Junior UX/UI Designer (12-Month Contract)

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Junior UX/UI Designer (12-Month Contract)

Company: ALS

Location: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada (Remote)

Job Type: Part-Time, Contract

Category: UX/UI Design & Digital Design

Date Posted: April 16, 2026

Experience Level: Junior (0-2 years)

Remote Status: Fully Remote

🚀 Role Summary

• This role is crucial for enhancing user experiences across ALS applications through expert UX/UI design principles and practical application.

• You will be instrumental in establishing and maintaining design standards and component libraries, ensuring visual consistency across all digital platforms and materials.

• The position involves close collaboration with development teams, leveraging design-to-code workflows and AI-assisted tools for efficient design handoff and implementation.

• A key aspect of this role is supporting the Geoanalytics team with essential digital and graphic design deliverables, contributing to their market presence and communication efforts.

• This contract position offers a focused opportunity to refine and expand your UX/UI and digital design skills within a global, data-driven scientific organization.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the title is Junior UX/UI Designer, the responsibilities also encompass broader digital and graphic design tasks, suggesting a hybrid role. The mention of "1 to 3 years of industry experience" in the original description, combined with "Junior" in the title, indicates a focus on early-career professionals with foundational practical experience rather than purely entry-level candidates. The remote nature within British Columbia suggests a focus on local talent or those willing to align with Pacific Time Zone work hours.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Design and implement user-centered interfaces for existing and new applications, focusing on enhancing user flows and overall usability.

• Develop, maintain, and evolve comprehensive design standards, style guides, and component libraries to ensure brand consistency and efficient design implementation across all digital touchpoints.

• Create detailed wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups to effectively communicate design concepts and user journeys to stakeholders and development teams.

• Collaborate closely with product owners, developers, and marketing teams to translate business objectives and user needs into effective and aesthetically pleasing design solutions.

• Conduct user research, usability testing, and gather feedback to inform design iterations and validate design decisions, ensuring solutions are user-validated.

• Support the Geoanalytics team by creating a range of digital assets, including branded business development materials, presentation slides, product sheets, white papers, email banners, and social media graphics.

• Facilitate effective design handoff to development teams by preparing organized, developer-ready Figma files and actively participating in discussions about AI-assisted design-to-code workflows.

• Contribute to the design and content structure of ALS's website and landing pages, ensuring optimal user experience and alignment with marketing strategies.

• Document and adhere to established design processes within an agile development framework, ensuring efficient workflow and timely delivery of design assets.

• Uphold the quality and integrity of design solutions by applying established procedures and ensuring analytical rigor in design decisions.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of core UX/UI work (user research, wireframing, prototyping) with substantial graphic and digital design duties for marketing and business development. The emphasis on "design-to-code workflows using AI-assisted tools" and "Figma files" points towards a modern, tech-forward design environment.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s Degree or diploma in Graphic Design, Interaction Design, UX/UI Design, or a closely related field. Equivalent professional experience will also be considered.

Experience: 1 to 3 years of industry experience in UX/UI design, digital design, or a related field, with a preference for experience gained in collaborative environments.

Required Skills:

• In-depth understanding of core UX/UI design principles, user-centered design methodologies, and design thinking.

• Proven proficiency with industry-standard design and prototyping tools, specifically Figma, and familiarity with Sketch or Adobe Creative Suite.

• Strong grasp of responsive design principles and a commitment to designing for accessibility (WCAG standards).

• Demonstrated ability to create detailed wireframes, interactive prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups.

• Excellent visual design, layout, and branding skills, capable of producing compelling product interfaces and marketing collateral.

• Proven experience working with and contributing to design systems and component libraries for consistent user experiences.

• Strong collaboration and communication skills, with the ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams (developers, product managers, marketing).

Preferred Skills:

• Foundational knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to better inform design decisions for web development.

• Familiarity with React-based environments and Material UI component libraries.

• Experience with Content Management Systems (CMS) for website design and updates.

• Exposure to AI-assisted design-to-development workflows and emerging design-to-code tools.

• Experience supporting scientific or technical industries with digital communication materials.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for Figma proficiency is explicitly stated. While HTML/CSS/JavaScript are listed as "a plus," their inclusion as preferred skills acknowledges the increasing overlap between design and front-end development, especially in modern tech stacks. The emphasis on AI-assisted tools indicates a forward-thinking approach to design workflows.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• A curated portfolio showcasing a range of UX/UI design projects, demonstrating a strong understanding of user-centered design principles and problem-solving.

