Summer Technical Assistant – Brockhouse Beamlines
About the role
The Canadian Light Source Inc. (CLSI) is a national research facility of the University of Saskatchewan. CLS produces very bright light to explore the nature and structure of molecules, and serves national and international users from academia, industry, and government institutions.
The Canadian Light Source (CLS) is seeking a summer student to support software development and user operations for the Brockhouse High Energy beamline. This project focuses on enhancing the functionality of a new stress rig endstation by developing a front-end graphical user interface (GUI) for data workflows that manage x-ray scattering experiments. The student will also assist with stress rig-related experiments during the user program, gaining hands-on experience in synchrotron science, instrumentation, and software development. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research infrastructure while building skills in programming and experimental support.
Reporting to the Associate Scientist (Brockhouse Beamlines), this position will be a full-time summer position starting on Friday, May 1st, and concluding on Friday, August 28th, or as discussed with the direct supervisor.
Representative Duties:
- Develop a front-end GUI for data workflows to manage x-ray scattering experiments with the stress rig and related instrumentation.
- Collaborate with beamline staff to integrate GUI with existing software controls.
- Assist in testing and troubleshooting software for experiment management.
- Support user program activities involving stress rig-related experiments on the high energy beamline.
- Document software development processes and provide user instructions.
- Participate in beamline operations and learn experimental workflows for x-ray scattering.
Qualifications:
- Currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree program in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related field, and returning to studies in the fall.
- Experience with Python programming.
- Knowledge of GUI development (e.g., PyQt, Tkinter) is an asset.
- Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Good communication skills for collaborating with scientists and documenting workflows.
**Remuneration:**Hourly rate is dependent upon current year of study (1st Year: $17.75/hr., 2nd Year: 18.43/hr., 3rd Year: $19.46/hr., 4th Year: 20.48/hr., 5th year: $21.50/hr., Graduate Student: $22.65/hr.).
**To Apply:**Submit a resume and cover letter along with references, in confidence, online at www.lightsource.ca/careers. Applications will be considered as of January 11, 2026. While all applicants are thanked for their interest, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Canadian Light Source Inc. (CLSI) is an equal opportunities employer and encourages members of designated groups (women, Indigenous people, people with disabilities and visible minorities) to self-identify on their applications. One of our values is Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and we strive to create a workforce that reflects our users and the community in which we live. We welcome all qualified candidates to apply, and we hope you will choose CLSI as your employer of choice. If you have any questions or concerns about accessible employment at CLSI, or to begin a confidential conversation about your individual accessibility or accommodation needs through our recruitment process, please contact us at jobs@lightsource.ca*.*
About CANADIAN LIGHT SOURCE INC.
The Canadian Light Source is the only synchrotron in Canada and one of the largest scientific infrastructure investments in our country’s history.
Since the start of operations, in 2005, CLS has enabled over 5,000 scientists from 56 Canadian academic institutions and 45 countries, to publish over 6,000 scientific papers, highlighting discoveries in a wide variety of fields, in over 1,000 international scientific collaborations.
From helping in the fight against COVID-19 to creating new cancer-fighting drugs, developing more nutritious and climate-resistant crops and supporting clean-tech and green mining processes, CLS’s infrastructure and experts help researchers solve problems, train the next generation of scientists, and support industries to become more efficient and sustainable.
CLS employs more than 250 people including scientists, engineers, technicians and administrative and business personnel.
The Canada Foundation for Innovation, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Government of Saskatchewan and the University of Saskatchewan fund our operations.
Summer Technical Assistant – Brockhouse Beamlines
About the role
The Canadian Light Source Inc. (CLSI) is a national research facility of the University of Saskatchewan. CLS produces very bright light to explore the nature and structure of molecules, and serves national and international users from academia, industry, and government institutions.
The Canadian Light Source (CLS) is seeking a summer student to support software development and user operations for the Brockhouse High Energy beamline. This project focuses on enhancing the functionality of a new stress rig endstation by developing a front-end graphical user interface (GUI) for data workflows that manage x-ray scattering experiments. The student will also assist with stress rig-related experiments during the user program, gaining hands-on experience in synchrotron science, instrumentation, and software development. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research infrastructure while building skills in programming and experimental support.
Reporting to the Associate Scientist (Brockhouse Beamlines), this position will be a full-time summer position starting on Friday, May 1st, and concluding on Friday, August 28th, or as discussed with the direct supervisor.
Representative Duties:
- Develop a front-end GUI for data workflows to manage x-ray scattering experiments with the stress rig and related instrumentation.
- Collaborate with beamline staff to integrate GUI with existing software controls.
- Assist in testing and troubleshooting software for experiment management.
- Support user program activities involving stress rig-related experiments on the high energy beamline.
- Document software development processes and provide user instructions.
- Participate in beamline operations and learn experimental workflows for x-ray scattering.
Qualifications:
- Currently enrolled in an undergraduate degree program in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science, or a related field, and returning to studies in the fall.
- Experience with Python programming.
- Knowledge of GUI development (e.g., PyQt, Tkinter) is an asset.
- Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
- Good communication skills for collaborating with scientists and documenting workflows.
**Remuneration:**Hourly rate is dependent upon current year of study (1st Year: $17.75/hr., 2nd Year: 18.43/hr., 3rd Year: $19.46/hr., 4th Year: 20.48/hr., 5th year: $21.50/hr., Graduate Student: $22.65/hr.).
**To Apply:**Submit a resume and cover letter along with references, in confidence, online at www.lightsource.ca/careers. Applications will be considered as of January 11, 2026. While all applicants are thanked for their interest, only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
Canadian Light Source Inc. (CLSI) is an equal opportunities employer and encourages members of designated groups (women, Indigenous people, people with disabilities and visible minorities) to self-identify on their applications. One of our values is Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion and we strive to create a workforce that reflects our users and the community in which we live. We welcome all qualified candidates to apply, and we hope you will choose CLSI as your employer of choice. If you have any questions or concerns about accessible employment at CLSI, or to begin a confidential conversation about your individual accessibility or accommodation needs through our recruitment process, please contact us at jobs@lightsource.ca*.*
About CANADIAN LIGHT SOURCE INC.
The Canadian Light Source is the only synchrotron in Canada and one of the largest scientific infrastructure investments in our country’s history.
Since the start of operations, in 2005, CLS has enabled over 5,000 scientists from 56 Canadian academic institutions and 45 countries, to publish over 6,000 scientific papers, highlighting discoveries in a wide variety of fields, in over 1,000 international scientific collaborations.
From helping in the fight against COVID-19 to creating new cancer-fighting drugs, developing more nutritious and climate-resistant crops and supporting clean-tech and green mining processes, CLS’s infrastructure and experts help researchers solve problems, train the next generation of scientists, and support industries to become more efficient and sustainable.
CLS employs more than 250 people including scientists, engineers, technicians and administrative and business personnel.
The Canada Foundation for Innovation, Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council, Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Government of Saskatchewan and the University of Saskatchewan fund our operations.