RESEARCH LAB TECHNICIAN (II) (ENG-Materials)
About the role
Regular/Temporary
Temporary
Job Title
RESEARCH LAB TECHNICIAN (II) (ENG-Materials)
Job ID
71420
Location
Central Campus
Open Date
08/14/2025
Job Type
Limited Term (>12 months)
Close Date
08/21/2025
Employee Group
Unifor Unit 1, Staff
Favorite Job
Department
Materials Science and Engineer
Salary Grade/Band
Grade 6
Salary Range
$22.94 - $36.83 (hourly)
Contract Duration
12.3 Months
Hours per Week
35
Posting Details
Schedule
Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm, Onsite
Education Level
3-year Community College diploma in a relevant field of study
Career Level
Requires 2 years of relevant experience
Job Description
Research Laboratory Technician (II)
(ENG-Materials)
(JD00619)
Engineering a Brighter Future
https://www.eng.mcmaster.ca/about-us/strategic-plan/
About The Faculty
Ranked among the top engineering schools in Canada and worldwide, the Faculty of Engineering is on a mission to empower agile and globally conscious leaders in engineering who collaborate to create a brighter future. The Faculty is at the forefront of transforming engineering education, transitioning from traditional lecture methods to a project-based, hands-on learning approach. Student success is central to all we do, and we are meaningfully reshaping an engineering field into one that reflects a diverse and inclusive society.
About the Department
The position is within the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, involving work within world-class research centres and institutes on campus, including the Canadian Centre for Electron Microscopy and Biointerfaces Institute.
About the Position
The Research Laboratory Technician (II) will be responsible for supporting the research conducted in the Grandfield Research Group related to biomineralization and biomaterials for bone applications, including performing biological assays, assisting with pre-clinical experiments, maintaining a biosafety lab, ordering and tracking inventory, training personnel on equipment and generally supporting research closely aligned with Professor Grandfield’s research interests.
Job Summary
Responsible for providing research support to faculty members in their research and teaching laboratory activities. This support includes performing laboratory experiments that are established and relatively standardized and conducting literature searches for use in publications such as journal articles or papers. Performs a range of assignments under close supervision.
Representative Duties & Responsibilities
- Perform various in-vitro and in-vivo procedures in a specialized area or science that are established and relatively standardized.
- Liaise with other laboratories, external departments, and agencies to coordinate resources and schedules to meet research objectives.
- Recognize and investigate apparent reasons for obvious deviations in results obtained.
- Write a variety of documents such as technical and procedural sections for research reports and standard operating procedures.
- Observe details and maintain accurate records of experiments and results.
- Log samples and related pertinent information.
- Gather and compile experimental results and assist in the preparation of data for reports and publications.
- Use software to conduct routine statistical analyses.
- Exchange technical and scientific information with others.
- Provide updates at research group meetings.
- Responsible for keeping laboratory facilities, equipment, and area in clean, safe working order.
- Assemble and adjust tests and laboratory equipment for experiments and procedures.
- Operate, adjust, and maintain a variety of laboratory equipment and scientific instruments.
- Ensue adequate supplies are available for experiments.
- Schedule laboratory equipment for use.
- Demonstrate and train others on experimental techniques and the operation of laboratory equipment.
- Prepare chemical reagents and biomedical media according to formulae and assume responsibility for accuracy in the preparation and standardization of solutions.
- Pipette a variety of reagents and media.
- Monitor supplies and order inventories.
- Responsible for the proper storage of materials and the appropriate disposal of waste.
- Adhere to standardized procedures and protocols when dispensing chemicals and base media.
- Input, maintain, and verify information in a variety of databases and spreadsheets.
- Conduct literature searches.
Supervision
- No formal supervision of others is required.
- Provide orientation and show procedures to others.
Qualifications
- 3-year Community College diploma in a relevant field of study.
- Requires 2 years of relevant experience.
