end approximately in December 2027, with the possibility of renewal.

Your responsibilities will include

• Performing lab experiments related to autonomous synthesis and characterization of polymers
• Ensuring that the material needs of laboratory exercises and/or courses are available, including reagents and solutions for automated or semi-automated experiments including assays, flow chemistry reactions, and other workflows
• Applying established standards when preparing routine samples for research projects and/or experiments
• Collecting experimental data (e.g., raw instrument data, workflow results), verifying results and passing on findings
• Preparing, assembling and setting-up material, equipment and supplies used in teaching and/or research labs
• Coordinating routine maintenance of lab equipment
• Serving as a technical resource on laboratory protocols, and experimental procedures and equipment

Essential Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, or an acceptable combination of equivalent education and experience. A degree in polymer chemistry would be preferred
• Minimum three years of recent and relevant web lab experience in the synthesis, purification, processing and characterization of various polymers
• Strong experience in Schlenk line techniques for air and water‑free synthesis
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Strong problem‑solving and troubleshooting skills
• Ability to take initiative and solve administrative problems to meet time‑dependent project milestones.
• Demonstrated experience contributing to research findings
• Strong lab management skills and an attention to detail
• Familiarity with the relevant safety regulations and best lab practices
• Familiarity/Skills with automated laboratory equipment (e.g., liquid handler)
• Familiarity with flow reactors for synthesis

Assets (Nonessential)

• Familiarity with programming, preferably in Python
• Demonstrated publication record of scientific achievement (publication/ patent/ invention disclosure)

To be successful in this role you will be

• Accountable
• Insightful
• Organized
• Team player

Closing Date: 11/21/2025, 11:59PM ET

Employee Group: USW

Appointment Type: Grant - Term

Schedule: Full-Time

Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: USW Pay Band 11 -- $76,577. with an annual step progression to a maximum of $97,928. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol.

Job Category: Engineering / Technical

Lived Experience Statement

Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.

Diversity Statement

The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission.

As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes. For more information, please see http://uoft.me/UP.

Accessibility Statement

The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission.

The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.

If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact [e-mail].