Student Research Associate Jobs in Kitchener, ON

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Posting Information:
This posting is for an existing vacancy.

The internal posting deadline for this position is August 27, 2026, at 11:59PM

Job Description:

Primary Purpose

The Research Microfabrication Equipment Technologist is responsible for operational excellence in the Giga-to-Nanoelectronics (G2N) Laboratory. The G2N Lab is a Core Research Facility that provides users, both internal and external, access to nanoscience research expertise and instrumentation in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment. The role supports the visibility and reputation of the G2N Laboratory by maintaining the sound technical and operational capacity of the lab. This position provides highly specialized technical support, scientific expertise and consultation for G2N research activities. Additionally, the Research Microfabrication Equipment Technologist oversee the Foundry Lab tools for thin-film deposition and electronic device fabrication. This role also collaborates with faculty members assigned with the tasks of maintaining the equipment and tooling that are used to support the research performed in electronic materials and devices throughout campus.

Key Accountabilities

Lab Operations

Creates and upholds policies for equipment operation and handling of materials.

Designs and documents baseline fabrication processes for all equipment and maintain a library of stable, well-characterized standard procedures for equipment operation.

Develops and implements quality assurance programs related to calibration, maintenance, and repair of equipment.

Develops new test systems and upgrades to existing systems for maintaining the safe and optimized operation of the fabrication equipment in G2N.

Ensures that all lab equipment performs optimally and consistently and performs regular checks of equipment for mechanical stability; oversees its maintenance and repair when required.

Has a deep understanding of microfabrication tools to proactively schedule regular maintenance operations to minimize downtime and repairs.

Continuously monitors equipment cleanliness and process compatibilities to ensure optimal infrastructure performance for consistent and reliable baseline processes; initiate corrective actions as needed.

Acts as an information source to faculty members, researchers, graduate students and external users in meeting instrumentation needs.

Coordinates the functions and operations of various laboratories with each other.

Recommends and participates in procurement and installation of equipment, including calibration of new systems.

Communicates Health & Safety guidelines to users, coordinates safety training as required, and instructs new users on cleanroom protocols.

Ensures applicable safety requirements and guidelines are met and minimizes risk by controlling hazards.

Oversight of Research Lab Users

Provides engineering assistance, instruction and consultation to faculty, students or industrial researchers to achieve research objectives.

Educates users on effective methods and demonstrates techniques for operating microfabrication equipment.

Trains and certifies new users in safe use of advanced equipment operation and test systems.

Provides technical direction to other research staff, industry associates, technicians, and students.

Supervises graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to ensure compliance with standard operating practices and equipment operation procedures.

Assist users with upkeeping and maintaining microfabrication, electrical test, and characterization equipment in the G2N Lab; initiate and perform any maintenance and repair of these systems.

Limits or prevents introduction of materials which damage or compromise equipment.

Evaluate process flows and equipment process submissions to ensure feasibility and compatibility with microfabrication equipment in G2N.

In conjunction with management, allows/denies user access to equipment based on compatibility and contamination considerations.

Provides support and guidance for users in operating equipment for the development of microfabrication processes and the procedures for operating the tools.

Foundry Laboratory

Consults with lab management on requests from potential new users or customers of the G2N Lab.

Provides expert consultation and collaboration regarding technical requirements, capabilities and new approaches to research.

Performs specialized technical tasks to design, develop, fabricate and test specialized structures using existing microfabrication equipment for use in research and related activities.

Provides guidance and input on the feasibility of using existing equipment capabilities of the G2N lab for introducing new engineering experiments in the lab.

Ensures the tooling and equipment in G2N can enable the required fabrication capabilities, testing, and research support for all projects in the lab.

Provides timely access of microfabrication equipment in support of the design of experimental prototypes fabricated in the G2N lab through regular maintenance and upkeep of G2N equipment.

Determines if the tooling and equipment are capable to develop new processes and enabling the equipment to meet these client requirements.

Develops, implements, monitors and evaluates microfabrication tools to assess current and projected laboratory services and productivity.

Maintains equipment and tools to deliver standard processes to guarantee devices to meet original equiment specifications.

Responsible for Foundry Laboratory equipment calibration, raw materials usage, determination of frequency of maintenance, and working with other staff to find solutions to equipment issues.

Responsible for equipment evaluations and materials usage to improve quality or reduce costs.

Demonstrates equipment stability and repeatability via the establishment and routine running of quality and reliability tests such as Statistical Process Controls (SPC).

Coordinates and directs recipe/process development initiatives as needed to optimize microfabrication equipment operation.

Instruction of Students and Assessment of Academic Performance

Prepares lab experiments and provides instructions related to NE undergrad labs.

Designs, constructs and tests specific set-ups for some lab experiments.

Monitors students' lab progress by evaluating reports and lab exams in the technical and theoretical aspects of the subject matter.

Ensures academic integrity is maintained in the lab.

Assesses NE work term reports.

Assist students on an individual or group basis with lab and related assignments/problems.

Evaluates NE student technical presentations and symposium poster marking.

Consults/coaches/marks student fourth-year design projects.

Develop experiments and write laboratory materials/manuals in conjunction with faculty.

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 lab content and resources current.

Other Duties

Attends lab planning and review sessions.

Maintains an awareness of current innovations in the area and, where feasible, incorporates them into the laboratory processes.

Assist with other duties or special projects which may be assigned by the Lab Manager or Director, Giga-to-Nanoelectronics Laboratory.

Required Qualifications

Master's degree in engineering, or equivalent combination of education and experience may be considered. Ph.D. degree and hands-on cleanroom equipment maintenance experience preferred.

Five years of experience working in cleanroom lab operations.

Experience with operating, troubleshooting, and repair of microfabrication and vacuum deposition equipment.

Expertise in thin-film materials synthesis and device processing.

Expertise in the manufacturing equipment used in display technologies and with process using vacuum deposition equipment in fabrication of electronics for display applications.

Broad knowledge of cleanroom microfabrication equipment operation and maintenance.

Experience with semiconductor and thin film transistor fabrication and characterization equipment used in semiconductor device manufacturing environments.

Familiarity with nanotechnology and nanoscience measurement equipment and supplies.

Experience in cleanroom operations, troubleshooting equipment hardware and software, and repair of vacuum systems and components.

Experience giving tutorials and demonstrations, writing and updating lab manuals, developing new lab procedures, etc.

Experience monitoring and enforcing safety in the labs or a similar environment is required.

Proven aptitude for mentorship and a demonstrated interest in working with graduate students.

Well-developed interpersonal and 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.

Demonstrated ability to work independently and as part of a team within a busy and dynamic environment.

Approachability, consistency, and the ability to motivate and earn students' trust.

Self-motivation in taking initiatives to improve the quality of labs and working environment is required.

Equity Statement
The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.
The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Metis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.
Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.
The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources athrhelp@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.