Scientific Assistant

University of Victoria; Victoria; On-site; CAD 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Victoria seeks a Scientific Assistant to support teaching labs in Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering, ensuring safe and efficient lab operation. You will train students, coordinate with lab staff, and help upgrade equipment and manuals.

The role requires an undergraduate Engineering degree and 3+ years' relevant experience, with hands-on wiring, instrumentation, and programming skills across MATLAB, Python, and C++.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate Engineering degree (mechanical/electrical/biomedical) with 3+ years' experience.
• Proficiency in electronics design, hardware prototyping, and testing.
• Experience with data acquisition, sensors, and instrumentation.

Responsibilities

• Support development and upkeep of teaching labs and manuals.
• Coordinate with lab staff to ensure safe, smooth operation.
• Provide training and oversight for teaching assistants and student teams.
• Mentor and coach teaching assistants in lab activities and projects.
• Apply project management methods to meet multiple lab goals on time.
• Communicate effectively with diverse stakeholders and teams.

Skills

Electrical design

Microcontroller programming

Python

C++

MATLAB

LabVIEW

Data acquisition

Team collaboration

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Undergraduate degree in Engineering (mechanical, electrical, biomedical)

Tools

Oscilloscopes

LCR meters

DAQ systems

3D printer / printer

Power supplies

MATLAB/Simulink

AutoCAD / SolidWorks

Job description

Mandate

A Scientific Assistant (SA) plays an important role in ensuring the department functions efficiently and effectively by supporting students and faculty members and by coordinating with other technical staff, such as the Manager of Laboratories (ML), Senior Scientific Assistants (SSAs), and Scientific Assistants (SAs), as needed for the day‑to‑day operation of the unit. This position also provides specialist‑level advice and training to students, faculty, and teaching assistants in the use of equipment and software in the undergraduate laboratories in the Mechanical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering programs.

Mandate

A Scientific Assistant (SA) plays an important role in ensuring the department functions efficiently and effectively by supporting students and faculty members and by coordinating with other technical staff, such as the Manager of Laboratories (ML), Senior Scientific Assistants (SSAs), and Scientific Assistants (SAs), as needed for the day‑to‑day operation of the unit. This position also provides specialist‑level advice and training to students, faculty, and teaching assistants in the use of equipment and software in the undergraduate laboratories in the Mechanical Engineering and Biomedical Engineering programs.

Objectives

• Support faculty and staff in developing, maintaining, and upgrading all teaching labs.
• Support development of instructional lab manuals and the updating of lab equipment.
• Provide oversight, ensuring that policy procedures and the safety of labs and student teams are followed in the department.
• Support teaching assistants by providing training and oversight for running teaching labs.
• Provide additional support to improve current processes and optimize procedures to ensure the department operates smoothly and effectively.
• Support department leadership in meeting long‑term planning and academic goals.

This role may require working outside of normal working hours on an emergency or pre-scheduled basis.

This position requires a level of education, training, and experience equivalent to an undergraduate degree in Engineering (mechanical, electrical, biomedical) plus 3 years of relevant experience. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities Include

• Commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive and respectful working and learning environment.
• Ability to design and construct electro‑mechanical apparatus and interfacing with computers.
• Demonstrated experience using electronic equipment such as power supplies, digital oscilloscopes, LCR meters, signal generators, DAQ, etc.
• Working experience with engineering software packages such as MATLAB, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, LabVIEW, ANSYS or similar.
• Working familiarity with manual and computer‑controlled machining equipment such as milling machines, lathes, laser cutting machine, etc.
• Familiarity with 3D printers, 3D scanners, bioprinters, etc.
• Proficiency in microcontroller programming.
• Proficiency in computer programming languages such as Python, Java Script, C, C++.
• Experience with the use of electronic sensors, such as strain gages, thermocouples, pressure gages, encoders, etc. and subsequent data acquisition systems.
• Demonstrated experience with the management of information systems and technology in accordance with industry best practice and internal UVic policies and standards including relevant professional development to keep knowledge and skills current.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office Suite.
• Ability to apply project management best practices to achieve multiple project goals/tasks on time.
• Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and tailor communication style for different audiences and situations.
• Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships.
• Ability to maintain required safety certifications up to date (such as WHMIS, Laser Safety, Compressed gas, etc.).
• Ability to grasp and articulate different engineering concepts.
• Ability to act effectively under pressure in a dynamic environment.
• Ability to take initiative and work with limited direction.
• Ability to mentor and coach Teaching Assistants and student teams, and act as a resource.

Assets And Preferences

• Experience with practical design of analog and digital circuits and fabrication of circuit boards.
• Familiarity with the tissue culture in a BSL2 environment.
• Knowledge and/or experience about microfluidics.
• Familiarity with UVic programs, policies, procedures and business systems.