Additional Information
The successful candidate must have and demonstrate:
- Strong organization and project management skills
- Excellent problem solving and analytical skills
- Excellent communication (verbal and written) skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain relationships at work
- Proven success at prioritizing and managing multiple tasks simultaneously
- Ability to meet tight project deadlines and competing timelines
- Ability to respond creatively to resolve issues and maintain workflow
- Previous experience with effectively training graduate and undergraduate researchers towards the successful completion of their degrees
- A high degree of professionalism, integrity, and ability to handle confidential information
- Prior experience working in and adhering to regulations of a biosafety lab
- Prior experience with musculoskeletal experiments and mammalian/bacterial cell culture
- Prior experience with managing chemical inventory
- Prior experience with scientific communication e.g. presentations, social media, etc.
- Experience managing lab purchasing and reconciliations
The successful candidate must also have experience in the following areas:
- Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Adobe Acrobat, and Mosaic
Additional requirements include:
- Flexibility to occasionally work evenings, weekends, and extended hours to meet the demands of the position
NOTE: Should the successful applicant be a Unifor Unit 1 bargaining unit member, who meets the eligibility conditions of Article 19.02 of the Unifor Unit 1 Collective Agreement, then the Limited Term Assignment will be defined as a Career Growth Opportunity in accordance with Article 19 of the Unifor Local 5555 Unit 1 Collective Agreement.
How To Apply
To apply for this job, please submit your application online.
Employment Equity Statement
McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.
The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.
The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.
As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information.
Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:
- Human Resources Service Centre at 905-525-9140 ext. 222-HR (22247), or
- Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office at ext. 22207, or
- School of Graduate Studies at ext. 23679
to communicate accommodation needs.
Interview Experience
At McMaster University, we believe in a comprehensive and inclusive interview process. Our interview methods encompass a variety of approaches that allow our hiring teams to provide a flexible and accessible experience for engaging with our candidates. Throughout your recruitment process at McMaster, you may be requested to participate in a variety of formats, that may include in-person, virtual or recorded interviews. If you have any questions as you move through the hiring process, please reach out to talent@mcmaster.ca or the HR contact associated with your position of interest.
About McMaster University
McMaster University, one of four Canadian universities listed among the Top 100 universities in the world, is renowned for its innovation in both learning and discovery. It has a student population of 30,000, and more than 185,000 alumni in 137 countries.
RESEARCH LAB TECHNICIAN (II) (ENG-Materials)
About the role
Regular/Temporary
Temporary
Job Title
RESEARCH LAB TECHNICIAN (II) (ENG-Materials)
Job ID
71420
Location
Central Campus
Open Date
08/14/2025
Job Type
Limited Term (>12 months)
Close Date
08/21/2025
Employee Group
Unifor Unit 1, Staff
Favorite Job
Department
Materials Science and Engineer
Salary Grade/Band
Grade 6
Salary Range
$22.94 - $36.83 (hourly)
Contract Duration
12.3 Months
Hours per Week
35
Posting Details
Schedule
Monday-Friday, 8:30am-4:30pm, Onsite
Education Level
3-year Community College diploma in a relevant field of study
Career Level
Requires 2 years of relevant experience
Job Description
Research Laboratory Technician (II)
(ENG-Materials)
(JD00619)
Engineering a Brighter Future
https://www.eng.mcmaster.ca/about-us/strategic-plan/
About The Faculty
Ranked among the top engineering schools in Canada and worldwide, the Faculty of Engineering is on a mission to empower agile and globally conscious leaders in engineering who collaborate to create a brighter future. The Faculty is at the forefront of transforming engineering education, transitioning from traditional lecture methods to a project-based, hands-on learning approach. Student success is central to all we do, and we are meaningfully reshaping an engineering field into one that reflects a diverse and inclusive society.
About the Department
The position is within the Department of Materials Science and Engineering, involving work within world-class research centres and institutes on campus, including the Canadian Centre for Electron Microscopy and Biointerfaces Institute.
About the Position
The Research Laboratory Technician (II) will be responsible for supporting the research conducted in the Grandfield Research Group related to biomineralization and biomaterials for bone applications, including performing biological assays, assisting with pre-clinical experiments, maintaining a biosafety lab, ordering and tracking inventory, training personnel on equipment and generally supporting research closely aligned with Professor Grandfield’s research interests.
Job Summary
Responsible for providing research support to faculty members in their research and teaching laboratory activities. This support includes performing laboratory experiments that are established and relatively standardized and conducting literature searches for use in publications such as journal articles or papers. Performs a range of assignments under close supervision.
