Research Technologist, Schulich School of Engineering

Civil Engineering Research Technologist

Civil Engineering in the Schulich School of Engineering invites applications for a Research Technologist
. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 8 months (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.

Reporting to the Industrial Chair in Bituminous Materials, the Research Technologist will participate in the research activities of the Industrial Chair. The Research Technologist will support different projects of the characterization and development of new asphalt materials with enhanced engineering properties, studies of colloidal structure of bituminous materials, their rheology, chemistry and aging properties, and testing asphalt materials according to the different asphalt specifications.

A significant component of this position includes the preparation and testing of paving mixes.

The Research Technologist will be responsible for the testing of bituminous materials in the bituminous laboratories. They must have the ability to work effectively both independently and collaboratively with team members on simultaneous projects and exercise sound judgement. The candidate must also be able to troubleshoot, resolve issues as they arise, and develop creative and innovative solutions. As this role carries a high impact of error, the candidate must be able to work safely around potential hazards, including large equipment.

• Perform volumetric analysis and asphalt mix characterization for Marshall and Superpave mix designs, including preparation, compaction, and evaluation of asphalt specimens.
• Set up and conduct routine and advanced laboratory testing of asphalt paving mixtures, aggregates, recycled asphalt pavement (RAP), and asphalt materials in accordance with AASHTO, ASTM specifications.
• Review the current AASTHO and ASTM standards and adequately update the Chair
  ¿ s testing procedures.
• Cooperate in the development and evaluation of new asphalt mixture technologies, warm mix asphalt, recycled materials, balanced mix design approaches, and performance-related testing methods.
• Provide practical instruction to undergraduate and graduate students of Bituminous Materials Chair laboratories.
• Provide input in the planning, development, and monitoring of new experiments in laboratories.
• Acquire, maintain, upgrade, or replace laboratory equipment to ensure that equipment is in working order and setup prior to scheduled laboratories.
• Maintain efficient, safe, well-organized laboratories for technical personnel of the laboratories.
• Ordering and inventory of laboratory materials and supplies.
• Play a key part in the accreditation of the laboratories and AASHTO proficiency testing.
• Quality Management System, including preparation and update of calibration history, maintenance.
• Responsible for identification of errors a suggestion of possible countermeasures which should be considered to eliminate the sources of error. These may include recalibration of the equipment, update our testing procedures according to ASTM and AASHTO specifications, etc.
• Design, set up, and operate laboratory equipment and experiments related to asphalt mix design, volumetrics, performance testing, and pavement materials research.
• Conduct advanced asphalt mixture testing, data analysis, and interpretation of laboratory results for research and quality evaluation purposes.
• Provide training and mentoring to undergraduate and graduate students in the safe and effective operation of asphalt mix laboratory equipment and testing procedures.
• Provide input in the planning, development, and monitoring of new experiments, infrastructure and spaces in the research laboratories.
• Maintain efficient, safe, well-organized laboratories.
• Maintain knowledge of current and future technical trends and developments within industry and applies the knowledge as appropriate.
• Participates in training opportunities as required.
• Responsible for their own work, but also for identifying possible sources of error during preparation and testing of bituminous materials.
• Maintain and operate specialized equipment including a variety of mixers and compaction devices for…