Staff - Union

Job Category

CUPE 116

Job Profile

CUPE 116 Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 3

Job Title

Research Assistant/Technician 3

Department

Engineering Technicians | Department of Mining Engineering | Faculty of Applied Science

Compensation Range

$4,900.00 - $5,343.00 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date

June 27, 2026

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

July 31, 2027

Job Description

At UBC, we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research, innovation, and learning for all faculty, staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness, brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace, and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

The Norman B. Keevil Institute of Mining Engineering at The University of British Columbia (UBC), Vancouver campus, invites applications for a One Year Term Research Assistant/Technician.

Job Summary
The Research Assistant/Technician 3 provides specialized technical expertise to support a time-limited equipment modernization and lifecycle management initiative within the Department of Mining Engineering. The position focuses on assessing existing laboratory equipment, supporting equipment upgrades and replacements, coordinating vendors and installations, and developing maintenance and lifecycle plans to support research and teaching activities.

The position also provides partial technical support to departmental laboratories to maintain continuity of operations while senior technical staff are assigned to project-based work. This role operates with a high degree of independence and works closely with faculty, technicians, researchers, vendors, and departmental administrators.

This is a one-year, term-limited position funded through retained endowment funds and does not represent an ongoing staffing increase.

This is a CUPE 116 position at the Research Assistant/Technician 3 level. The normal hours of work are 37.5 hours per week (Monday to Friday). This is a term position for 1 year only.

Organizational Status
Reports to the Facilities Manager, with functional direction from the Department Head and Department Manager. Works independently while collaborating closely with research technicians, faculty members, graduate students, and external vendors.

Provides technical advice and guidance but does not supervise staff.

Work Performed

Project Work: Equipment Modernization & Lifecycle Management

Equipment Inventory & Lifecycle Assessment

Conducts a comprehensive inventory of existing laboratory equipment across the Department of Mining Engineering’s research and teaching laboratories.
Assesses equipment condition, operational status, utilization, remaining service life, and maintenance history.
Identifies equipment that is obsolete, at or near end-of-life, or no longer appropriate for current or anticipated research and teaching needs.
Develops and maintains centralized equipment records, including specifications, manuals, maintenance requirements, and lifecycle risks.

Equipment Upgrade, Replacement & Commissioning Support

Works with faculty, researchers, and technical staff to identify priorities for equipment upgrades, replacements, refurbishment, or retirement.
Researches available technologies and equipment options, including emerging tools and methods relevant to mining engineering, mineral processing, surface chemistry, and related research areas.
Engages with suppliers and vendors to obtain technical specifications, quotations, and delivery timelines.
Supports negotiation related to pricing, warranties, service agreements, training provisions, and long-term support.
Coordinates delivery, installation, commissioning, and vendor-led training for new or upgraded equipment.
Assists with space planning, infrastructure readiness, and utility requirements associated with new equipment installations.

Maintenance & Sustainability Planning

Develops and documents maintenance, calibration, and service plans for new and existing laboratory equipment.
Ensures appropriate warranties, service contracts, and preventative maintenance schedules are established and tracked.
Develops standardized templates and documentation to support ongoing equipment lifecycle tracking beyond the term of the project.
Works with technical staff to transition from reactive repairs to proactive, planned maintenance practices.
Contributes to the development of long-term equipment sustainability strategies to support shared, multi-user laboratory environments.

Documentation, Reporting & Project Coordination

Prepares summaries, inventories, and progress reports related to equipment modernization activities.
Maintains accurate records related to quotations, warranties, service contracts, and installations.
Tracks project milestones and supports reporting to departmental leadership.
Performs other related duties consistent with the qualifications and requirements of the position.

