The Department of Geological Sciences is recognized internationally for research and teaching excellence. Our faculty, students, and staff explore physical, chemical, and biological processes that have shaped our planet over the last 4.6 billion years. Our research and training advances fundamental and applied geoscience knowledge within three themes: (i) Biological and Environmental Co-evolution of Earth; (ii) Dynamics of Earth System Processes in Modern and Deep Time; and (iii) Mineral and Energy Resources for a Sustainable Future.

Primary Purpose: This position is an integral component of our technical team, directly supporting the teaching, research, and training initiatives in the Department. In particular, this position will lead the maintenance and troubleshooting of all aspects of instrumentation used in research and teaching, including the care and maintenance of instrument electronics, computer interfacing, and vacuum systems.

Nature of Work:
The electronics technician reports directly to the Head of the Department of Geological Sciences, although they are expected to closely work and collaborate with all faculty and technical staff.

The main goal of this role will be to keep the Department's instruments operational at all times. As such, the technician is expected to efficiently use their work hours to independently accomplish this without direct supervision.  Although the technician will normally prioritize tasks through consultation with the Department Head and faculty, in some cases, this role may require modifying priorities independently based on project demands or resource constraints.

The technician is expected to use sound judgement in undertaking high-level diagnostic work to repair and maintain instrumentation as efficaciously and efficiently as possible. This may require creative analytical thinking to develop non-standard, innovative design solutions. Because the instrumentation is critical to the research and teaching productivity of the Department, the technician may be required at any time to deal with emergency repairs. They are also expected and encouraged to develop ideas and suggestions for improved efficiency and safety to the Department Head.

The technician will also work collaboratively with other technical staff in the Department to ensure that other Departmental priorities can be achieved in a timely manner.

The technician will also be expected to provide technical strategic advice and review of the purchase, installation, and maintenance of new instrumentation infrastructure as part of complex multi-user research facilities that play central roles in key departmental research initiatives and institutional signature areas of research.  As such, the technician will also facilitate collaborations with units outside of the department such as industry partners, the Canadian Light Source (CLS), and the Saskatchewan Structural Sciences Centre (SSSC). They are also encouraged to develop new collaborations with other University and external partners.

Typical Duties:

Analyse, diagnose and perform electronic and mechanical maintenance and repairs of departmental instruments. Maintain the mechanical integrity of instruments, such as vacuum systems.Troubleshoot software, programming, and instrument interfacing issues.
Participate and occasionally lead in the training for other members of the team.
Design specialized parts and liaise with machine shop personnel for precision machining of these parts. Assist faculty/staff with optimization and calibration procedures for the instruments.Competently work with small and large instrument infrastructures. Given only a general mandate and installation specifications, design and oversee the space requirements to have the physical infrastructure (e.g. power, lighting, etc.) in place for the installation of new equipment or additions to existing equipment, in consultation and coordination with other members of the Department, the Manufacturer or its agent, and other University units such as Facilities and Information and Communications Technology (ICT).
Support the broader electronics needs of the department and its priorities through other assigned duties. 

Education: Completion of Grade 12 and a two year diploma in electronic engineering technology is required.

Experience: A minimum of five years of related experience with design and maintenance of digital, analogue, and high voltage instruments; software programming and software/instrument interfacing; a demonstrated mechanical and electronics aptitude; ability to diagnose problems, conduct relevant technical and scientific research, determine appropriate solution and execute the design or repair required; experience in conducting board level electronic repairs.

Skills: Effective interpersonal and communication skills; and ability to work independently with minimal supervision as well as a member of a team.