Position Overview

The Department of Chemistry in the Faculty of Science invites applications for a Research Associate. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 2 years (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.

The Research Associate will play a critical role in the high-level leadership of the group, working closely with the Principal Investigator (PI) to determine the course of the group. This may include in-scope supervision of other lab staff, managing the laboratory and research projects as well as ensuring that as technologies change, the laboratory adapts to and learns the new technologies. The incumbent may support other research projects by providing knowledge, skills, and on-the-job training to others. This will include contributing to research and funding strategies, identifying and helping to secure funding opportunities and shaping the vision, direction and structure of the group. They will prepare and submit documentation and other deliverables, technical and financial, required by funding agencies and collaborators.

The position entails a regular 35-hour work week; however critical work that requires overtime (to be determined between the candidate and the PI) may arise occasionally and adaptability and flexibility towards a fast-paced environment is critical. 

Position Description

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

• Conduct research and provide documentation for use in scholarly publications.
• Along with the Principle Investigator, develop and implement the strategic vision of the research project(s) and research group.
• Produce initial drafts of manuscripts for publication and appropriate scientific journals.
• Take responsibility for successful completion of projects from the conception stage through the submission of all contract deliverables and project closure.
• Train others in the operation of equipment and laboratory protocols, while maintaining a clean and safe area.
• Develop operating procedures, safety protocols, and make recommendation on workflow improvements.
• Act as primary liaison between research team, national, and international collaborators.
• Represent research team at national and international meetings, conferences, and seminars.
• Monitor and control the schedule, budget, quality and risk of projects undertaken by the research team.
• Make high risk decisions that may impact the scope, budget, and schedule of large projects.

Qualifications / Requirements:

• Must have a PhD in Chemistry and postdoctoral research experience, an excellent track-record of publications and WHMIS certification.
• A minimum of 10 years of technical experience in organometallic chemistry and catalysis.
• Extensive knowledge of current research in the field of green catalysis.
• Hands-on training in analytical techniques, including but not limited to NMR, UV-VIS, IR, HPLC-MS, GC-MS and ESI-MS.
• Experience in supervisory roles, including but not limited to mentoring of undergraduate and graduate students, assisting in grant writing, and preparation of lab documents such as technical reports, SOPs, safety reports and documentation of involved hazards.
• Demonstrated communication, organization, innovation, and interpersonal skills.
• Experience in project management, collaborations across interdisciplinary teams and computational chemistry is considered an asset.
• Ability to consult on research issues outside of the directly involved project. Must be open to learning and development, and be willing to accept new challenges and assignments.
• Advanced or expert skills in MS Office Suite and industry-leading chemistry and analytic chemical data-processing software.
• Knowledge of University core business systems is desirable.
• A positive attitude and the ability to work independently and as part of the team.

Application Deadline:  December 14, 2022

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

Additional Information

This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Technical Job Family, Phase 3.

To find out more about management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary and all we have to offer, view our Management and Staff Careers website. For more information about the Faculty of Science visit Careers in the Faculty of Science.

The University strongly recommends all faculty and staff are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

About the University of Calgary

The University of Calgary is Canada’s leading next-generation university – a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude. Located in the nation’s most enterprising city, the university is making tremendous progress on its Eyes High journey to be recognized as one of Canada’s top five research universities, grounded in innovative learning and teaching and fully integrated with the community it both serves and leads. The University of Calgary inspires and supports discovery, creativity and innovation across all disciplines. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca.

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy in line with the foundational goals of Eyes High, committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (equity@ucalgary.ca) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources (hrhire@ucalgary.ca).

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.