• Examples of wireframes, prototypes, and high-fidelity mockups for web and/or mobile applications.

• Case studies that clearly articulate the design process, challenges encountered, solutions implemented, and measurable outcomes or improvements.

• Visual design examples that highlight branding application, layout skills, and consistency across different digital assets.

Process Documentation:

• Showcase examples of how you've documented design processes, user flows, or design specifications for development teams.

• Evidence of participation in or contribution to agile development methodologies and design handoff procedures.

• Examples of how user research and testing were integrated into the design process to inform iterations and validate solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a Junior UX/UI Designer role, the portfolio should emphasize foundational skills and process understanding. Focusing on clear articulation of the design journey, problem-solving, and the impact of design decisions will be key. Demonstrating familiarity with collaboration and handoff processes is also important.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range: An estimated hourly pay of $28.00 CAD. Individual compensation will be determined by factors such as job-related skills, relevant experience, education, and training.

Benefits:

• Comprehensive benefit package (specifics may vary based on employee status):

  • Extended medical coverage
  • Dental coverage
  • Vision coverage
  • Access to company perks
  • Life insurance
  • Disability insurance
  • Retirement plan with company match
  • Employee assistance program (EAP)
  • Wellness programs

• Additional vacation days awarded based on years of service.

• Business support for education or training opportunities after 9 months of employment.

• Unlimited access to e-learning resources and other learning and development opportunities.

Working Hours: The role is listed as Part-Time, with an estimated 40 hours per week implied by the common standard for full-time equivalent roles. The exact part-time schedule should be clarified during the interview process.

📝 Enhancement Note: The stated hourly rate of $28.00 CAD aligns with junior to mid-level UX/UI design roles in the Vancouver, BC area. The benefits package is comprehensive, especially for a contract role, indicating the company values employee well-being and development. Clarification on the exact "Part-Time" designation (e.g., hours per week) is crucial.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: ALS operates within the scientific testing and data-driven insights sector, serving diverse industries including environmental, food, pharmaceutical, and mining. This context means a strong emphasis on accuracy, reliability, and scientific rigor in all operations.

Company Size: ALS is a global organization with a significant employee base, indicating a structured corporate environment with established processes and opportunities for cross-departmental interaction. This scale suggests access to robust resources but also requires clear communication and adherence to company-wide standards.

Founded: Founded in 1977, ALS has a long history of scientific expertise and growth, evolving into a major international player. This longevity suggests stability, established reputation, and a mature approach to business operations and employee development.

Team Structure:

• The UX/UI Designer will likely be part of a broader digital, IT, or product development team.

• Collaboration will extend to cross-functional teams including product owners, developers, marketing, and the Geoanalytics department.

Methodology:

• Design processes are expected to align with agile methodologies, emphasizing iterative development and close team collaboration.

• Data-driven insights are central to ALS's mission, suggesting that design decisions should be informed by user data, analytics, and performance metrics.

• A focus on scientific accuracy and quality control will likely influence design standards and review processes.

Company Website: https://www.alsglobal.com/

📝 Enhancement Note: The company's scientific core implies a culture that values precision, data, and evidence-based decision-making. This should translate into design processes that are well-researched, tested, and justified. The global nature means an appreciation for diverse perspectives and standardized practices.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This role is positioned as a Junior UX/UI Designer, targeting individuals with foundational experience (0-2 years). It's an excellent opportunity to gain practical experience in a corporate setting, refine design skills, and learn about design operations within a large organization.

Reporting Structure: The designer will report to a manager or lead within the digital/product team and will collaborate extensively with developers and business stakeholders, particularly within the Geoanalytics team. This structure offers exposure to project management and cross-functional team dynamics.

Operations Impact: While not a traditional "Revenue Operations" role, this UX/UI position significantly impacts the user experience of ALS's digital platforms, which in turn influences customer engagement, data accessibility, and the overall perception of the company's technological capabilities. Improved user interfaces can lead to increased adoption, efficiency, and satisfaction among internal and external users.

Growth Opportunities:

• Skill Specialization: Opportunity to deepen expertise in UX/UI design, gain experience with AI-assisted design tools, and potentially explore front-end development basics.

• Industry Exposure: Gain valuable experience within the scientific testing and analytics industry, understanding the unique design needs of this sector.

• Portfolio Development: Build a robust portfolio with diverse projects, including application redesigns, digital marketing collateral, and contributions to design systems.

• Cross-functional Learning: Develop strong collaboration skills by working with various departments, understanding different business needs and technical constraints.

