LABORATORY TECHNICIAN (ENG-CIVIL)

McMaster University; Hamilton; On-site; CAD 50,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

McMaster University’s Civil Engineering department seeks an Applied Dynamics Laboratory Technician to support undergraduate teaching labs and graduate research facilities. The role emphasizes hands-on collaboration with instructors to design, set up, and run experiments, ensuring safety and data integrity across projects.

The position requires 3 years of relevant lab experience, proficiency with lab equipment, and strong problem-solving skills to fabricate apparatus and analyze results.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field is required.
• Requires 3 years of relevant experience.
• Hands-on experience with laboratory equipment and safety procedures.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with instructors to design experiments aligned with concepts.
• Design and build new laboratory experiments and modify existing ones.
• Interact with students and researchers to design and fabricate apparatus.
• Set up and conduct standardized and non-standardized experiments.
• Maintain records and ensure safety training compliance.
• Provide technical support to students and instructors.
• Update operating procedures for equipment and experiments.
• Coordinate equipment availability and inventory control.

Skills

Hand tools

Power tools

Machining

Welding

Electronics

Control systems

Instrumentation

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Tools

CAD software

CNC programming

Data acquisition software

Job description

The Department of Civil Engineering at McMaster University has earned international reputation in both research and teaching. It has ranked in the world’s top 40 civil engineering departments in the 2021 Global Ranking of Academic Subjects. The Civil Engineering Department at McMaster is a dynamic, fast paced, and evolving environment and is looking for a candidate who is enthusiastic, engaging, and excited about change.

The Applied Dynamics Laboratory is a world-class facility that focuses on the building and testing of construction materials, large scale structures, and structural components (steel, concrete, timber, masonry). The ideal candidate would contribute to these construction and testing activities by bringing their hands‑on experience with hand/power tools, machining, welding, electronics, control systems, instrumentation, hydraulics, and/or surveying equipment.

About the Position

Under the direction of the Applied Dynamics Laboratory Supervisor, the Applied Dynamics Laboratory Technician is responsible for supporting the various operations of the Applied Dynamics Laboratory, with a focus on both undergraduate teaching laboratories and a major graduate research lab. The successful candidate will also be responsible for providing operational support for the experimental facilities (including testing equipment, instruments, and data acquisition systems) employed in the department's research labs with all safety regulations in the undergraduate and graduate laboratories being followed. This individual may assist with leading undergraduate laboratory components. We are seeking an organized and creative problem‑solver with a proven ability to multi‑task.

Job Summary

Responsible for providing technical support within a laboratory environment. Assist lab instructors by designing, preparing, conducting, and demonstrating experiments.

Purpose & Key Functions

• Collaborate with the instructor to decide on the learning concept and determine how the experiment will be designed to align with and reinforce the defined concept.
• Design and build new laboratory experiments, and review and modify existing laboratory experiments.
• Interact with students and researchers to design and fabricate various apparatus for lab studies.
• Set up and conduct both standardized and non-standardized experiments.
• Assess and mitigate the physical risks associated with the set‑up and demonstration of experiments.
• Utilize various software packages and established techniques to analyze data and interpret results.
• Observe details and maintain accurate records of experiments and results.
• Assess the need for and provide recommendations for the acquisition of laboratory equipment, tools, and supplies.
• Create spreadsheets and databases to input, store, and retrieve information.
• Provide technical support and assistance to students and instructors.
• Demonstrate the proper use of laboratory equipment to all users in the laboratory.
• Write procedures for testing methods to be used in laboratory manuals.
• Update and maintain detailed records of laboratory preparations, procedures, and results.
• Develop and implement standard operating procedures for equipment and experiments.
• Log incident reports.
• Ensure that all individuals adhere to established safety policies and have completed the required laboratory safety training.
• Exchange technical and scientific information with colleagues, faculty, and students.
• Attend and participate in regular meetings with teaching assistants to ensure lab experiments are understood and conducted accordingly.
• Complete initial laboratory set‑up in accordance with laboratory schedules and requirements.
• Prepare a variety of materials such as chemicals, solutions, sterile media, staining reagents, and any other materials required for the laboratory.
• Calibrate and maintain scientific equipment including diagnosing and repairing equipment problems.
• Coordinate major repairs with vendors and outside contractors.
• Plan, schedule, and coordinate the availability of laboratory equipment and resources.
• Responsible for the daily maintenance of the laboratory including the set‑up, take down, and clean up after each experiment.
• Remove waste in accordance with applicable waste handling guidelines.
• Update and maintain inventory control of laboratory equipment, supplies, and materials.
• Negotiate a variety of contracts and pricing with outside agencies and vendors.
• Source pricing information and order materials and equipment required for the laboratory.
• Operate nonstandard equipment, test systems, and devices such as servo‑controlled actuator driven systems.
• Utilize software to complete drawings for machined components required for equipment, and to produce CNC code.
• Operate a variety of power tools such as lathes, milling machines, surface grinders, 3‑D printers, welders and other power equipment.

Supervision

• Ensure adherence to quality standards and procedures for short‑term staff and volunteers
• Provide orientation and show procedures to others.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a relevant field of study.
• Requires 3 years of relevant experience.

Assets

• Experience working in a post‑secondary environment is considered a strong asset.

Additional Information

The following qualifications are considered essential requirements for the role:

• Hands‑on experience with spectrophotometers, dissolved oxygen meters, pH meters, and conductivity meters, jar testing apparatus, settling columns, filtration columns, chemostat reactors, sequencing batch reactors, biological oxygen demand incubators, oven, and muffle furnaces
• Teaching and mentoring experience
• CPR, First Aid, and other health/safety‑related training
• Experience overseeing health and safety requirements in a laboratory setting

The role will require the successful candidate to demonstrate the:

• Ability to lift and carry 25kg
• Ability to work at 10m heights
• Ability to stand for long periods of time

The successful candidate must also have and demonstrate:

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Excellent organizational and time management skills to handle a high volume of work
• Flexibility and adaptability to changing priorities, processes, or environments
• Excellent attention to detail while producing thorough and accurate work
• Proven ability to work independently and collaborate in a dynamic team environment
• Excellent communication (verbal and written) and interpersonal skills
• A high degree of professionalism and integrity
• Proficiency with Office 365 (SharePoint, Forms, OneDrive, Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook)

This is a primarily onsite position. Flexibility is required to work occasional evenings, weekends and extended hours to meet the demands of the position.