Research Associate, Experimental Study of Novel Nanoemulsion Diesel Fuels and Fuel Additives, Chemistry, Faculty of Science

University of Calgary

Research Associate, Experimental Study of Novel Nanoemulsion Diesel Fuels and Fuel Additives, Chemistry, Faculty of Science

Job ID: 27882

Updated: Today

Location: Main Campus

We would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge the traditional territories of the people of the Treaty 7 region in Southern Alberta. The City of Calgary is also home to Métis Nation of Alberta, Region III.

Position Overview

The Department of Chemistry in the Faculty of Science invites applications for a Research Associate, Experimental Study of Novel Nanoemulsion Diesel Fuels and Fuel Additives. This Full-time Fixed Term position is for approximately 10 months (based on length of grant funding), with the possibility of extension.

Reporting to the Principal Investigator (PI), this position will focus on the study, characterization and development of nanoemulsion diesel fuels and fuel additives, which feature improved combustion and/or reduced emissions. The possible role of gas nanobubbles to enhance the processing of fuel additives and in stabilizing nanoemulsion fuels will be explored. The Research Associate will work with other members of the project at the Partner and at the University of Calgary to plan and perform experimental measurements. The experimental measurements with focus on characterizing diesel fuel and fuel additive being produced at the Partner with the aim to enhance the ease of their production and to understand the underlying chemistry. The position will also interact with other team members performing molecular simulations focused on the investigation og the structure and properties of the various (micro)heterogeneous solutions to help identify factors that may enhance reactivity and stability.

Position Description

Summary of Key Responsibilities (job functions include but are not limited to):

Technical

• Ability to work at University of Calgary and industrial partner’s site.
• Work with other project team members and technical staff at the Partner and at the University.
• Design experiments in conjunction with PI; perform and troubleshoot experiments, interacting with the technical staff when appropriate; report results back to the project team at the Partner and at the University.
• Review the appropriate scientific literature to support experiments.
• Assist the technical staff at the Partner in developing and improving production diesel additives and nanoemulsion fuels.

Reporting and Publications

• Publication of results in peer-review journals and/or presentation at conferences is anticipated.
• Regular meetings with the supervisor (e.g. bi-weekly meetings, as well as interactions on a day to day basis) and collaborators to provide update on status of experimental results.
• Presentation of results to team meetings (e.g. once a month) and to the industrial partners.

Safety and Environment

• Understanding of standard operating procedures of the equipment used in the experimental protocols.
• Maintenance of a clean and safe laboratory work area.

Other

• Effective time-management for timely completion of project work and yearly contributions of research updates to program sponsors.
• Performance of other duties, as assigned by the Research Supervisor.

Qualifications / Requirements:

• MSc degree in an area of Chemistry, or a relevant field.
• Extensive knowledge in field, with broad knowledge of and experience with chemical instrumentation and chemical analysis procedures and techniques.
• Minimum 1 year of experience in the either the area nanobubbles or fuel emulsions.
• Knowledge of the diesel water-in-oil nanoemulsion fuel and/or with the fuel additive being developed at Katal Energy Inc.
• Experience with molecular simulations of nanobubbles and/or water-in-oil nanoemulsions.
• Demonstrated communication, organization, problem solving, and interpersonal skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills with experience in scientific writing.
• Must be comfortable working in a diverse research team and have excellent interpersonal skills.
• It would be advantageous if the candidate has specific background in any of the followings:
  • GCMS and FTIR analysis
  • Dynamic light scattering (DLS) and nano-particle tracking analysis (NTA)
  • Diesel fuel properties

Application Deadline: February 8, 2023

We would like to thank all applicants in advance for submitting their resumes. Please note, only those candidates chosen to continue on through the selection process will be contacted.

Additional Information

This position is part of the AUPE bargaining unit, and falls under the Technical Job Family, Phase 1.

To find out more about management and staff opportunities at the University of Calgary and all we have to offer, view our Management and Staff Careers website . For more information about the Faculty of Science visit Careers in the Faculty of Science .

The University strongly recommends all faculty and staff are fully vaccinated against COVID-19.

About the University of Calgary

The University of Calgary is Canada’s leading next-generation university - a living, growing and youthful institution that embraces change and opportunity with a can-do attitude. Located in the nation’s most enterprising city, the university is making tremendous progress on its Eyes High journey to be recognized as one of Canada’s top five research universities, grounded in innovative learning and teaching and fully integrated with the community it both serves and leads. The University of Calgary inspires and supports discovery, creativity and innovation across all disciplines. For more information, visit ucalgary.ca .

The University of Calgary has launched an institution-wide Indigenous Strategy in line with the foundational goals of Eyes High, committing to creating a rich, vibrant, and culturally competent campus that welcomes and supports Indigenous Peoples, encourages Indigenous community partnerships, is inclusive of Indigenous perspectives in all that we do.

As an equitable and inclusive employer, the University of Calgary recognizes that a diverse staff/faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers that have been historically encountered by some people in our society. We strive to recruit individuals who will further enhance our diversity and will support their academic and professional success while they are here. In particular, we encourage members of the designated groups (women, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible/racialized minorities, and diverse sexual orientation and gender identities) to apply. To ensure a fair and equitable assessment, we offer accommodation at any stage during the recruitment process to applicants with disabilities. Questions regarding [diversity] EDI at UCalgary can be sent to the Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion ( [email protected] ) and requests for accommodations can be sent to Human Resources ( [email protected] ).

We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, however preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.

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