Representative Duties & Responsibilities
- Perform various in-vitro and in-vivo procedures in a specialized area or science that are established and relatively standardized.
- Liaise with other laboratories, external departments, and agencies to coordinate resources and schedules to meet research objectives.
- Recognize and investigate apparent reasons for obvious deviations in results obtained.
- Write a variety of documents such as technical and procedural sections for research reports and standard operating procedures.
- Observe details and maintain accurate records of experiments and results.
- Log samples and related pertinent information.
- Gather and compile experimental results and assist in the preparation of data for reports and publications.
- Use software to conduct routine statistical analyses.
- Exchange technical and scientific information with others.
- Provide updates at research group meetings.
- Responsible for keeping laboratory facilities, equipment, and area in clean, safe working order.
- Assemble and adjust tests and laboratory equipment for experiments and procedures.
- Operate, adjust, and maintain a variety of laboratory equipment and scientific instruments.
- Ensue adequate supplies are available for experiments.
- Schedule laboratory equipment for use.
- Demonstrate and train others on experimental techniques and the operation of laboratory equipment.
- Prepare chemical reagents and biomedical media according to formulae and assume responsibility for accuracy in the preparation and standardization of solutions.
- Pipette a variety of reagents and media.
- Monitor supplies and order inventories.
- Responsible for the proper storage of materials and the appropriate disposal of waste.
- Adhere to standardized procedures and protocols when dispensing chemicals and base media.
- Input, maintain, and verify information in a variety of databases and spreadsheets.
- Conduct literature searches.
Supervision
- No formal supervision of others is required.
- Provide orientation and show procedures to others.
Qualifications
- 3-year Community College diploma in a relevant field of study.
- Requires 2 years of relevant experience.
Additional Information
The successful candidate must have and demonstrate:
- Strong organization and project management skills
- Excellent problem solving and analytical skills
- Excellent communication (verbal and written) skills
- Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to build and maintain relationships at work
- Proven success at prioritizing and managing multiple tasks simultaneously
- Ability to meet tight project deadlines and competing timelines
- Ability to respond creatively to resolve issues and maintain workflow
- Previous experience with effectively training graduate and undergraduate researchers towards the successful completion of their degrees
- A high degree of professionalism, integrity, and ability to handle confidential information
- Prior experience working in and adhering to regulations of a biosafety lab
- Prior experience with musculoskeletal experiments and mammalian/bacterial cell culture
- Prior experience with managing chemical inventory
- Prior experience with scientific communication e.g. presentations, social media, etc.
- Experience managing lab purchasing and reconciliations
The successful candidate must also have experience in the following areas:
- Proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Adobe Acrobat, and Mosaic
Additional requirements include:
- Flexibility to occasionally work evenings, weekends, and extended hours to meet the demands of the position
NOTE: Should the successful applicant be a Unifor Unit 1 bargaining unit member, who meets the eligibility conditions of Article 19.02 of the Unifor Unit 1 Collective Agreement, then the Limited Term Assignment will be defined as a Career Growth Opportunity in accordance with Article 19 of the Unifor Local 5555 Unit 1 Collective Agreement.
How To Apply
To apply for this job, please submit your application online.
Employment Equity Statement
McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.
The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.
The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.
As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information.
Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:
- Human Resources Service Centre at 905-525-9140 ext. 222-HR (22247), or
- Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office at ext. 22207, or
- School of Graduate Studies at ext. 23679
to communicate accommodation needs.
Interview Experience
At McMaster University, we believe in a comprehensive and inclusive interview process. Our interview methods encompass a variety of approaches that allow our hiring teams to provide a flexible and accessible experience for engaging with our candidates. Throughout your recruitment process at McMaster, you may be requested to participate in a variety of formats, that may include in-person, virtual or recorded interviews. If you have any questions as you move through the hiring process, please reach out to talent@mcmaster.ca or the HR contact associated with your position of interest.
About McMaster University
McMaster University, one of four Canadian universities listed among the Top 100 universities in the world, is renowned for its innovation in both learning and discovery. It has a student population of 30,000, and more than 185,000 alumni in 137 countries.