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Overview:
The Tritium Technologist is responsible for the preparation and analysis of water and other samples for tritium content with the assistant of a tritium lab technician as well as maintenance and repair of existing and future tritium analysis equipment. The incumbent will be an integral part of the team to provide sample analyses results in a timely manner to clients from around the world. Duties assigned will include the set up and operation and maintenance of laboratory analytical equipment, conduct data analysis and interaction with students, co-workers, and clients.
The Tritium Technologist is responsible for the preparation and analysis of water and other samples for tritium content with the assistant of a tritium lab technician as well as maintenance and repair of existing and future tritium analysis equipment. The incumbent will be an integral part of the team to provide sample analyses results in a timely manner to clients from around the world. Duties assigned will include the set up and operation and maintenance of laboratory analytical equipment, conduct data analysis and interaction with students, co-workers, and clients.
This position is contingent on funding.
Responsibilities:
Prepare and Process Direct and Enriched Tritium Analysis
Sample pretreatment for tritium analysis, including EC measurements, salt removal by using ion exchange resin, and Azeotropic Distillation.
Setup tritium enrichment process, load sample to electrolysis and monitor the running status.
Preparation of samples with scintillation cocktail and placement into a Liquid Scintillation Counter (LSC) for measurement of their Tritium activity.
Answering relevant technical questions from clients and researchers.
Reduction and calibration of raw data from the LSC which are converted to final results
Reporting of results to the office administrator.
Responsible for housekeeping in the work area and proper removal of all chemical wastes involved in the above procedures while observing all University safety standards.
Helping to maintain the smooth operation of the EIL through providing assistance and knowledge to co-workers, post-docs, undergraduate and graduate students.
LSC Equipment Maintenance and Repair
The incumbent is responsible for maintenance and repair of 3 Quantulus 1220 LSCs including electronics and servicing of autosampler belts and motors as well as peripheral equipment supporting tritium analysis.
Provide general repairs, routine maintenance, troubleshooting, problem solving and manipulating data.
Software Application Development for Lab Automation and IT Support
Develop and maintain automation tools for tritium analysis (automatic weight recorder, form generator, auto data correction program).
Develop and maintain customized version of teamwork project management web applications, for tracking project progress, recording inventory and file managements for the benefit of the entire EIL.
Develop and maintain IOT based system for lab equipment to achieve real-time status monitoring and remote control over internet for reporting to the Office Administrator and clients.
Provide both software and hardware support on EIL computers and help configure the networks.
Help debug equipment specific software.
Help solve compatibility issues on legacy software.
Method Develop And Instrument Research, Design and Upgrades
Develop new processes for the analysis of ultra-low-level tritium samples (>0.1 TU).
Upgrade the vacuum distillation system by redesign the vail fittings, tubes, and heating block.
Develop and maintain an automatic liquid drain system for Azeotropic Distillation.
Develop and maintain an IOT based lab power controller that controls the electrolysis time and monitors the real-time running status.
Provide support and troubleshooting for both electrical and mechanical issues that arise on EIL analysis equipment including elemental analyzers, gas chromatographs, and mass spectrometers.
Conduct research-based projects on novel tritium analytical technologies including seeking external sources of funding for research purposes.
Continue to make plans for future hardware/software projects and tritium method development projects.
Manage ongoing projects with frequent updates to the lab manager
Qualifications:
University Degree, ideally in Science
General background in science a strong asset
More than 2 years of experience in a general lab environment, experience working in an Isotope lab environment considered an asset.
More than 2 years of experience in R&D role conducting method development and prototype rapid design
Experience building and maintaining responsive, highly-available lab automation applications.
Practical experience in general lab practices and safety.
Experience working with tritium preparation and analysis, Conductivity and pH measurements, Liquid Scintillation Counter operation, and Radioactive sample handling and analysis preferred.
Familiar with Azeotropic Distillation and Ion exchange for water/plant/soil sample pre-treatment.
A working knowledge of MS Word, MS Excel, Email and general PC use as well as other analytical techniques is required.
Able to manage and prioritize 100’s of samples at a time.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Sufficient programming skills on data analysis, API design, simple GUI design and web application development.
Proficient at mechanical CAD tools (Solidworks, AutoCAD).
Familiar with Python, Java, C++.
Embedded system design using Arduino and STM32 microcontroller.
Electrical circuit design.
Vaccination Requirement Statement:
Effective May 1, 2022, the University suspended its Vaccination Requirement. Prior to May 1, pursuant to this Requirement, all University employees were required to submit proof of full vaccination against COVID-19 (subject to the University’s obligations under the Human Rights Code to accommodate employees who were unable to receive a vaccination). The University’s Vaccination Requirement website can be found here: https://uwaterloo.ca/coronavirus/return/vaccination-requirement.
The pandemic is ongoing and public health advice continues to evolve. Accordingly, the University reserves the absolute right to reinstate the Vaccination Requirement on short notice, and upon such reinstatement you will be required to comply. You shall also be required to comply with any new health and safety policies/requirements implemented by the University from time to time, including new policies/requirements related to mandatory employee vaccination. As the University may need to reinstate the Requirement on short notice, it will continue to collect and maintain up-to-date information on employee vaccination status. Please submit your Covid-19 vaccine status (QR code) to: https://checkin.uwaterloo.ca/
Failure to comply with the Vaccination Requirement if it is reinstated, including failure to comply with any future amendments to the Vaccination Requirement, or failure to comply with new health and safety policies/requirements implemented by the University, including those related to new mandatory employee vaccination, shall result in discipline up to and including termination of employment.
The requirement to be vaccinated, if reinstated, will be subject to the duty to accommodate pursuant to the Human Rights Code. If you are unable to be vaccinated for reasons related to a ground protected under the Human Rights Code, you may submit a written request for accommodation with an explanation of the reasons and/or any supporting documentation. If you request accommodation, the University may follow up with you for further information if necessary.
Equity Statement:
The University of Waterloo is committed to implementing the Calls to Action framed by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. We acknowledge that we live and work on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg and Haudenosaunee peoples. The University of Waterloo is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River.
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, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
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 at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.
