Technical Specialist

at  Western University

ABOUT WESTERN

With an international reputation for success, Western ranks as one of Canada’s top research-intensive universities. Our research excellence expands knowledge and drives discovery with real-world application. Western also provides an exceptional employment experience, offering competitive salaries, a wide range of employment opportunities and one of Canada’s most beautiful campuses.

ABOUT US

Earth Sciences is the science of the planet Earth. We seek to understand the Earth’s internal structure and composition; its dynamic character (earthquakes, volcanoes, plate tectonics); the processes that occur within it; the processes that shape its surface and the materials that constitute its surface layers; the connections between Earth’s surface processes, climate and our environmental sustainability; the origin, occurrence, extraction and conservation of the Earth’s natural resources (minerals, fossil fuels, soils, and water); the place of the Earth within the Solar System, and the history of life on Earth.
Western’s Department of Earth Sciences is a close-knit and dynamic department combining cutting edge academic and applied research with strong mentorship and teaching at both the graduate and undergraduate level. Our graduates can be found in industry, academia and government across Canada and around the world. Come see us in the Biological and Geological Sciences Building to see what Earth Sciences has to offer.

Education:

• Undergraduate Degree in a relevant disciplin

Experience:

• 2 years’ working experience in a related academic research environmen

Skills, Abilities & Expertise:

• Familiarity with University research policies and practices
• Knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety Act
• Ability to collaborate across internal and external boundaries to meet common objectives, improve outcomes and support work beyond one’s own unit
• Communication skills to describe technical concepts effectively to both novice and sophisticated users
• Ability to write clear, concise, and accurate procedural documentation
• Intermediate computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite and other applications or equipment used to support the laboratory or research project
• Ability to provide solutions and ideas for improvement by using imaginative approaches where constructive thinking and innovation are required
• Detail-oriented with an ability to function and process information with high levels of accuracy
• Ability to multi-task and maintain an organized and effective personal work environment
• Ability to work in a fluid and evolving work environment with changing deadlines and priorities
• Ability to work independently and maintain direction and focus through proactive planning and organized approaches to work
• Results-oriented with the ability to motivate and coach others to meet high performance standards
• Proven ability and natural inclination to develop relationships by interacting with people in a professional, respectful and diplomatic manner
• Ability to adhere to legislated safety requirements and Western safety policies
• Ability to work independently and effectively as a member of the team to achieve department goals
• Demonstrated ability to research/investigate issues and resolve problem

The Technical Specialist will provide hands-on technical expertise to ensure timely and reliable support for students and/or researchers.
a. Development of a field geology iPad App
i. UI and UX refinement
ii. Knowledge of Apple’s design principles, application interface guidelines & release guidelines
iii. Graphic design
iv. Definition & Development of new features
v. Performance & memory optimization
vi. Data encryption through API
vii. Data upload/download through REST APIs
viii. Code versioning using tools such as Git & GitHub
ix. Maintenance, software updates, code review, & testing x. Identification of potential problems and resolution
xi. Software documentation
xii. Solid understanding of OOP concepts & mobile architecture
xiii. Write consistent, well-documented code
b. Team lead and coordination of the field geology iPad App and development
i. Assist in the selection of new team members
ii. Guide team development efforts towards successful deployment of application on App Store
iii. Provide technical leadership to teammates through coaching and mentorship.
c. Computer programming and website development
i. Coordination of integration of App, Database, Server, and Website, ensuring they all work as an integrated system
Qualifications

Education:

• Undergraduate Degree in a relevant discipline

Experience:

• 2 years’ working experience in a related academic research environment

Skills, Abilities & Expertise:

• Familiarity with University research policies and practices
• Knowledge of Occupational Health and Safety Act
• Ability to collaborate across internal and external boundaries to meet common objectives, improve outcomes and support work beyond one’s own unit
• Communication skills to describe technical concepts effectively to both novice and sophisticated users
• Ability to write clear, concise, and accurate procedural documentation
• Intermediate computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite and other applications or equipment used to support the laboratory or research project
• Ability to provide solutions and ideas for improvement by using imaginative approaches where constructive thinking and innovation are required
• Detail-oriented with an ability to function and process information with high levels of accuracy
• Ability to multi-task and maintain an organized and effective personal work environment
• Ability to work in a fluid and evolving work environment with changing deadlines and priorities
• Ability to work independently and maintain direction and focus through proactive planning and organized approaches to work
• Results-oriented with the ability to motivate and coach others to meet high performance standards
• Proven ability and natural inclination to develop relationships by interacting with people in a professional, respectful and diplomatic manner
• Ability to adhere to legislated safety requirements and Western safety policies
• Ability to work independently and effectively as a member of the team to achieve department goals
• Demonstrated ability to research/investigate issues and resolve problems