LABORATORY TECHNICIAN

McMaster's undergraduate Engineering program, with a common first year, allows students to explore all of our degree path options before choosing a focus discipline. At McMaster, all undergraduate students take a common first year program, Engineering I. This provides a solid foundation in the fundamentals of engineering disciplines.

The Laboratory Technician will manage and coordinate activities related to undergraduate design projects and laboratories within the level one (Engineering I) program in the Faculty of Engineering. Specific responsibilities of this position include: ensuring that safety procedures are considered and implemented into all teaching activities in the labs; providing a safe working environment for students and staff, as well as taking corrective actions to prevent potentially hazardous situations; training of Teaching Assistants and students to use all equipment safely; testing of existing labs and design activities to ensure they are optimized prior to undergraduate students' arrival; and supporting undergraduate labs and design projects throughout the academic term. The Laboratory Technician will participate in the design, selection and purchase of new laboratory and experiential learning equipment whether hardware or software (e.g., microcontroller kits, data acquisition systems, robotics, etc.), and will acquire and maintain expertise in all new software or hardware used (including performing maintenance/repairs as needed). This position will also identify needs for prototyping, analysis, and testing of design projects (hand tools, small electronics components), and will determine inventory/storage needs, expected usage/distribution and re-stocking/maintenance requirements over time. The successful incumbent will provide direction and support to TAs assigned to the lab and must ensure that safety and operating protocols are adhered to at all times.

Job Summary:
Under the direction of the immediate supervisor, design new laboratory exercises and procedures and oversee the day-to-day operations of a facility, laboratory or multiple laboratories. Organizes, distributes and verifies the work of others and participates in their training and provides direction to others in how to carry out work tasks.

Purpose and Key Functions:
• Design new laboratory exercises and procedures.
• Conduct literature searches and write literature review summaries.
• Oversee the day-to-day operations of a facility, laboratory or multiple laboratories.
• Coordinate the execution of experiments, projects and services.
• Establish priorities and ensure adherence to schedules.
• Provides technical guidance and assistance concerning work methods, the use of equipment and techniques, and the analysis of results.
• Review, test, evaluate, and modify equipment and methodology.
• Recognize and investigate apparent reasons for obvious deviations in results obtained.
• Write a variety of documents such as standard operating procedures.
• Conduct initial lab set-up in accordance with lab schedules and requirements.
• Perform pilot experiments and prepare lab demonstration materials.
• Demonstrate and train others on experimental techniques and the operation
of laboratory equipment.
• Modify and adapt labs, as directed.
• Conduct moderately complex analyses of data.
• Perform trouble-shooting during the lab period to correct issues including, but not limited to, equipment failure and contamination.
• Update and maintain detailed records of lab preparations and procedures.
• Observe details and maintain accurate records of experiments and results.
• Calibrate and maintain scientific equipment and instruments in accordance with prescribed requirements.
• Perform minor equipment repairs and arrange for major repairs through supervisor or outside contractor.
• Exchange technical and scientific information with others.
• 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.
• Schedule laboratory equipment for use.
• Prepare a variety of chemicals, solutions, sterile media, staining reagents and other materials required for the lab.
• Pipette a variety of reagents and media.
• Update, maintain, and verify inventory control of chemicals, media, and supplies.
• 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.

Requirements:
Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field of study.
Requires 3 years of relevant experience.

Additional Information:
- The successful candidate will have strong communication and organization skills, applied skills (including, but not limited to, mechanics and electronics) that are demonstrated to be transferrable in digital and smart systems applications, knowledge of basic computer software such as Word, Excel, etc
- Applicants should possess a strong understanding of: 3D printing, machining practices, laser cutting, programming principles, control systems, data acquisition systems, and microcontrollers.
- Experience and/or demonstrated interest with Raspberry Pi and Arduino, programming in Python, MATLAB and/or LabVIEW, building 3D printers, maintaining computer servers, biosensors, medical imaging equipment, and/or fume hood usage and maintenance would be considered an asset.
- Demonstrated experience working with robotics and mechatronic systems.