Sustainable Energy Engineering Postings

These postings are updated by SFU's departments. Applicants should make sure that they can meet the departments' requirements and application deadlines. Please apply directly to the department where the job posting is located. Please check your department's job posting website as well.

SFU is an equity employer and encourages applications from all qualified individuals including women, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, Indigenous Peoples, people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of the university.

Teaching Assistantship Opportunities

Sustainable Energy Engineering (SEE) welcomes qualified graduate and undergraduate students to apply for Teaching Assistant (TA) positions for SEE courses. Students must apply/reapply and be selected for TA positions each term.
 

Summer 2024 TA Application

Opening Date: Monday, February 26, 2024 @ 9:00am
Closing Date: Monday, March 11, 2024 @ 9:00am

Course List 

Course Position Instructor Location Appointment Duration Est BU Per Appointment
SEE 221 TA Sami Khan Surrey May 6 - Aug 30, 2024 2.5-3.5
SEE 230 TA Mahda Jahromi
Surrey May 6 - Aug 30, 2024 2.5-3.5
SEE 241 TA Manpreet Kaur Surrey May 6 - Aug 30, 2024 2.5-3.5
SEE 300 TA Mina Xu
Surrey May 6 - Aug 30, 2024 2-5.5
SEE 310 TA Taco Niet
Surrey May 6 - Aug 30, 2024 2-5
SEE 324 TA Colin Copeland
Surrey May 6 - Aug 30, 2024 3-4
SEE 331 TA Mariana Resener
Surrey May 6 - Aug 30, 2024 3-4
SEE 332 TA Mariana Resener
Surrey May 6 - Aug 30, 2024 3-4
SEE 341 TA Vincenzo Pecunia
Surrey May 6 - Aug 30, 2024 3-4
SEE 342 TA Mahda Jahromi
Surrey May 6 - Aug 30, 2024 3-4
SEE 351 TA Zafar Adeel
Surrey May 6 - Aug 30, 2024 3-5
SEE 352 TA Mehran Ahmadi
Surrey May 6 - Aug 30, 2024 3-4
SEE 354 TA Manpreet Kaur
Surrey May 6 - Aug 30, 2024 3-4

*All TA applicants will be required to upload a completed copy of the "Self-Assessment Qualification Sheet" with their applications.*

All SEE courses are scheduled for in-person delivery. TAs are expected to be available for in-person activities for the duration of their appointments.

The salary for each base unit is $1,219. Masters’ students receive an additional scholarship amount of $181 per base unit and Ph.D. students receive an additional scholarship of $411 per base unit. Estimated base unit assignments may vary depending on final enrollment numbers. Based on the 2022-2023 TSSU Wage Schedules (sfu.ca).

Job Description

  • TAs must be available for tutorials, labs, office hours, invigilation and marking of midterms and finals, where applicable
  • For courses with tutorials, prepare for each tutorial, facilitate and/or lead tutorials and perform all related duties required for effective conduct of the tutorial
  • For course with labs, have experience reviewing and assessing laboratory reports for written quality and technical accuracy, be willing to proactively assist students and be able to provide constructive written or oral feedback on work submitted by students in the course. Most courses include marking and require the ability to provide constructive written feedback on work submitted by students
  • TAs are expected to hold office hours for some courses which require the ability to assist students with understanding course material and assignment requirements

TA Requirements

General Requirements:

  • Applicants must have sufficient written and one-to-one oral communications skills in order to support students and instructors throughout the semester whether in-person or by email.
  • Applicants must have sufficient time management and organizational skills – this is of particular concern for courses with tutorials or labs.
  • Applicants must have sufficient knowledge in the discipline of the course to interpret the course material and competency in oral and written English.
  • Applicants must download the “Self-Assessment Qualification Sheet”. Starting Summer 2023, SEE TA applicants will be required to upload a completed copy of this form with their applications. Applicants should be sure to only select those qualifications that they have met and are demonstrated within their CV/applications. This will help course instructors to better assess their qualifications and the School to make better assignments.

Education Requirements:

  • Applicants must have an undergraduate degree in engineering or an equivalent post-secondary degree from a recognized institution OR demonstrated industry experience specific to the course(s) applied for. Applicants must have sufficient knowledge in the discipline of the course to interpret the course material and pre-requisites in order to provide optimum TA support for students and course instructors.
  • Applicants can be senior undergraduate students who have a better than average overall CGPA who can demonstrate competence through courses taken. Applicants must have sufficient knowledge in the discipline of the course to interpret the course material and pre-requisites in order to provide optimum TA support for students and course instructors.

