Research Associate, Research Scientist, Biotech Research

Job Description This position has an initial appointment of one year.

Job Description This position has an initial appointment of one year.
Location This role is in-person at North Campus, Edmonton. This position supports the execution and advancement of pilot-scale thermochemical reforming research focused on the valorisation of agricultural, forestry, and municipal solid waste into hydrogen-rich syngas. The role operates within the framework of externally funded research projects, institutional safety and operational protocols, and collaborative research partnerships. Key responsibilities include contributing to the commissioning and operation of a pilot-scale thermo-catalytic reforming (TCR) unit based on optimal parameters established at the laboratory scale;

assisting in experimental planning, execution, data analysis, and troubleshooting; and supporting the preparation of process documentation such as P&IDs, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and technical manuals. This position involves close collaboration with graduate students (M.Sc. and Ph.D.), providing technical guidance on experiments, thesis development, and manuscript preparation for peer-reviewed scientific journals. The role also includes technical coordination through discussions with various teams and contractors during commissioning and operational phases.

Additional responsibilities involve contributing to research proposal development, supporting conference participation through oral and poster presentations, managing procurement of laboratory and pilot-scale equipment through institutional purchasing systems, and maintaining active technical communication with international collaborators to address operational and design challenges. Through these responsibilities, this position plays a critical role in ensuring the successful commissioning, operation, and scientific output of the pilot-scale facility, thereby strengthening the organization's research capacity, external collaborations, and impact in sustainable waste-to-energy technologies.

• Pilot-Scale System Commissioning and Operation
• Support the commissioning, start-up, and operation of the pilot-scale thermo-catalytic reforming (TCR) unit based on validated laboratory-scale parameters.
• Assist in system troubleshooting, performance optimization, and operational stability during experimental runs.
• Ensure compliance with institutional safety standards, operational protocols, and regulatory requirements.
• Contribute to operational readiness by coordinating testing, validation, and process verification activities.
• Impact:
  Enables reliable and safe operation of the pilot-scale facility, supporting high-quality experimental outcomes and technology readiness advancement.
• Experimental Design, Execution, and Data Analysis
• Develop and support experimental plans for biomass and waste valorisation under thermo-catalytic reforming conditions.
• Conduct experimental runs, monitor process variables, and ensure data integrity and reproducibility.
• Perform data processing, analysis, and interpretation to assess syngas quality, hydrogen yield, and process efficiency.
• Maintain accurate experimental records and datasets in accordance with research governance requirements.
• Impact:
  Ensures scientifically robust datasets that inform process optimization and support peer-reviewed research outputs.
• Process Documentation and Technical Development
• Prepare and update process flow diagrams (PFDs), piping and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), and technical datasheets.
• Develop, review, and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs), safety documentation, and operational manuals.
• Support hazard identification and risk assessment activities related to pilot-scale operation.
• Contribute to continuous technical improvement through documentation of lessons learned and best practices.
• Impact:
  Strengthens operational safety, knowledge transfer, and long-term usability of the pilot-scale infrastructure.
• Supervision and Training of Graduate Researchers
• Provide help to M.Sc. and Ph.D. students involved in experimental activities.
• Assist students in experimental planning, troubleshooting, and data interpretation.
• Support thesis development, technical writing, and preparation of scientific manuscripts.
• Foster a collaborative and safety-conscious research environment.
• Impact:
  Enhances research productivity, graduate training quality, and knowledge dissemination within the organization.
• Collaboration, Stakeholder Engagement, and Project…