• Potential for Extension/Full-Time: Successful performance in this 12-month contract could lead to contract extension or opportunities for full-time roles within ALS, depending on business needs and individual performance.

📝 Enhancement Note: The role is a stepping stone for aspiring UX/UI designers. Growth will come from hands-on experience, mentorship (if available), and exposure to corporate design processes. The contract nature means performance is key for any potential continuation.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: This is a fully remote position. While there might be an ALS office presence in Vancouver, BC, the designer will primarily work from a home office.

Office Location(s): The role is based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, with the expectation that remote employees will be located within this region or align with its time zone.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Setup: Requires a dedicated home office space with reliable internet connectivity and suitable equipment for design work.

• Digital Collaboration: Heavy reliance on digital collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom) for communication and teamwork.

• Design Tool Integration: Access to and proficient use of cloud-based design tools like Figma will be central to daily workflow.

• Agile Environment: Exposure to fast-paced, iterative project cycles, requiring adaptability and proactive communication.

Work Schedule: The role is listed as Part-Time. The exact number of hours per week needs clarification, but typical part-time roles might range from 20-30 hours. The schedule will likely need to accommodate core business hours for collaboration with teams in British Columbia.

📝 Enhancement Note: As a remote role, the emphasis is on self-discipline, effective virtual communication, and proficiency with remote collaboration tools. Candidates should be comfortable working independently and managing their time effectively.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process: The interview process is anticipated to involve multiple stages:

• Initial Screening: A brief call to assess basic qualifications, interest, and cultural fit.

• Technical Interview/Portfolio Review: A deeper dive into the candidate's design skills, process, and portfolio. This may include a presentation of selected projects and discussion of design challenges.

• Cross-functional Interview: Meeting with potential collaborators (e.g., developers, product managers, marketing stakeholders) to assess teamwork and communication abilities.

• Hiring Manager Interview: Final discussion with the hiring manager to confirm fit, discuss expectations, and finalize terms.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Curate Selectively: Choose projects that best showcase your UX/UI and digital design skills relevant to the job description. Prioritize quality over quantity.

• Tell a Story: For each project, clearly articulate the problem, your role, the design process, the solutions you implemented, and the outcomes or learnings. Use visual aids effectively.

• Highlight Process: Demonstrate your understanding of user research, wireframing, prototyping, user testing, and design handoff.

• Showcase Versatility: Include examples that demonstrate both application interface design and graphic/digital collateral creation, as required by the role.

• Figma Emphasis: Ensure your portfolio includes strong examples of work done in Figma, as this is a primary tool for the role.

• Quantify Impact: Where possible, use data or metrics to illustrate the positive impact of your design work (e.g., improved conversion rates, reduced user errors).

Challenge Preparation:

• Be prepared for a design challenge that may involve improving an existing interface or creating a new one based on a given brief.

• Focus on demonstrating your problem-solving approach, user-centered thinking, and ability to articulate your design rationale clearly and concisely.

• Practice presenting your design solutions within a time limit, simulating a real-world scenario.

• Be ready to discuss how you would incorporate feedback and iterate on your designs.

📝 Enhancement Note: The portfolio review is critical for this role. Candidates should be prepared to walk through their projects in detail, explaining their design decisions and process. The inclusion of both UX/UI and graphic design in the portfolio will be advantageous.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• Figma: Essential for UI design, wireframing, prototyping, and creating developer-ready assets. Proficiency is a must.

• Sketch / Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign): Familiarity is beneficial for graphic design tasks and potentially for legacy file handling or specialized creative work.

Analytics & Reporting:

• While not directly responsible for analytics implementation, understanding how to interpret user data and metrics (e.g., from Google Analytics, Hotjar, or internal tools) to inform design decisions is valuable.

CRM & Automation:

• No direct CRM responsibilities are mentioned, but understanding how user interfaces interact with backend systems or customer data platforms can be an advantage.

Emerging Technologies:

• AI-assisted design-to-development tools: Interest in or experience with tools that streamline the design-to-code workflow.

📝 Enhancement Note: Proficiency in Figma is paramount. Familiarity with the broader Adobe Creative Suite and an understanding of how designs integrate with web technologies (HTML/CSS/JS, React) and CMS platforms will make a candidate more competitive.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Accuracy & Reliability: Reflecting ALS's scientific foundation, a commitment to precision, detail, and dependable design solutions is key.

• Data-Driven Decisions: Valuing the use of data, research, and user feedback to guide design choices and measure success.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Fostering a supportive environment where cross-functional teams work together effectively to achieve common goals.