 

Specific Course Requirements

SEE 221 – Statics & Mechanics of Materials

Mandatory qualifications:

  • Completion of at least one undergraduate course in mechanics of solids (topics such as classical mechanics, kinematics, rigid body equilibrium, particle mechanics, bridge design, beams, dynamics)
  • Completion of at least one undergraduate course in materials science (topics such as engineering materials, stress-strain, moduli of elasticity, friction, strength of materials, selection of materials)
  • Demonstrated practical application of materials science in a laboratory environment or any other hands-on practical environment (such as industrial experience or experimental research experience)

SEE 230 - Electric Circuits

Mandatory qualifications:

  • Proficiency in AC circuit analysis, phase angle measurement and drawing/reading phasor diagrams.
  • Demonstrated practical application of multi-channel oscilloscopes, Digital Multimeters, inductors and capacitors in a laboratory environment or any other hands-on practical environment
  • Currency in AC power calculations including Active, Reactive and Apparent Power.
  • Successful completion of at least one advanced course in electric circuits completed at the senior undergraduate / graduate level
  • Proficiency with software tools for simulation of electric circuits (e.g. PSpice, MATLAB etc.).

Preferred qualifications:

  • Knowledge of lab safety practices and safe work procedures

SEE 241 - Measurement, Analysis and Forecasting

Mandatory qualifications:

  • Knowledge of engineering measurement and statistics, including sampling, probability, analysis, hypothesis testing, experimental design and statistical process control.
  • At least one course in engineering statistics completed at the undergraduate level, or equivalent.
  • Experience with software tools for statistical analysis (e.g. Excel, Matlab, R).

Preferred qualifications:

  • Ability to lead lab sessions, and has good written and verbal communication skills.

SEE 300 - The Business of Engineering

Mandatory qualifications:

  • Completion of at least one course in engineering economics at the undergraduate level.
  • Demonstrated experience in conducting tutorials, providing constructive feedback, and with good communication skills.
  • Experience with software tools (e.g. Microsoft Excel) for economic analysis, including risk and uncertainty.

Preferred qualifications:

  • Experience in evaluation of written reports and presentations.
  • Knowledge of engineering economics including: financial statements, time value of money, development and analysis of project cash flows, return on investment, net present value and internal rate of return, depreciation and corporate income taxes, risk and uncertainty.

SEE 310 - Integrated Energy Solution II

Mandatory qualifications:

  • Experience planning and designing energy/electricity systems as evidenced by having taken a relevant course and/or industry experience.
  • Knowledge of energy systems modelling tools (such as Energy System Optimization, Power System Models, etc.) as evidenced by completing a course in energy systems modelling (ex. SEE 893) or equivalent experience.

Preferred qualifications:

  • Ability to lead lab groups and project groups through modelling challenges. Previous experience guiding group work would be an asset.
  • Experience providing constructive feedback to students in person and in writing.

SEE 324 - Heat and Mass Transfer for Energy Engineering

Mandatory qualifications:

  • Good knowledge of linear/nonlinear ordinary/partial differential equations.
  • Deep knowledge of heat and mass transfer concepts, e.g. steady-state and transient 1D, 2D and 3D heat/mass diffusion in solids, lump systems, internal and external natural convection, internal and external forced convection, boiling and condensation, radiation, etc.
  • Successful completion of a course in heat transfer and/or demonstrated application of the principles of heat transfer in a research or professional environment.

Preferred qualifications:

  • General knowledge of Thermodynamics and Fluid Mechanics an asset.
  • Technical report writing experience an asset. 
  • Ability to lead lab sessions. 
  • Knowledge of lab safety practices and safe work procedures.

SEE 331 - Power Electronics

Mandatory qualifications:

  • Successful completion of at least one undergraduate course in electric/electronic circuits.
  • Successful completion of at least one undergraduate/graduate course in power electronics (topics such as dc-dc, ac-dc, dc-ac converters).
  • Demonstrated hands-on experience using multi-channel scopes and digital multimeters.
  • Demonstrated experience with software tools for the simulation of electric circuits (e.g. Simulink, PSIM, PSpice).

