Opportunity: Join Thread’s innovative research and development team as a full-time Laboratory Technician at our pre-commercial facility in Edmonton, Alberta. This role is ideal for a recent graduate or early-career lab professional with strong hands-on skills and a commitment to consistent, high-throughput testing.
You will support leading carbon materials scientists and engineers in developing, testing, and optimizing process parameters to produce carbon fiber from bitumen-based feedstocks. This role requires precision, steady hands, and a tolerance for repetitive tasks, as your performance will directly influence the speed and accuracy of Thread’s R&D to advance this cutting-edge process technology.
Responsibilities
- Assist researchers in performing chemical experiments and characterization of petroleum products, intermediate fibers, and carbon fiber materials.
- Conduct analyses using instruments such as IR spectrometers, elemental analyzers (CHNS), thermogravimetric analyzers (TGA), optical microscopes, and mechanical testers.
- Routine calibration, troubleshooting, and maintenance of laboratory equipment.
- Perform wet chemical analyses and bench-scale procedures, including tasks involving the safe handling and use of organic solvents
- Support the troubleshooting of lab and pilot-scale equipment, including vendor communications and reference checks.
- Help implement safety initiatives and ensure compliance with lab safety standards.
- Maintain clean, organized, and fully prepared workspaces and equipment.
- Contribute to the development, refinement, and documentation of standard operating procedures.
- Track, organize, and inventory laboratory equipment, consumables, and test specimens.
- Participate in hazard assessments, safe work planning, and emergency preparedness.
- Work collaboratively with team members and perform other duties, as assigned, to solve day-to-day R&D challenges to achieve operational objectives.
Skills & Qualifications
- Post-secondary diploma in Chemical Technology, or a BSc in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Materials Engineering, or a related scientific field.
- Relevant laboratory experience (academic or industry), especially in petroleum, organic chemistry, bench chemistry, or refinery environments, is an asset.
- Strong manual dexterity and patience, with the ability to handle and test fiber samples finer than a human hair.
- Confidence and experience in safely operating, maintaining, and troubleshooting laboratory tools and equipment.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
- Highly self-motivated, organized, and capable of working independently in a fast-paced environment.
About Thread Innovations Inc.
Thread has developed proprietary, patent-pending process technology to produce carbon fiber from Alberta oil sands bitumen-based feedstocks. Carbon fiber, a strategic material for next-generation structure and design, is up to 10 times stronger than steel and up to five times stiffer than aluminum per unit of weight. It also offers significant advantages in thermal properties, conductivity, and durability.
Thread’s technology sequesters carbon from combustion supply chains through an energy and emissions-efficient process, enabling the production of cost-disruptive carbon fiber with globally scalable impact.
Job Types: Full-time, Permanent
Pay: $40,000.00-$70,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental care
- Extended health care
- Life insurance
- On-site parking
- Paid time off
- Stock options
- Vision care
Flexible language requirement:
Work Location: In person
