University of New Brunswick

Closing Date: December 6, 2024 at 4:00 PM

FACULTY OF SCIENCE: GLASSBLOWING SHOP

The Faculty of Science's Glassblowing Shop provides technical services in support of teaching and research activities within the Faculty of Science as well as to many users from other UNB faculties (e.g., Engineering, Forestry & Environmental Management) and outside clients. The timely and professional support provided by the Glassblowing Shop is critical to the smooth and efficient delivery of chemistry undergraduate laboratory courses to over 1000 students per year and the research activities of numerous research groups and graduate students within and outside the Department of Chemistry.

WHAT WE OFFER

Full-time | Continuing | Fredericton |On-Campus

Standard Work Hours: Mon - Fri | 8:15 am - 4:30 pm | 36.25 hours per week

Salary Range: $44,180 - $55,232 per annum

YOUR FOCUS

Reporting to the Chemistry Department Chair, the Scientific Glassblower designs, manufactures and repairs laboratory glassware and equipment. This position is also responsible for the management and operation of the Glassblowing Shop, including the ordering of all required materials and supplies, invoicing and financial record keeping, and teaching of glassblowing techniques.

• Design and manufacture scientific glassware for use in undergraduate laboratory courses and research.
• Consult with course instructors, researchers (faculty, graduate students, other research staff), and external clients to determine scientific needs and budget in order to design suitable scientific glassware.
• Select appropriate materials for the application, considering safety, cost and feasibility of manufacture.
• Determine optimal order of assembly and design a plan for the crafting of components and the glassblowing of parts together to manufacture the glassware.
• Safely complete manufacture of the glassware, using a lathe, torches, glass saw and other equipment as appropriate.
• Repair laboratory glassware used in undergraduate teaching labs and research groups within and outside the Department of Chemistry.
• Ensure safe use and proper disposal of chemicals required for the cleaning of glassware or otherwise used in manufacture or repair of glassware.
• Manage work orders to prioritize jobs based upon teaching and research needs of the departments, faculties and other clients, maintaining good communication with clients and timely completion of tasks.
• Oversee the general administration and safe operation of the Glassblowing Shop.
• Maintain financial records, initiate internal and external chargebacks for work completed.
• Order parts, supplies and materials required for the operation of the Glassblowing Shop and completion of work orders.
• Consult and assist on the design, manufacture, or repair of devices and instrumentation requiring both glassblowing expertise and the skills and knowledge of the technologists in the Science Technical Shop.
• Work together with Technical Shop staff to clean, maintain and repair multiple water stills in use in the Department of Chemistry for both teaching and research laboratory needs.
• Perform some day-to-day operations of the Science Stores when required due to vacation or absence of other departmental technical staff. Tasks include warehousing of gases, chemicals, solvents and laboratory materials; receiving of hazardous chemicals; providing look-up counter services at Science Stores; fulfillment of orders.

WHAT YOU BRING

• A formal course or extensive apprenticeship in scientific or industrial glassblowing with extensive experience in high vacuum techniques, lathe work, glass-to-metal seals and quartz techniques.

Additional Strengths

• Financial record keeping, including generation of estimates, invoicing, ordering, and maintaining a balanced budget.
• Safe handling and disposal practices for chemicals and gases required for scientific glassblowing.
• General customer service experience is an asset.