Scientific Assistant
About the role
Organizational Unit
University of Victoria -> Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science -> Mechanical Engineering
Location
University of Victoria - Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2 CA (Primary)
Posting Close Date
24 August 2025
Please note that positions will close at 4 p.m. on the closing date.
FTE
1.0
Salary Grade
$72,242.00 - $93,951.00
Additional Posting Information
N/A
Salary posted will be pro-rated based on FTE and achieved as per the collective agreement, if applicable.
Classification
SG10
Employee Group:
PEA - Regular
of Hires Needed
1
Category
Engineering
About this Opportunity
The University of Victoria is one of Victoria's largest employers and one of Canada’s best diversity employers. Together we are more than 5,000 dedicated faculty, librarians and staff supporting the University of Victoria’s diverse academic programs, world-class research and commitment to civic engagement.
The salary range for this position is:
- Recruitment range: $72,242- $79,650 starting salary determined by the PEA Collective Agreement.
- Performance range: $93,951 salary range ceiling is available through annual performance increases.
Job Summary
Mandate:
A Scientific Assistant (SA) plays an important role in ensuring the department functions efficiently and effectively by supporting students and faculty members and by coordinating with other technical staff, such as the Manager of Laboratories (ML), Senior Scientific Assistants (SSAs), and Scientific Assistants (SAs), as needed for the day‑to‑day operation of the unit. This position also provides specialist‑level advice and training to students, faculty, and teaching assistants in the use of equipment and software in the undergraduate laboratories across various programs within the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
Objectives:
- Support faculty and staff in developing, maintaining, and upgrading all teaching labs.
- Support development of instructional lab manuals and the updating of lab equipment.
- Provide oversight, ensuring that policy procedures and the safety of labs and student teams are followed in the department.
- Support teaching assistants by providing training and oversight for running teaching labs.
- Provide additional support to improve current processes and optimize procedures to ensure the department operates smoothly and effectively.
- Support department leadership in meeting long‑term planning and academic goals.
This role may require working outside of normal working hours on an emergency or pre-scheduled basis.
Job Requirements
This position requires a level of education, training, and experience equivalent to an undergraduate degree in Engineering (mechanical, aerospace, biomedical) plus 3 years of relevant experience. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.
Knowledge, skills, and abilities include:
- Commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive and respectful working and learning environment.
- Strong hands-on skills with mechanical systems are essential, as the role involves direct interaction with lab equipment, troubleshooting, and guiding users in practical applications.
- Ability to design and construct electro-mechanical apparatus and interfacing with computers.
- Demonstrated experience using electronic equipment such as power supplies, digital oscilloscopes, LCR meters, signal generators, DAQ, etc.
- Working experience with engineering software packages such as MATLAB, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, LabVIEW, ANSYS or similar.
- Working familiarity with manual and computer-controlled machining equipment such as milling machines, lathes, laser cutting machine, etc.
- Familiarity with 3D printers, 3D scanners, bioprinters, etc.
- Experience with microcontroller programming.
- Experience with the use of electronic sensors, such as strain gages, thermocouples, pressure gages, encoders, etc. and subsequent data acquisition systems.
- Demonstrated experience with the management of information systems and technology in accordance with industry best practice and internal UVic policies and standards including relevant professional development to keep knowledge and skills current.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Ability to apply project management best practices to achieve multiple project goals/tasks on time.
- Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and tailor communication style for different audiences and situations.
- Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships.
- Ability to maintain required safety certifications up to date (such as WHMIS, Laser Safety, Compressed gas, etc.)
- Ability to grasp and articulate different engineering concepts.
- Ability to act effectively under pressure in a dynamic environment.
- Ability to take initiative and work with limited direction.
- Ability to mentor and coach Teaching Assistants and student teams, and act as a resource.
Assets and preferences:
- Experience with aerospace engineering program.
- Experience with practical design of analog and digital circuits and fabrication of circuit boards.
- Experience with computer programming languages such as Python, Java Script, C, C++.
- Knowledge and/or experience about microfluidics.
- Familiarity with UVic programs, policies, procedures and business systems.
Territory Acknowledgement: We acknowledge and respect the Lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees and Xʷsepsəm/Esquimalt) Peoples on whose territory the university stands, and the Lək̓ʷəŋən and WSÁNEĆ Peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.
Equity Statement: UVic is committed to upholding the values of equity, diversity, inclusion and human rights in our living, learning and work environments. In pursuit of our values, we seek members who are eager to actively participate in that shared responsibility. We actively encourage applications from members of historically and systemically marginalized groups.
Read our full equity statement here: www.uvic.ca/equitystatement.
Accessibility Statement: If you anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application and hiring process contact: uviccareers@uvic.ca Any personal information provided will be maintained in confidence.
What UVic Offers: To learn more click here
About University of Victoria
As a top-ranked university on Canada's West Coast, we're driven by our curiosity, engagement and innovative spirit to help solve the world's biggest problems. We're guided by our principles, our extraordinary natural and cultural environment and our deep respect for learning that has come before. #UVic
Scientific Assistant
About the role
Organizational Unit
University of Victoria -> Faculty of Engineering and Computer Science -> Mechanical Engineering
Location
University of Victoria - Victoria, BC V8W 2Y2 CA (Primary)
Posting Close Date
24 August 2025
Please note that positions will close at 4 p.m. on the closing date.
