Research Assistants are normally students, in a University of Winnipeg undergraduate program, employed to assist with tasks related to research. Work is performed within defined guidelines and under supervision of a more senior researcher or faculty member.
Position Overview:
The position involves using computational chemistry methodology to investigate the structure and energetics of chemical species, as well as the mechanism, of various boronic acid catalyzed organic reactions in a variety of solvent environments. Additionally, the position involves performing complimentary experimental investigations using synthetic organic techniques and various chemical characterization techniques.
Duties:
Experimental Research:
- Prepare equipment and materials for research - wash glassware (flasks, chromatography columns, test tubes), set up rotary evaporators, high vacuum pumps.
- Perform academic research, standard tests and experiments - assist more experienced researchers (senior undergraduates, faculty) with thin-layer and flash chromatography, combine and concentrate samples, weigh out/measure reactants/reagents for synthetic experiments/reactions.
- Monitor and document research status and findings - follow chemical reactions (qualitative) to determine progress (TLC), standard documentation (laboratory notebook) research procedures, observations and results. Calculate reaction yields/conversions.
- Assist with duties related to the production of articles, publications, reports and presentations - assist in collection and preparation of summaries/results. Prepare diagrams, schemes and figures.
- Prepare literature reviews - assist in the collection of research articles relevant to lab activities, summarize articles, prepare graphics.
- Assist in data collection, data entry, analysis and interpretation - assist in Interpretation, analysis of spectroscopic data (NMR, IR, LR/HRMS). Enter data in standardised form.
- Perform data/word processing, routine computations, and record keeping - maintain a laboratory notebook.
- Perform other duties as required or assigned.
Computational Research:
- Prepare molecular input files for geometry optimization, thermodynamic property calculations, saddle point search, etc.
- Run quantum chemistry software on high-performance computing infrastructure (Digital Research Alliance of Canada).
- Collect, organize and analyze data from output files.
- Construct abbreviated potential energy surfaces for analysis and evaluation of potential reaction mechanisms and the consequences of solvation.
Qualifications:
- Experience with quantum chemistry software and running jobs on HPC infrastructure.
Condition(s) of Employment:
- Must be legally entitled to work in Canada.
The period of work will be from July 20, 2026 - August 28, 2026 and the estimated total hours of work will be 150-190 hours.
Note: This position is represented by the Public Service Alliance of Canada - Research Capacity Unit.
Note: The work described in this posting will be conducted in-person.
The University of Winnipeg is committed to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognizes that a diverse staff and faculty benefits and enriches the work, learning and research environments, and is essential to academic and institutional excellence. We welcome applications from all qualified individuals and encourage women, racialized persons, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, and 2SLGBTQ+ persons to confidentially self-identify at time of application.
The University of Winnipeg is committed to ensuring employment opportunities are accessible for all applicants. If you require accommodation supports during the recruitment process, please contact [email protected].
The personal information of applicants is collected under the authority of the University of Winnipeg Act and 36(1)(b) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act. All personal information collected via the recruitment process is used to assess the applicant’s suitability, eligibility, and qualifications for employment, and to otherwise support recruitment activities. This information will be provided to participating members of the recruitment process. Questions regarding the collection of your personal information may be directed to the Director, HR Services, 515 Portage Avenue, Winnipeg, MB, R3B 2E9 or [email protected].
