Student Research Assistant, Materials Circularity (Casual)

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.

If this opportunity feels like the right fit for you, we encourage you to apply and join us in creating a brighter future – together.

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.

Internal NAIT Employees

Current NAIT employees are welcome to apply for this opportunity. To be considered, please submit your application through the NAIT Jobs Hub rather than the external career site.

About the Opportunity

Please Note: 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).

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

Applicants with education credentials earned outside of Canada should have their credentials evaluated by a recognized agency in Canada - Foreign Credential Validation against Canadian Standards - Canada.ca.

NAIT is committed to a transparent, fair, and human-centered hiring experience. All candidates are assessed directly by our recruitment and hiring teams.

Please submit a resume and cover letter to be considered for this opportunity.

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. While we encourage all qualified applicants to apply, only those being considered will be contacted. If you require any assistance or accommodations please connect with us at [email protected].