SEE 332 - Power Systems Analysis and Design

Mandatory qualifications:

  • Successful completion of at least one undergraduate course in electric circuits (topics such as AC power calculation, active/reactive power, AC electric circuit analysis).  
  • Successful completion of at least one undergraduate/graduate course in power system analysis (topics such as power flow, per unit system, short-circuit analysis).  
  • Demonstrated hands-on experience using multi-channel scopes and digital multimeters.
  • Demonstrated experience with software tools for the simulation of electric power systems (e.g. OpenDSS, PSS SINCAL, PowerWorld, Simulink).

SEE 341 - Signals and Systems

Mandatory qualifications:

  • Completed at least one course related to Signal and Systems or DSP completed in undergraduate/ graduate studies.  
  • Good knowledge of both analog and digital signal processing techniques.
  • Knowledge and experience with engineering software tool, MATLAB.

Preferred qualifications:

  • Ability to lead lab sessions, conduct tutorials, provide constructive feedback, and has good communication skills.
  • Knowledge of lab safety practices and safe work procedures.

SEE 342 - Feedback Control Systems

Mandatory qualifications:

  • Proficiency with transfer functions, stability analysis and associated math (Laplace transform, partial fractions, Mason’s rules and Laplace theorems).
  • Knowledge of PID/Lead/Lag controllers, root-locus and pole placement design methods. 
  • Successful completion of at least one advanced course in Electric Machines and one advanced course in Feedback Control Systems at the senior undergraduate/graduate level
  • Working knowledge with control system design/analysis software tools (e.g. MATLAB-SIMULINK)

Preferred qualifications:

  • Knowledge of lab safety practices and safe work procedures.
  • Ability to be flexible with duties based on faculty and student needs. 
  • Working experience with Quanser products is an asset. 

SEE 352 - Applied Thermodynamics and Energy Conversion

Mandatory qualifications:

  • Minimum of two completed undergraduate- or graduate-level courses in Thermodynamics.
  • Minimum of one completed undergraduate- or graduate-level course in fluid mechanics.
  • Minimum of one completed undergraduate- or graduate-level course in heat transfer.
  • Demonstrated knowledge of working in the lab environment, through prior industrial, research, or teaching experience. 
  • Knowledge of lab safety practices and safe work procedures (minimum requirement is SFU lab safety training certificate).

Preferred qualifications:

  • Demonstrated knowledge of Thermodynamics concepts, e.g. power cycles, refrigeration cycles, combustion, renewable energy generation systems, etc., through prior industrial, research, or teaching experience. 
  • Demonstrated knowledge of technical communication, specifically technical writing, through scientific publications, technical reports, and lab reports.

SEE 354 - Energy Storage

Mandatory qualifications:

  • Knowledge and demonstrated experience safely working with energy storage systems (e.g., batteries, and flywheel). 
  • Completed at least one advanced course related to energy storage systems at the senior undergraduate/graduate level, or equivalent.

Preferred qualifications:

  • Ability to lead lab sessions with good written and verbal communication skills. 
  • Knowledge of lab safety practices and safe work procedures.

 

Appointment Priorities

Priority for appointment/reappointment as a TA is in accordance with Article XIII of the Collective Agreement with the Teaching Support Staff Union (TSSU).

Per section XIII F3. 1(a), priority must be given to applicants in the following order:

  1. Graduate students registered in SEE
  2. Graduate students registered in other departments
  3. Undergraduate or external students

In allocating TA positions, SEE will also take into account the following:

  • Instructor requests
  • Applicant’s preferences
  • Amount of financial support offered on admission to the graduate program
  • Suitability for particular courses (e.g. discipline of prior degree(s), publications, experience)
  • Employment evaluations
  • Number of base units already received to ensure sufficient teaching-related experience in applicant’s field

If an assignment within a priority group requires a selection between applicants, the graduate student without financial support from merit based scholarships or merit based fellowships during the semester of appointment with a value equal to at least a 5.17 appointment, will have priority for the appointment. For specific information please refer to the TSSU Collective Agreement.

Application Requirements

  • Applicants must review and understand TA requirements for all courses 
  • Applicants must have completed SFU EHS Safety Essentials (formerly General Lab Safety) training and submit a valid certificate of completion
  • International applicants must submit a copy of their Study/Work Permit that is valid for the entire semester for which they are applying
  • Non-SEE graduate student applicants must submit a current CV and unofficial transcript (not co-op transcript) at the time of application
  • Applicants will be asked to indicate their course preferences at time of application 
  • Applicants must declare in their TA Application Form if they will be available for the entire TA appointment semester. This will NOT be used to deny their application or alter their priority.
  • SEE graduate students must use their SFU computing ID and password to login to the application system

Please ensure that you review the course calendar entry and course outline and course schedule for details about each course. All TAs must be available in-person for the duration of the semester and/or appointment dates. This includes in-person attendance at specified labs, tutorials, mid-term(s), final exam, marking sessions, etc. for the semester.

