The Senior Research Technician safely performs advanced specialized technical functions involving testing, analyzing, improving, installing, operating, maintaining, and/or solving problems concerning complex (and at times new and innovative) processes, equipment, products, and prototypes. Prototypes and products generally relate to the construction and building materials. Processes and operations tend to mimic manufacturing systems at lab-/pilot-scale, ensuring that our trials and experiments can be scaled up in an industrialized fashion.

The SRT, alongside the principal investigators, develops and implements protocols and standard operating procedures to ensure and maintain a high level of safety, consistency, and organization in experiments. They collaborate closely with principal investigators to design experiments, troubleshoot issues, and ensure that projects align with the overall research goals. Other roles include, but are not limited to, 5S, training, updating SOPs, communications about the overall project progress, maintaining proper inventory of the materials, and general equipment maintenance.

Responsibilities

Leading role in lab management: safety aspects, equipment maintenance, materials inventory, and chemical reconciliation, 5S, lab audit preparation and action follow-up, lab postings, regular equipment checks etc. Maintain laboratories and equipment including set-up, operation and troubleshooting of experimental equipment or instruments. Leads troubleshooting initiatives and machine repair efforts. Interacts with facilities and outside contractors for machine and equipment repairs. Supports engineers and scientists in R&D teams with their projects, executes (conducts hands-on experimental works), documents, and effectively communicates project tasks, results, & updates. Prepares/processes materials samples including: -Active involvement in standard and exploratory experiment design -Routine laboratory activity to make or prep materials and test samples -Development work with non-routine R&D assignments such as design of fixtures for experimental set-up and establishing proper data acquisition. Executes and/or supports commercial and manufacturing scale-up support requests.