Instructional Support Technician (Electronics)

This competition is open to all applicants however; internal candidates and applicants who were former employees of the University of Alberta will be given priority consideration before external candidates. Please log in to verify your internal candidate status.

The term of this position is one year plus a day, with the possibility of extension from the date of hire.

Location - This role is in-person. Work primarily takes place at North Campus, Edmonton.

As a key member of the Undergraduate Support Services Team, you will actively support and enhance the learning experience for undergraduate students, with a primary focus on laboratory instruction and technical operations. Working collaboratively within the team, you will take primary responsibility for managing undergraduate labs, which includes:

• Equipment & Facilities: Specifying, designing, building, modifying, testing, and repairing lab equipment, while managing lab materials, documentation, and manuals.
• Instructional & Mentorship Support: Mentoring undergraduate students, graduate students, Teaching Assistants (TAs), and Lab Instructors (LIs), as well as serving as the primary Lab Instructor when appropriate.
• Course Development & Continuity: Collaborating directly with Course Instructors to create, develop, and ensure the ongoing continuity of lab materials and procedures.
• Safety & Compliance: Developing, implementing, and enforcing comprehensive lab safety procedures.

This role requires a strong breadth and depth of technical expertise to thrive in an environment of constant technological evolution. You will serve as a vital technical resource, supporting faculty, staff, and students across both teaching and administrative contexts within the ECE department.

Managing and Planning Work

• Converting instructions from Administration (student program requirements) and Faculty (research program requirements) into a work schedule.
• Setting and/or negotiating priorities.
• Organizing the work of junior/entry level technicians in conjunction with the senior technician and supervising technician.
• Recommending build vs. buy decisions based on time/funding availability. This would require preliminary design work and consultation with the machine shop on mechanical construction (materials, time, scheduling).
• Monitor suppliers' capabilities (bring in equipment for demonstrations and/or check availability, delivery times of parts & equipment).

Teaching & Teaching Support

• Train users on the safe and correct use of laboratory equipment for undergraduate lab courses in Electrical and Computer Engineering. Develop Safe Operating Procedures as needed.
• Set up lab equipment and/or software for the lab and be available to resolve equipment, system, and/or software troubles.
• Ensure that the grad student LIs and TAs are appropriately prepared/trained before their labs, and we are available to provide additional assistance/training to them if needed.
• Set lab schedules within existing timetables and coordinate with other lab instructors where labs alternate between courses.

Maintenance, Troubleshooting, Repair and Testing of Equipment

• When equipment breaks down, troubleshoot to discover the source of the breakdown and take appropriate action to repair the equipment if possible or recommend alternate action based on time/funding available.
• Test and calibrate equipment for correct operation and take action as required for equipment maintenance.
• Maintain lab test equipment (oscilloscopes, power supplies, etc.), including testing and calibration of equipment for correct operation after repair.

Design & Construction of Special Equipment for Research

• Guide graduate students in defining and/or designing experimental equipment or systems to support their research/thesis program.
• Keep current on occupational health and safety regulations for the labs.

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 4 years of hands-on technical experience in a research or teaching laboratory environment.
• Proven track record of mentoring undergraduate and graduate students or junior technical staff.
• Prior experience in public speaking, teaching, or instructional support is a definite asset.
• Advanced ability to troubleshoot and resolve complex issues across hardware, test equipment, and software systems.
• Deep understanding of the interrelationships among networks, systems, and integrated hardware/software components.
• Proficiency with computer simulation tools and programming languages.
• Strong hands-on mechanical aptitude is desirable.
• Excellent verbal and written English communication skills.
• Ability to collaborate effectively and build strong relationships with a diverse, multicultural community of students, faculty, and staff.
• Exceptional composure, creativity, and adaptability when navigating high-stress, fast-paced environments.

Application Instructions

Click "Apply Now" to submit your resume and cover letter.

This position is subject to all applicable terms and conditions of the collective agreement between the Governors of the University of Alberta and the Non-Academic Staff Association (NASA).

This position offers a comprehensive benefits package.