Application Process

ALL steps must be completed to be considered.

Step 1. Confirm Availability

  1. View the course schedule and select your course(s) of interest

  2. Compare your personal academic (classes and exam)/work schedule with the undergraduate course(s) you are interested in:
    • Ensure there are no time conflicts for tutorials, labs and exam invigilation
    • Remember the location of courses is in Surrey Campus and keep commute time in mind
    • Please note that you must be both qualified and available for the course(s) you apply for
    • It is your responsibility to maintain your availability until the deadline


Step 2. Complete the Application

The TA application is delivered through a web form. Non-SEE graduate student applicants should have their resumes and unofficial transcripts (not co-op transcript) ready in PDF format to upload.

If you have any questions, please contact SEE TA Assignment Manager, by email to see_ta_support@sfu.ca.

TA Appointment

SEE selects and appoints TAs based on criteria and principles in compliance with Collective Agreement with the Teaching Support Staff Union.

Successful candidates will be notified by email with an offer indicating Base Unit assignments and a specific deadline for acceptance or rejection. Please read in its entirety before accepting the TA offer.

The term of a TA appointment shall normally be seventeen (17) weeks from the beginning of a semester and in accordance with the University’s payroll schedule. Payroll schedules can be found on the SFU HR website. Your salary information can be accessed through SFU MyInfo.

If you are NOT in the SFU payroll system, there are important documents that you have to submit. SEE is UNABLE to process your appointment until these required documents are received within the time period specified.

Canadian candidates must submit:

  1. TD1 BC Tax Credit Form
  2. TD1 Federal Tax Credit Form
  3. Personal Data Form
  4. A void cheque OR a direct deposit form (you can request from your bank)

International candidates must submit:

  1. TD1 BC Tax Credit Form
  2. TD1 Federal Tax Credit Form
  3. Personal Data Form
  4. A void cheque OR a direct deposit form (you can request from your bank)
  5. Study/Work Permit (valid for entire term you are applying for)
  6. SIN Document (must be valid for entire term you’re applying for)

Please note that if your appointment is conditional, changes may occur from your acceptance of the TA offer until the 4th week of classes. If you receive a revised offer, please respond within the time period specified.

TA Appointment Reviews and Evaluations

Important milestones to note about your TA appointment:

  1. First week of Class - Time Use Guidelines (TUG): Completed by the Course Supervisor in consultation with TAs to establish the required duties and responsibilities for the appointment.  Course supervisors should also review evaluation criteria with TAs.
  2. Before the end of Week 5 of the semester - TA Workload Review: To be conducted by the course supervisor in consultation with TAs to ensure workload hours remaining is sufficient for the completion of the course. TA Workload Reviews are mandatory for all TAs. 
  3. Throughout the semester – The Course Supervisor should be in constant communication and reviewing TA’s work progress.
  4. End of the semester - TA evaluations: There will be two types of evaluations of TA performance. Both will be added to a TA’s employment file once the TA has had an opportunity to review and discuss the evaluation with their supervisor and provide comments no later than the end of the first week of classes of the following semester.

a) Evaluation by students of the course. Sample student evaluation.
b) Evaluation by the course supervisor. Sample Evaluation form. Course supervisors must review evaluation criteria with their TAs at the beginning of the semester, i.e. upon commencement of TA duties (ref. TSSU Collective Agreement - Art. XVIII A.).

Resources for TAs/TMs/Sessionals

The following links will help you get your medical coverage and other benefits, as well as help you learn how to become a better teacher.

 

Policies

Equity
The University is committed to the principle of equity in employment. (See Policy GP 19.)

Privacy
The information submitted with your application is collected under the authority of the University Act (R.S.B.C. 1996, c.468, s. 27(4)(a)), applicable federal and provincial employment regulations and requirements, the University's non-academic employment policies and applicable collective agreements.

The information is related directly to and needed by the University to initiate the employment application process. The information will be used to contact references supplied by you, evaluate your qualifications and complete the employment process by making a hiring decision. Applicant information may also be disclosed to the Teaching Support Staff Union in accordance with Article XIII F.3.1.b of the Collective Agreement.

If you have any questions about the collection, use and disclosure of this information please contact the Associate VP, Human Resources, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6. Telephone 778-782-3237.