FTE
1.0
Salary Grade
$72,242.00 - $93,951.00
Additional Posting Information
N/A
Salary posted will be pro-rated based on FTE and achieved as per the collective agreement, if applicable.
Classification
SG10
Employee Group:
PEA - Regular
of Hires Needed
1
Category
Engineering
About this Opportunity
The University of Victoria is one of Victoria's largest employers and one of Canada’s best diversity employers. Together we are more than 5,000 dedicated faculty, librarians and staff supporting the University of Victoria’s diverse academic programs, world-class research and commitment to civic engagement.
The salary range for this position is:
- Recruitment range: $72,242- $79,650 starting salary determined by the PEA Collective Agreement.
- Performance range: $93,951 salary range ceiling is available through annual performance increases.
Job Summary
Mandate:
A Scientific Assistant (SA) plays an important role in ensuring the department functions efficiently and effectively by supporting students and faculty members and by coordinating with other technical staff, such as the Manager of Laboratories (ML), Senior Scientific Assistants (SSAs), and Scientific Assistants (SAs), as needed for the day‑to‑day operation of the unit. This position also provides specialist‑level advice and training to students, faculty, and teaching assistants in the use of equipment and software in the undergraduate laboratories across various programs within the Department of Mechanical Engineering.
Objectives:
- Support faculty and staff in developing, maintaining, and upgrading all teaching labs.
- Support development of instructional lab manuals and the updating of lab equipment.
- Provide oversight, ensuring that policy procedures and the safety of labs and student teams are followed in the department.
- Support teaching assistants by providing training and oversight for running teaching labs.
- Provide additional support to improve current processes and optimize procedures to ensure the department operates smoothly and effectively.
- Support department leadership in meeting long‑term planning and academic goals.
This role may require working outside of normal working hours on an emergency or pre-scheduled basis.
Job Requirements
This position requires a level of education, training, and experience equivalent to an undergraduate degree in Engineering (mechanical, aerospace, biomedical) plus 3 years of relevant experience. An equivalent combination of education, training, and experience may be considered.
Knowledge, skills, and abilities include:
- Commitment to valuing diversity and contributing to an inclusive and respectful working and learning environment.
- Strong hands-on skills with mechanical systems are essential, as the role involves direct interaction with lab equipment, troubleshooting, and guiding users in practical applications.
- Ability to design and construct electro-mechanical apparatus and interfacing with computers.
- Demonstrated experience using electronic equipment such as power supplies, digital oscilloscopes, LCR meters, signal generators, DAQ, etc.
- Working experience with engineering software packages such as MATLAB, SolidWorks, AutoCAD, LabVIEW, ANSYS or similar.
- Working familiarity with manual and computer-controlled machining equipment such as milling machines, lathes, laser cutting machine, etc.
- Familiarity with 3D printers, 3D scanners, bioprinters, etc.
- Experience with microcontroller programming.
- Experience with the use of electronic sensors, such as strain gages, thermocouples, pressure gages, encoders, etc. and subsequent data acquisition systems.
- Demonstrated experience with the management of information systems and technology in accordance with industry best practice and internal UVic policies and standards including relevant professional development to keep knowledge and skills current.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Ability to apply project management best practices to achieve multiple project goals/tasks on time.
- Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with individuals from diverse backgrounds and tailor communication style for different audiences and situations.
- Ability to build and maintain positive working relationships.
- Ability to maintain required safety certifications up to date (such as WHMIS, Laser Safety, Compressed gas, etc.)
- Ability to grasp and articulate different engineering concepts.
- Ability to act effectively under pressure in a dynamic environment.
- Ability to take initiative and work with limited direction.
- Ability to mentor and coach Teaching Assistants and student teams, and act as a resource.
Assets and preferences:
- Experience with aerospace engineering program.
- Experience with practical design of analog and digital circuits and fabrication of circuit boards.
- Experience with computer programming languages such as Python, Java Script, C, C++.
- Knowledge and/or experience about microfluidics.
- Familiarity with UVic programs, policies, procedures and business systems.
Territory Acknowledgement: We acknowledge and respect the Lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees and Xʷsepsəm/Esquimalt) Peoples on whose territory the university stands, and the Lək̓ʷəŋən and WSÁNEĆ Peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.
Equity Statement: UVic is committed to upholding the values of equity, diversity, inclusion and human rights in our living, learning and work environments. In pursuit of our values, we seek members who are eager to actively participate in that shared responsibility. We actively encourage applications from members of historically and systemically marginalized groups.
Read our full equity statement here: www.uvic.ca/equitystatement.
Accessibility Statement: If you anticipate needing accommodations for any part of the application and hiring process contact: uviccareers@uvic.ca Any personal information provided will be maintained in confidence.
What UVic Offers: To learn more click here
About University of Victoria
As a top-ranked university on Canada's West Coast, we're driven by our curiosity, engagement and innovative spirit to help solve the world's biggest problems. We're guided by our principles, our extraordinary natural and cultural environment and our deep respect for learning that has come before. #UVic