Student Research Assistant, Environmental Monitoring; Casual

Position: Student Research Assistant, Environmental Monitoring (Casual)
Location: St. Catharines

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.

About

the Opportunity

Please Note:

This is a casual opportunity, ending on or before April 30, 2027, with the possibility of extension.

The Clean Technology program at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) supports regional industries through applied research activities aiming to accelerate the development of technologies rooted in circular economy principles.

The Clean Technologies team is a diverse, highly multidisciplinary group of professionals with experience and backgrounds in environmental science, applied chemistry, analytical chemistry, chemical engineering, and industrial microbiology.

The position is focused on supporting the area of circularity within industrial sectors of Alberta.

The position will support basic laboratory activities related to projects focused on characterizing industrial waste materials and environmental samples for use in forestry reclamation applications.

This is a high-profile multi-disciplinary project in close collaboration with both industry and academic partners.

The ideal candidates are adventurous, highly motivated, team-oriented individuals who thrive in a multidisciplinary supportive learning and working environment.

Our team provides a highly inclusive team environment to all, and we seek individuals who are comfortable with failure, have patience, are tenacious, have a sense of humor, and are driven by passion for hands‑on learning.

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct a variety of laboratory‑based techniques such as:
  Measuring pH, ions, EC etc.
• Gas chromatography and ion chromatography
• Elemental analysis FTIR
• Carry out general tasks and laboratory protocols including general housekeeping, experimental set up and take down, solution preparation, and basic analytical equipment maintenance.
• Perform basic soil analyses, including sample preparation and analysis.
• Use analytical instrumentation to acquire data and compile data within Excel for presentation to team members and industry partners.
• Participate in maintaining a safe laboratory environment by following standard operating procedures, proper chemical handling, and helping to update safety protocols.
• Communicate results and observations effectively between project teams and industry partners as needed.
• Write reports/presentations summarizing the data obtained using Word and Power Point.

Skills & Abilities:

• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.
• Proficient in the use of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Qualifications:

• Must be able to work full‑time from January 1 to December 1, 2027.
• Must be enrolled at NAIT or other community college/polytechnic in Chemical Technology, Biological, Environmental Technology, Nanotechnology, Chemical Engineering Technology, or equivalent programs.
• A minimum of one year of demonstrated hands‑on training or experience in a chemistry laboratory is a major asset.
• Basic knowledge of Microsoft Office applications such as Word, Excel, and MS Teams is required.
• Understanding lab safety guidelines and best practices including WHIMS, and Occupational Health & Safety guidelines is a major asset.
• Prior analytical laboratory experience is an advantage.
• Class 5 driver’s license and willingness to travel is an asset.
• Applicants with education credentials earned outside of Canada should have their credentials…