• Continuous Improvement: Encouraging a mindset of innovation and ongoing optimization of both products and processes.

• User-Centricity: Placing the needs and experiences of users at the forefront of all design efforts.

Collaboration Style:

• Agile & Iterative: Working within agile frameworks, embracing flexibility and continuous feedback loops.

• Transparent Communication: Maintaining open and clear communication channels with team members and stakeholders, especially in a remote setting.

• Proactive & Independent: While collaborative, individuals are expected to manage their tasks and contribute proactively, seeking clarification when needed.

• Cross-functional Integration: Actively engaging with development, product, and marketing teams to ensure design alignment and successful project execution.

📝 Enhancement Note: The team culture likely blends the professional, data-oriented environment of a large scientific company with the dynamic, collaborative nature of a digital product development team. Remote work necessitates strong communication and proactive engagement.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing UX/UI and Graphic Design: Effectively managing diverse design responsibilities, from intricate application interfaces to marketing collateral, within a single role.

• Remote Collaboration: Maintaining strong communication, engagement, and a sense of team cohesion while working remotely.

• Design System Evolution: Contributing to or working within a potentially evolving design system, requiring adaptability and attention to detail.

• AI-Assisted Workflows: Learning and integrating new, potentially rapidly changing AI-assisted design tools into existing processes.

• Impact Measurement: Demonstrating the tangible impact of design work on user experience and business objectives, especially in a contract role.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Deepen UX/UI Expertise: Gain hands-on experience with complex application design and user research within a professional setting.

• Master Design Tools: Become highly proficient in Figma and explore its advanced features, along with other relevant design software.

• Explore Design-to-Code: Learn about modern workflows that bridge the gap between design and development, including AI applications.

• Industry Insight: Understand the specific design challenges and user needs within the scientific testing and analytics sector.

• Portfolio Enhancement: Develop a strong portfolio of work that showcases a wide range of design skills and project successes.

📝 Enhancement Note: The challenges are typical for a junior role in a dynamic environment, offering significant learning opportunities. The company's investment in learning and development resources is a key growth enabler.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• "Describe a time you had to balance user needs with business requirements in a design project. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome?" (Focus on your problem-solving process and decision-making)

• "How do you ensure design consistency across different applications and digital materials? Can you give an example from your portfolio?" (Highlight your experience with design systems and standards)

• "Walk me through a complex UX/UI project from your portfolio. What was the problem, your role, your process, and the impact of your design?" (Prepare to present 1-2 key projects in detail)

• "How do you approach design collaboration with developers and product managers, especially in a remote setting?" (Emphasize communication and handoff strategies)

Company & Culture Questions:

• "What interests you about ALS and our work in scientific testing and data analytics?" (Research ALS's mission, values, and recent news)

• "How do you stay updated on the latest UX/UI design trends and best practices?" (Demonstrate your commitment to continuous learning)

• "Describe your ideal remote work environment and how you maintain productivity and connection with your team." (Show self-management and communication skills)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure: Organize your presentation logically: Introduction, Problem Statement, Your Role, Design Process (Research, Ideation, Design, Testing), Solution, Outcomes/Learnings, and Future Considerations.

• Visuals: Use high-quality mockups, wireframes, and prototypes. Avoid cluttered slides.

• Conciseness: Focus on the most impactful aspects of each project. Aim for clarity and directness.

• Storytelling: Engage your audience by telling a compelling story about each project and your contribution to its success.

• Tool Proficiency: Be ready to discuss your specific workflows and techniques within Figma.

• Be Prepared for Q&A: Anticipate questions about your design choices, technical constraints, and alternative solutions.

📝 Enhancement Note: Candidates should prepare to not only showcase their work but also articulate their thought process and how they collaborate. Demonstrating an understanding of ALS's industry and the company's emphasis on data will be beneficial.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this UX/UI Designer position:

• Submit your application through the provided link on the ALS job portal.

• Customize Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight UX/UI design, digital design, Figma proficiency, and any experience relevant to scientific or data-driven industries. Quantify achievements where possible.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Ensure your portfolio is up-to-date, showcases your best work relevant to this role (UX/UI, graphic design, Figma projects), and includes clear case studies. Have a link readily available.

• Craft a Cover Letter: Write a concise cover letter that expresses your enthusiasm for the role, highlights your most relevant skills and experience, and explains why you are a good fit for ALS and this specific contract position.

• Research ALS: Familiarize yourself with ALS's services, mission, values, and recent company news to inform your application and potential interview discussions. Understand their global presence and industry focus.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.

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