Student Research Assistant, Materials Circularity (Casual)

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

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

Vacation time

Flexible work style

Remote work eligibility

Job summary

NAIT is seeking a Student Research Assistant to support a circularity-focused project in the Clean Technologies team. You will perform clerical duties, data entry, and routine lab tasks while aiding in data analysis and reporting for industry partners.

The role requires full-time enrollment in a related program, lab experience, and strong MS Office skills. They offer a collaborative learning environment with flexibility for on-campus or hybrid work as applicable.

Qualifications

• Must be enrolled full-time in a certificate, diploma, or degree program.
• One year of hands-on chemistry laboratory experience is an asset.
• Strong Microsoft Office proficiency and lab safety awareness.
• Willingness to travel and valid driver's license is an asset.

Responsibilities

• Perform clerical tasks for the research project.
• Enter data accurately and efficiently.
• Carry out routine research tasks with limited judgment.
• Maintain laboratory cleanliness and cleanup duties.
• Search diverse media sources for information.
• Prepare basic presentation materials.
• Perform lab techniques such as measuring pH, ions, EC.
• Operate gas chromatography and ion chromatography.
• Conduct elemental analysis (FTIR).
• Handle general lab tasks including setup, solution prep, and equipment maintenance.
• Perform basic soil analyses and sample preparation.
• Use instruments to collect data and compile in Excel for peers.
• Maintain safe lab environment following SOPs and safety protocols.
• Communicate results between project teams and partners.
• Prepare reports/presentations using Word and PowerPoint.

Skills

Clerical processes

MS Office

Lab procedures

Research techniques

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Education

Post-secondary student in related tech program

NAIT enrollment or similar program

Tools

Word

Excel

MS Teams

PowerPoint

Job description

Important Application Deadline Notice

Applications must be submitted by 11:59pm MST on the day before the posting end date shown above, as Workday automatically closes postings at that time.

About the Opportunity

This is a casual opportunity, ending on or before April 30, 2027, with the possibility of extension. This position will be filled by a student 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. The ideal candidate is an adventurous, highly motivated, team-oriented individual who thrives in a multidisciplinary supportive learning and working environment. Our team provides a highly inclusive team environment to all, and we seek individuals who are comfortable with failure, have patience, are tenacious, have a sense of humor, and are driven by passion for hands‑on learning.

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.
• Conduct a variety of laboratory-based techniques such as: Measuring pH, ions, EC etc.
• Gas chromatography and ion chromatography.
• Elemental analysis FTIR.
• Carry out general tasks and laboratory protocols including general housekeeping, experimental set up and take down, solution preparation, and basic analytical equipment maintenance.
• Perform basic soil analyses, including sample preparation and analysis.
• Use analytical instrumentation to acquire data and compile data within Excel for presentation to team members and industry partners.
• 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.
• 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 Chemical Technology, Biological, Environmental Technology, Nanotechnology, Chemical Engineering Technology, or equivalent programs.
• A minimum of one year of demonstrated hands‑on training or experience in a chemistry laboratory is a major asset.
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and MS Teams is required.
• Understanding lab safety guidelines and best practices including WHIMS, and Occupational Health & Safety guidelines is a major asset.
• Prior analytical laboratory experience is an advantage.
• 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).

Classifications – 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 – Benefits and Perks

• Benefits and unique perks focusing on health and wellness, work-life balance, recognition, and professional and personal growth.
• Excellent vacation time, eligible employees receive paid time off between Christmas and New Year’s.
• Flexible work environment, enabling staff to request approval for on-campus, off‑site, or hybrid work arrangements based on the nature of the role.
• Remote positions require employees to reside within Canada.

Equity and Inclusion

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.