Student Research Assistant, Centre for Energy and Environmental Sustainability (Casual)

Job summary

The assistant will support senior researchers in implementing technology development and validation studies for oil sands, mining, and water treatment. Responsibilities include performing laboratory analyses, maintaining microbial cultures, documenting experimental data, and managing laboratory inventory.

Job details

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 Please note that Workday closes job postings at 11:59pm MST on the day before the posting end date listed above. To ensure your application is received, submit no later than 11:59pm MST the day prior to the posting end date. 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. Please Note: This is a casual opportunity commencing on January 8, 2027 ending on or before December 24, 2027, with the possibility of extension. Please Note: This positing will be used to fill multiple positions. The Centre for Energy and Environmental Sustainability (CEES) is looking to hire students who are currently enrolled in a college or polytechnic for a full-time internship. Please note: University students do not qualify for this position. Our Centre is located at NAIT’s state-of-the art research laboratory in the Productivity and Innovation Centre (PIC). CEES is staffed by an expert team of applied scientists, engineers and technicians. We bridge the gap between existing oil sands, sustainable mining and industrial water treatment research, environmental remediation, and real-world solutions, taking innovative ideas from concept to commercialization. We work with businesses and industries to develop technologies that improve the economic and environmental performance of the energy and mining industries. The primary responsibilities of this position will be to assist Senior Researchers and Technologists in the implementation of technology development or verification, and validation studies of oil sands, sustainable mining and industrial water treatment related technologies, products or solutions, including microbial-based treatment technologies. This position is lab-based with most of the work involving a range of tasks from simple (i.e. weighing, cleaning glassware) to complex (i.e. following custom analytical procedures). Task complexity will increase with training and time in the role. The work involves long periods of standing on your feet, medium to heavy lifting, performing timed procedures, wearing of personal protective equipment (e.g. gloves, lab coat, safety glasses), handling compressed gases, working with biological samples, and handling equipment with moving/rotating parts. Key Responsibilities: Perform basic laboratory techniques such as solution preparation, weighing, volume measurement, and experimental set-up. Learn, then conduct and provide support on various chemical and oil sands laboratory analyses such as, flocculation, ion chromatography, particle size analysis, methylene blue index, Atterberg limits, Karl Fischer titration, solvent extractions, and vane yield stress measurement. Setting up and maintaining microbial cultures, and performing routine analytical and molecular analyses using techniques including DNA extraction and quantitative PCR Collect experimental data, record it in Microsoft Excel, and document observations made during the experiments. Review hazard assessments and safe work practices before performing tasks. Validate equipment calibration and update control charts. Perform routine laboratory housekeeping (e.g. cleaning and organizing glassware, re-stocking of lab consumables). Perform routine basic water analysis techniques such as pH, conductivity, TDS, and alkalinity, etc. Update chemical and sample inventories. As this is a Student Research Assistant position, prior working experience is not expected. A willingness to learn is required. Skills & Abilities: Must have an interest in research and basic understanding of the scientific method. Familiarity with the oil sands industry is considered an asset. Good computing skills – i.e. intermediate Excel skills to be able to enter data and generate graphs, intermediate PowerPoint skills to assist in creating reports and presentations. Effective verbal and written communication skills. Ability to work independently and in a team environment. Effective time management and prioritization skills. Biosafety training and experience in microbial culturing is considered an asset Qualifications: Currently enrolled at NAIT or other community college in one of the following programs or equivalent: Chemical Technology Chemical Engineering Technology Civil Technology Geological Technology Petroleum Engineering Technology Waste & Wastewater Technician Biological Sciences 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 NAIT is committed to a transparent, fair, and human-centered hiring experience. All candidates are assessed directly by our recruitment and hiring teams. 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) and our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy. 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 careers@nait.ca. Please submit a resume and cover letter to be considered for this opportunity.

What you’ll do

The assistant will support senior researchers in implementing technology development and validation studies for oil sands, mining, and water treatment. Responsibilities include performing laboratory analyses, maintaining microbial cultures, documenting experimental data, and managing laboratory inventory.

Requirements

Candidates must be currently enrolled in a relevant college or polytechnic program such as Chemical, Civil, or Petroleum Engineering Technology. A willingness to learn and basic proficiency in scientific methods and computing are required, while prior work experience is not expected.

Benefits

• Vacation time
• Paid time off between Christmas and New Year's
• Health and wellness perks
• Professional and personal growth opportunities

Listed skills

• Microsoft Excel · Preferred
• Inventory management · Preferred
• Time management · Preferred
• Communication Skills · Preferred

Other relevant skills

Identified from the job description. Confirm important requirements above.

• Laboratory techniques
• Solution preparation
• Chemical analysis
• Oil sands analysis
• Microbial culturing
• DNA extraction
• Quantitative PCR
• Data documentation
• Microsoft Excel
• PowerPoint
• Hazard assessment
• Equipment calibration
• Water analysis
• Inventory management
• Time management
• Communication skills
• Equipment Calibration
• Industrial Wastewater
• Titration
• Environmental Sustainability
• Accountability
• Diversity And Inclusion
• Lifting Ability
• Time Off Management
• Willingness To Learn
• Water Quality Analysis
• Research
• Alkalinity Tests
• Analytical Procedures
• Atterberg Limits
• Biology
• Chemical Engineering
• Housekeeping
• Commercialization
• Communication
• Control Chart
• Creativity
• DNA Extraction
• Environmentalism
• Environmental Remediation
• Experimental Data
• Experimentation
• Flocculation
• Geology
• Innovation
• Ion Chromatography
• Laboratory Techniques
• Wastewater
• Particle Size Analysis
• Personal Protective Equipment

Job areas

• Science & Research
• Energy
• Environmental & Sustainability
• Engineering
• Education
• Environmental Sustainability Manager
• Chemical Technician
• Chemical and Physical Science Technicians
• Chemical Technicians

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