Plastics Sustainability Student

In order to ensure your application is received by NAIT for thorough review and consideration, please apply directly through our Careers site at www.nait.ca/careers

Please note: This is a temporary position ending on or before August 30, 2025.

The Clean Technology program at the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) provides applied research expertise and services to develop solutions rooted in circular economy principles with applications relevant to our industry partners in the Provincial energy, petrochemical, and bioeconomy sectors.

The Clean Technologies team is a diverse, highly multidisciplinary group of professionals and students with broad industry and academic experience in chemical engineering, applied chemistry, analytical chemistry, and environmental science. The area of materials sustainability is led by the Applied Research Chair in Materials Circularity, Dr. Xiaohua Kong.

The successful candidate for this position will be an enthusiastic individual with background in one or more of the following disciplines: chemical technology, materials engineering technology, mechanical engineering technology, and/or nanotechnology. A strong aptitude for teamwork, comfort with failure, patience and flexibility, tenacity, and passion for hands-on learning are essential qualities for this position.

This new team members will work on high-profile multi-disciplinary applied research projects focused on the development of new industrial plastic applications and formulations to improve the sustainability of plastics. The projects encompass aspects of polymer processing at the laboratory scale, testing of chemical and mechanical properties, process optimization, and data analysis of plastic samples.

Key Responsibilities:

• Prepare plastics samples for chemical, thermal, and mechanical analysis using extrusion and injection molding equipment
• Assist with the characterization of polymer products using laboratory- based techniques such as:
• Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy
• Elemental Analysis
• Thermal Gravimetric Analysis/ Differential Scanning Calorimetry (TGA/DSC)
• Tensile testing
• Dynamic Mechanical Analysis
• Advanced chromatography
• Acquire data and compile data in Excel
• Participate in technical meetings and troubleshooting activities
• Communicate results and observations effectively to all project team members including industry partners

Skills & Abilities:

• Prior experience in testing or laboratory environment preferable
• Effective verbal and written communication skills
• Ability to work in a team
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• Effective time management and planning
• Proficient in use of Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Qualifications:

• Must be able to work full-time from September 2024 to August 2025
• Must be enrolled at NAIT or other community college/polytechnic in Chemical Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, Nanotechnology, or equivalent programs
• Demonstrated hands-on training or experience in laboratory analysis is considered an asset
• Understanding of lab safety guidelines and best practices including WHIMS, and Occupational Health & Safety guidelines
• Class 5 driver's license and willingness to travel is an asset.

Applicants with education credentials earned outside of Canada should have their credentials evaluated by World Education Services or the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS).

Remuneration: $17.48 per hour, plus 12% in lieu of statutory holidays and vacation pay (Classification - Student Research Assistant l).

This position is covered by the Alberta Union of Provincial Employees (AUPE) Collective Agreement.

Please submit a resume and cover letter to be considered for this opportunity.

About NAIT

We are proud to have been named one of Alberta's Top Employers for 13 consecutive years. 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.

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 an environment that supports equity and cultivates inclusion through our Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Strategy. We are a proud partner of the Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion and Pride at Work Canada. While we encourage all qualified applicants to apply, only those being considered will be contacted. If you require any accommodations, please connect with us at careers@nait.ca.

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