Laboratory Technical Support

Provides hands-on technical support across research and teaching laboratories to ensure continuity of laboratory operations while senior technical staff are assigned to project-based equipment initiatives.
Supports the day-to-day functioning of multi-user laboratory environments by assisting with equipment readiness, configuration, and reset between research and teaching activities.
Sets up, tests, and prepares laboratory equipment and experimental systems for research experiments, demonstrations, undergraduate teaching labs, and special projects.
Assists with routine troubleshooting, diagnostics, and minor repairs of laboratory equipment and experimental systems, escalating complex issues as appropriate.
Applies established laboratory techniques and procedures in mining engineering, mineral processing, surface chemistry, rock mechanics, ventilation, and related areas to support ongoing research and teaching activities.
Demonstrates working familiarity with specialized instrumentation across departmental laboratories, including surface chemistry, mineral processing, rock mechanics, ventilation, and microwave testing facilities, and supports users in the safe and appropriate operation of this equipment.
Provides technical assistance and guidance to faculty, graduate students, undergraduate students, and visiting researchers on laboratory procedures, equipment operation, and experimental setup.
Supports preparation and delivery of undergraduate teaching laboratories, including equipment configuration, sample preparation, verification of experimental setups, and post-lab breakdown and reset.
Assists with maintaining laboratory readiness by ensuring consumables, tools, and common accessories are available, functional, and appropriately organized.
Works collaboratively with senior technicians to document laboratory procedures, equipment settings, and operational practices to support continuity and knowledge transfer.
Supports laboratory safety practices by following established safety procedures, assisting with user orientation as required, and identifying potential safety concerns related to equipment or experimental setups.
Assists with coordinating equipment access for multiple concurrent users, helping to minimize downtime and conflicts in shared laboratory spaces.
Maintains awareness of emerging laboratory technologies, instrumentation, and experimental techniques, and supports their gradual integration into laboratory operations where appropriate.
Performs other related technical duties as required to maintain stable, effective laboratory operations in support of departmental research and teaching objectives.

Specialized Instrumentation & Technical Familiarity

Maintains working technical knowledge of specialized instrumentation used across departmental laboratories, including but not limited to:
- Surface Chemistry (FF) Lab: TGA, XRD, FTIR, BET analyzer, Elzone Particle Size Analyzer, Zeta Potential analyzers, Total Organic Carbon analyzers, Turbiscan, AA and UV/VIS spectrophotometers, goniometers, tensiometers, viscometers, and related tools.
- CMP Lab: Bench-scale mineral processing equipment (crushing, grinding, magnetic separation, gravity concentration, flotation, leaching, coal preparation) and pilot-scale equipment including grinding mills, HPGR, XRT sorting systems, screens, and crushers.
- Rock Mechanics Lab: Compression and shear testing systems, rock cutting, grinding, and drilling equipment.
- Ventilation Lab: Mine ventilation loops, ducting, airflow measurement, thermal and pressure instrumentation, and heat recovery systems.
- Microwave Testing Facility: Microwave generators, ultrasonic welders, chillers, and supporting systems.
Maintains awareness of emerging technologies and evolving research techniques and assesses their applicability to departmental research and teaching needs.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Work requires independent technical judgment. Errors in equipment assessment, procurement coordination, installation planning, or maintenance documentation could result in equipment downtime, financial loss, research delays, or safety risks.

Supervision Received
Works independently under direction. Receives guidance on complex or novel tasks but is expected to manage day-to-day operations without direct supervision.

Supervision Given
Provides instruction and technical guidance to faculty, staff, graduate, and undergraduate students using lab equipment or conducting experiments. May demonstrate techniques or oversee small-scale student projects related to area of expertise. Does not supervise staff.

Minimum Qualifications
Completion of a relevant technical program or a university degree in a relevant discipline and a minimum three years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own

- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

Strong background in mineral processing, surface chemistry, or a related technical field.
Ability to perform, modify or develop experimental protocols.
Familiarity with analyzing and interpreting research data.
Experience on academic writing, figures, or methods sections of papers and grant applications.
Demonstrated experience with advanced laboratory instrumentation and techniques.
Proven ability to independently conduct complex technical procedures and support research projects.
Experience managing fee-for-service operations, including client reporting and invoicing.
Strong record-keeping and organizational skills, including equipment manuals, maintenance logs, and chemical inventories.
Ability to communicate technical information clearly and provide effective training.
Commitment to safety, equity, diversity, and inclusion in lab environments.
Ability to work collaboratively in a multi-user lab setting while managing concurrent tasks.
Ability to lift up to 20 kg and safely handle hazardous chemicals and equipment.