Hardware Technical Specialist (100% onsite, Two Years Term)

Date Posted: 07/14/2025
Req ID: 44226
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Arts & Science
Department: Acceleration Consortium
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)
Position Number: 00058279

Description:

About us:

The Faculty of Arts & Science is the heart of Canada’s leading university and one of the most comprehensive and diverse academic divisions in the world. The strength of Arts & Science derives from our combined teaching and research excellence in the humanities, sciences and social sciences across 29 departments, seven colleges and 46 interdisciplinary centres, institutes and programs.

We can only realize our mission with the dedication and excellence of engaged staff and faculty. The diversity of opportunities and perspectives within the Faculty reflect the local and global landscape and the need for curiosity, innovative thinking and collaboration. At Arts & Science, we take pride in our legacy of innovation and discovery that has changed the way we think about the world.

The Acceleration Consortium (AC) at the University of Toronto (U of T) is leading a transformative shift in scientific discovery that will accelerate technology development and commercialization. The AC is a global community of academia, industry, and government that leverages the power of artificial intelligence (AI), robotics, materials sciences, and high-throughput chemistry to create self-driving laboratories (SDLs), also called materials acceleration platforms (MAPs). These autonomous labs rapidly design materials and molecules needed for a sustainable, healthy, and resilient future, with applications ranging from renewable energy and consumer electronics to drugs.

The Acceleration Consortium (AC) promotes an inclusive research environment and supports the EDI priorities of the unit.

The Acceleration Consortium received a $200M Canadian First Research Excellence Grant for seven years to develop self-driving labs for chemistry and materials, the largest ever grant to a Canadian University. This grant will provide the Acceleration Consortium with seven years of funding to execute its vision.



Your opportunity:

Reporting to the Executive Director, Acceleration Consortium and working under the guidance of (Senior) Research Associates, this position will play a pivotal role in supporting research projects focused on diverse formulation (e.g., drug release platforms, topicals, gels, coating materials, and will collaborate closely with our interdisciplinary team of scientists and engineers. Responsibilities include but are not limited to Experimental Design and Execution, Computational Modeling, Prototype Development, Data Analysis, and Lab Maintenance.

This is a 2-year term position, with the possibility of renewal. This is a 100% onsite position.


Your responsibilities will include:

• Performing lab experiments related to drug release kinetics, utilizing your expertise in wet lab techniques and rheological characterization methods.
• Analyzing and recommending options for project design
• Apply computational fluid dynamics (CFD) techniques to simulate and analyze fluid flow, contributing valuable insights to the troubleshooting and optimization of drug release apparatuses and other systems
• Keeping well-informed on current technologies, best practices and industry standards
• Ensure proper maintenance and calibration of laboratory equipment. Adhere to safety protocols and best practices to maintain a clean and organized working environment
• Editing design documents
• Utilize 3D printing technology to fabricate prototypes of noveldrug delivery devices, ensuring accuracy and precision in design specifications.
• Serving as a technical resource on laboratory protocols, and experimental procedures and equipment

Essential Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree in engineering, preferably with a focus on chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, or related fields, or an acceptable combination of equivalent experience and education.
• Minimum three years of recent and relevant experience in supporting research projects focused on diverse formulation, including experimental design and execution, prototype development, data analysis, data reporting, and lab maintenance.
• Experience in computational fluid dynamics (CFD), with proficiency in software tools such as ANSYS Fluent, COMSOL Multiphysics, or similar.
• Hands-on experience with 3D printing technologies, including design software (e.g., SolidWorks, AutoCAD) and printer operation.
• Prior experience in drug release experimentation, including formulation development, characterization, and evaluation of controlled-release systems would be an asset.
• Proficiency in coding languages such as MATLAB, Python, or C/C++, with the ability to develop custom scripts and algorithms for data analysis and modeling.
• Familiarity with rheological characterization techniques, such as rheometry or viscometry, for the characterization of complex fluids and gels.
• Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with the ability to effectively collaborate with interdisciplinary teams and present technical information to diverse audiences.

Assets (Nonessential):

• Master's degree in engineering
• Experience working in a research or industry environment, preferably in the pharmaceutical or biotechnology sectors.
• Familiarity with advanced analytical techniques, such as HPLC, spectroscopy, or microscopy, for the characterization of drug formulations and release profiles.

To be successful in this role you will be:

• Communicator
• Efficient
• Insightful
• Meticulous
• Organized
• Team player

Closing Date: 07/23/2025, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: USW 
Appointment Type: Grant - Term 
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone:  
USW Pay Band 11 -- $75,223. with an annual step progression to a maximum of $96,196. Pay scale and job class assignment is subject to determination pursuant to the Job Evaluation/Pay Equity Maintenance Protocol. 
Job Category: Engineering / Technical
Recruiter: Ann Yang

Lived Experience Statement
Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity deserving groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the posted position.