Acadia University

Acadia University is seeking a part-time (21 hours/week) Petrographic Technician to support teaching and research within the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences. Reporting to the Department Head, the Petrographic Technician is responsible for the preparation and curation of geological samples, production of high-quality petrographic materials, laboratory operations, and the maintenance and safe operation of specialized equipment.

The position plays an important role in supporting faculty, students, and research activities through the operation and maintenance of the Acadia Petrographic Laboratory.

Key Responsibilities:

• Prepare high-quality petrographic thin sections, polished thin sections, and polished slabs for teaching and research.
• Saw, crush, and pulverize rock samples and undertake other specialized rock preparation activities.
• Curate and maintain rock and geological sample collections.
• Operate, maintain, repair, refurbish, and, where required, assist with the design and manufacture of specialized laboratory equipment, including cutoff saws, thin-section grinders, crushers, and pulverizers.
• Manage laboratory workflow and day-to-day operations to ensure timely and effective support for teaching and research.
• Maintain laboratory records and coordinate invoicing and billing for external clients.
• Purchase and maintain inventories of equipment, tools, and laboratory consumables.
• Train and supervise students, teaching assistants, and research assistants in technical and curatorial procedures and the safe operation of laboratory equipment.
• Promote and maintain a safe, organized, and effective laboratory environment.

• Post-secondary education in geology, earth sciences, geological technology, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Demonstrated experience with geological or petrographic sample preparation, particularly the production of thin sections and/or polished sections is an asset.
• Experience operating and maintaining laboratory or geological equipment such as rock saws, grinders, crushers, and pulverizers, or a willingness to learn is an asset.
• Strong mechanical aptitude and the ability to troubleshoot, repair, modify, and maintain specialized equipment, or a willingness to learn is an asset.
• Ability to work independently while providing effective technical support to faculty, students, and researchers.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, particularly with sample curation, record-keeping, and laboratory workflow.
• Experience training or mentoring students and/or other laboratory users is an asset.
• Commitment to safe work practices and the ability to train others in the safe use of laboratory equipment.

For further information or to request a detailed job description, please contact Elektra Papadogiorgaki at [email protected].

Acadia University, located in Mi'kma'ki, the ancestral territory of the Mi'kmaq nation, is one of Canada's leading primarily undergraduate institutions. For more than 185 years, Acadia has been providing students with a transformative learning environment that supports their success in life and career. Our graduates emerge with the tools required to be global citizens and community leaders. Acadia's faculty and staff are key to our institutional success and share a strong commitment to our students by delivering an exceptional post-secondary experience. As a staff member, you will be part of a community where innovation is encouraged, and your ideas are valued.

Acadia is situated in the Town of Wolfville in Nova Scotia's beautiful Annapolis Valley - just one hour from the city of Halifax. Wolfville offers residents an outstanding quality of life, including an affordable cost of living, vibrant dining experiences, abundant recreation, and a welcoming sense of community. It is is one of the fastest-growing communities in the province, where people find the perfect mix of small-town charm and urban energy. It's a place that people love to live, and those who do not live here love to visit.

To see more information on why Acadia is an employer of choice, please visit our website at www.hr.acadiau.ca.

TO APPLY: Internal candidates (members of SEIU Local 2) must apply by September 2, 2026. Applications from external candidates are also encouraged; however, consideration is dependent upon result of internal competition. To apply for this opportunity, click on the "Apply Now" button and upload your cover letter, resume, and professional references. Internal candidates (members of SEIU Local 2) should also upload a job posting application form.

Please be advised that only those invited for an interview will be contacted. The University reserves the right not to fill this position. A six-month eligibility list may be established from this competition to fill future vacancies for identical positions.

The University invites applications from all qualified individuals; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. Acadia University is committed to employment equity and diversity in the workplace and welcomes applications from Aboriginal people, African Nova Scotians, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women, and persons of any minority sexual orientation or gender identity. Consistent with the principles of employment equity, the primary criterion for appointment to a position is qualifications and professional excellence. Candidates who identify as a member of one of the afore-mentioned groups, and who wish to have the application considered as such, are invited to submit the online Employment Equity Voluntary Self-Identification Form as part of their application package.

The university will provide support in its recruitment processes to applicants with disabilities, including accommodation that takes into account an applicant's accessibility needs. If you require accommodation because of a disability or for any other reason during the interview process, please contact [email protected].