Student Research Assistant, Energy (Casual)

NAIT International; St. Catharines; On-site; CAD 26,000 - 33,000; Part time

Job summary

NAIT invites applications for a casual Student Research Assistant in the Clean Technologies team. You will support lab activities and data tasks, helping with equipment like EV chargers and inverters under supervision in a multidisciplinary setting with industry and academia.

Ideal candidates are full-time students in Electrical Engineering Technology or related fields, with at least a year of lab experience and solid MS Office skills.

Qualifications

• Must be able to work full-time from Jan 1 to Dec 1, 2027.
• Must be enrolled in an Electrical Engineering Technology or related program.
• At least 1 year hands-on lab experience is a major asset.
• Basic knowledge of MS Office applications required.
• Familiarity with lab safety guidelines (WHMIS, OH&S) is a major asset.
• Class 5 driver’s license and willingness to travel are assets.
• Credentials from outside Canada should be evaluated (WES/IQAS/CES).

Responsibilities

• Perform clerical and secretarial tasks for the research project.
• Enter data accurately and efficiently.
• Carry out routine research tasks with limited judgment.
• Conduct lab clean-up duties and maintain a safe environment.
• Support installation, testing, troubleshooting, and operation of equipment.
• Communicate results between project teams and industry partners.
• Write reports and presentations summarizing data.

Skills

Clerical processes

Software applications

Laboratory procedures

Research techniques

Verbal and written communication

Renewable energy interest

Interpersonal skills

Microsoft Office (Word/Excel/PowerPt)

Education

Electrical Engineering Technology program

Instrumentation Engineering Technology program

Tools

MS Word

MS Excel

PowerPoint

MS Teams

Job description

Ready to start your next chapter with NAIT? At NAIT, we’re passionate about building a team of talented, dedicated professionals who share our commitment to excellence and innovation. Your skills and experience can shape the future of education and make a real impact in our community.

Internal NAIT Employees

Current NAIT employees are welcome to apply for this opportunity.

About the Opportunity

Please Note: This is a casual opportunity, ending on or before June30, 2027, with the possibility of extension. These positions are filled by students enrolled full‑time in a certificate, diploma, or degree program at a post‑secondary institution. Student research assistants work under the direct supervision of an academic staff member in classroom, lab, or field settings. The Clean Technology program at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) supports regional industries through applied research activities aiming to accelerate the development of technologies rooted in circular economy principles. The Clean Technologies team is a diverse, highly multidisciplinary group of professionals with experience and backgrounds in environmental science, applied chemistry, analytical chemistry, chemical engineering, and industrial microbiology. The position is focused on supporting the area of circularity within industrial sectors of Alberta. The position will support basic laboratory activities related to projects focused on characterizing industrial waste materials and environmental samples for use in forestry reclamation applications. This is a high-profile multi-disciplinary project in close collaboration with both industry and academic partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform clerical and secretarial tasks related to the research project.
• Enter data accurately and efficiently.
• Conduct routine research tasks requiring limited judgment.
• Carry out laboratory clean‑up duties.
• Search for information across various media sources.
• Draft basic or routine presentation materials.
• Support the installation, testing, troubleshooting, and operation of equipment such as EV chargers, inverters, and laboratory emulation systems
• Work with tools and electrical equipment, including wiring, connectors, breakers, panels, instrumentation, and equipment installation
• Perform basic fundamental electrical and electronic testing
• Participate in maintaining a safe laboratory environment by following standard operating procedures, proper chemical handling, and helping to update safety protocols
• Communicate results and observations effectively between project teams and industry partners as needed
• Write reports/presentations summarizing the data obtained using Word and Power Point.

Skills & Abilities

• Understanding of clerical processes.
• Understanding of related software applications.
• Understanding of laboratory procedures.
• Understanding of basic research techniques.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Interest in renewable energy systems, power electronics, and electrical grid behaviour
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Qualifications

• Must be able to work full-time from January 1 to December 1, 2027.
• Must be enrolled at NAIT or other community college/polytechnic in Electrical Engineering Technology, Instrumentation Engineering Technology or equivalent programs.
• A minimum of one year of demonstrated hands‑on training or experience in a laboratory is a major asset.
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and MS Teams is required.
• Understanding of lab safety guidelines and best practices including WHIMS, and Occupational Health & Safety guidelines is a major asset.
• Class 5 driver’s license and willingness to travel is an asset.
• Applicants with education credentials earned outside of Canada should have their credentials evaluated by World Education Services (WES), International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) or the Comparative Education Services (CES).

Classification – Student Research Assistant

This position is covered by the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) Collective Agreement.

Remuneration

Refer to salary range noted on this posting, plus 12% in lieu of statutory holidays and vacation pay.

The compensation range for this job posting is : $19.10 - $23.96

About NAIT

We are known as one of Alberta’s top employers. Being part of a community that makes a difference in the lives of students, staff, industry clients and partners, NAIT’s culture reflects our shared values of respect, collaboration, celebration, creativity, and accountability. People are what make NAIT great, and we prioritize the employee experience. For eligible positions, we offer benefits and unique perks focusing on health and wellness, work-life balance, recognition, and professional and personal growth. In addition to excellent vacation time, eligible employees receive paid time off between Christmas and New Year’s. NAIT supports a flexible work environment, enabling staff to request approval for on-campus, off-site, or hybrid work arrangements based on the nature of the role. Please note that remote positions require employees to reside within Canada. NAIT is committed to fostering a safe environment that supports equity and cultivates inclusion through our Centre for Community and Belonging (CCB). We are a proud partner of the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion. We're glad you're here. At NAIT, our people help shape careers, industries, and communities. Whether you're launching your career or bringing valuable experience, you'll find opportunities to learn, grow, and make a real impact. Explore our open roles, discover our culture, and see how your work can help transform lives through education and innovation.

People make NAIT Great - and at NAIT, people truly matter.

We're committed to creating a workplace that fuels passion, values inclusion, supports wellbeing, and encourages continuous growth. Our culture is grounded in respect, collaboration, creativity, celebration, and accountability. When you join NAIT, you become part of a community dedicated to making a meaningful difference for students, colleagues, industry partners, and the broader community.