Technical Staff
Overview
The Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering is inviting applications for a Laboratory (Lab) Technologist (Level B) who will enhance student success through a positive learning environment and teach undergraduate lab courses within the established scope and guidelines of the professional degree program.
This position is responsible for lab course delivery and other academic responsibilities, and the technical operation and maintenance of the Mechatronics undergraduate lab facilities in support of assigned lab courses. The Lab Technologist collaborates with course faculty members for lecture-lab synchronization and works in conjunction with faculty members on lab content and development, and design of any new experiments to be introduced into the undergraduate lab.
Responsibilities
Instruction of Students and Assessment of their Academic Performance.
- Prepares and teaches assigned undergraduate lab courses.
- Collaborates with faculty course instructors for lecture-lab synchronization.
- Monitors students’ lab progress by assessing reports and lab assignments in the technical and theoretical aspects of the subject matter.
- Ensures academic integrity is maintained in the labs.
- Marks student work term reports.
- Assists students on an individual or group basis with lab and related assignments/problems.
- Evaluates student technical presentations and symposium poster marking.
- Supervises/consults/advises/marks fourth year student design projects.
- Develops experiments and writes lab materials/manuals in conjunction with the related faculty members.
- Recommends and/or makes necessary changes in materials, techniques or procedures to optimize the value of the lab exercise.
- Plans new labs, conducts and evaluates prototype labs.
- Keeps course content and resources current.
- Provide Graduate Attributes Indictor data and any information related to CEAB accreditation process for the lab part of the course (measuring the academic performance of students) to the Chair/Coordinator of the program, upon request.
Supervises Teaching Assistants who Oversee Students Performing the Experiments and Exercises
- Ensures the effective utilization and development of graduate assistants (GAs) who assist with undergraduate labs from term-to-term on a changing basis.
- Directs lab GAs through the academic term cycle: assigning duties, coordinating their labactivities, etc.
- Provides new GAs with training in lab equipment procedures and/or theory, and instruction on experiments and design exercises before each term’s lab sessions begin.
- Participates in GA interviewing, ranking, and rating their performance.
- Mentors new or sessional staff in area of expertise.
- Trains other Lab Instructors in the use of specialized hardware or software as required.
Lab Maintenance
- Monitors and updates the lab equipment inventory.
- Monitors performance to ensure adequate quality control and arranges maintenance of technical equipment.
- Oversees teaching inventory, researches and recommends purchases.
- Maintains the technical and safe operation of the assigned laboratories.
- Recommends and implements approved upgrades and improvements to lab facilities and practices.
Qualifications
- BASc or BEng degree in Mechatronics or Mechanical Engineering. MSc degree or relevant industrial experience is an asset.
- Specialization should encompass one of the following areas: mechatronics, CNC fabrication, mechanical material testing, instrumentation, sensors and actuators.
- Experience in new lab development and purchasing hardware and software in the area of specialization is an asset.
- Experience in running labs, troubleshooting CNC machines, electromechanical systems, and equipment, giving tutorials/lectures and demonstrations, writing and updating lab manuals, developing new labs, marking reports, and evaluating technical presentations is strongly preferred.
- Experience with hardware design procedures and use of software packages related to the area of specialization.
- Experience in monitoring and enforcing safety in the labs or a similar environment is an asset.
- Proven aptitude for teaching and a demonstrated interest in working with undergraduate students.
- Well-developed interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.
- Proven ability to establish and maintain procedures for ensuring safety of students and staff in the lab.
- Strong organizational, problem-solving, and analytical skills are essential.
- Self-motivation in taking initiatives to improve the quality of labs, teaching, and working environment is required.
- Demonstrated ability to specify, evaluate, install, test and service the required hardware for labs is required.
- Willingness to train for other specializations as required by the department.
- Work outside of normal hours may be occasionally required to deal with emergencies, maintenance, or upgrades
Lakehead University is committed to creating a diverse and inclusive environment and welcomes applications from all qualified individuals including women, racialized persons, Indigenous people, persons with disabilities, and other equity-seeking groups. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be given priority. This is in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements.
Lakehead University has a goal to recruit and retain a diverse workforce as measured by increasing representation of underrepresented groups among applicants, candidates, and hires. Experience working with Indigenous or racialized communities, and/or members of other equity-deserving groups, is a strong asset. A lived experience or worked experience of any of these issues is preferred.
We appreciate your interest; Lakehead University is committed to supporting an accessible environment. Applicants requiring accommodation during the interview process should contact the Office of Human Resources at (807) 343-8010 ext. 8334 or human.resources@lakeheadu.ca to make appropriate arrangements.