Research Associate Photo-Activated Materials & Optical Sensors

Job Category

Job Profile

Job Title

Department

Compensation Range

Posting End Date

Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date

Duration: 1 year renewable for a second year based on work performance and funding availability
FTE and Work hours: Full time 100% FTE 40 hours per week
Salary: $76128 per year

About UBC

The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and instruction consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities globally. We are recognized as a leading employer in British Columbia (BC) and Canada and consistently chosen as one of BCs best places to work and top employers. We prioritize and intentionally focus on building a diverse and inclusive workforce which is why UBC is recognized as one of Canadas best diversity employers. Professional growth and career development are promoted and encouraged at UBC and opportunities to achieve career aspirations are included in our strategic plan.

Job Description

The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the University of British Columbia Vancouver campus is seeking a highly motivated Research Associate to join our team focusing on the intersection of advanced material science and optoelectronic engineering. The successful candidate will lead the development of next-generation sensors moving from the synthesis of novel semiconductor materials to the design and testing of functional optical gas sensor prototypes.

Review of applications will begin on April 6 2026 and continue on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

Start Date: Aprildepending on successful applicant

Location: UBC Vancouver campus

Duration: 1 year renewable for a second year based on work performance and funding availability

FTE and Work hours: Full time 100% FTE 40 hours per week

Salary: $76128 per year

Job Responsibilities

• Material Development & Characterization:Lead the experimental synthesis of semiconductor materials focusing on photo-activated materials tailored for sensing applications. Perform structural and chemical analysis of materials using tools such as XRD SEM and XPS.

• Optoelectronic Development & Integration:Conduct experimental studies on the development and application of optical emitters (LEDs/Lasers) and detectors (Photodiodes) for sensing applications.

• Sensor Design & Prototyping:Design develop and assemble UV-activated and optical gas sensor prototypes.

• Validation & Testing:Establish protocols to evaluate sensor sensitivity selectivity and stability in controlled gas environments.

Others

• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students

• Carries out other related duties as required and contributes to special projects as needed.

Technical Skills & Core Expertise

• Semiconductor Chemistry:Proficiency in experimental synthesis techniques (e.g. sol-gel hydrothermal or CVD) for photo-activated semiconductor solid solutions.

• Optics & Photonics:Hands-on experience with optical components including light source integration (UV/Visible) detector alignment and signal modulation.

• Analytical Instrumentation:Expertise in material characterization (XRD SEM EDX UV-Vis spectroscopy) and electronic testing (Source Measure Units).

• Data Analysis & Design:Skills inPythonMATLAB orLabVIEWfor data acquisition alongside familiarity with optical simulation or CAD software.

Required Qualifications

Educational Requirements:

• APh.D. in Chemical Engineering Materials Science Chemistry Optics and Photonics or a closely related field.

• Minimum 3 years of relevant postdoctoral research fellow experience

• Candidates withdirectly relevant experiencein UV-activated sensor or optical sensor development are strongly preferred.

Professional Attributes:

• Proven ability to bridge the gap between fundamental material research and functional device prototyping.

• Strong analytical troubleshooting skills within a laboratory environment.

• Excellent technical communication skills for documenting research and presenting findings.

Application Process

To apply please submit the following documents in a single PDF and apply through the Workday system Vitae (max 5 pages)

Letter (1 page)

of Current Research (1 page)

4. Contact information for two academic references (referees will be contacted only if shortlisted)

Inquiries about the position may be directed to

Please visit our Phototechology Innovation Lab website at Statement

UBC is committed to equity diversity and inclusion. Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code including sex sexual orientation gender identity or expression racialization disability political belief religion marital or family status age and/or status as a First Nation Metis Inuit or Indigenous person.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.

We acknowledge that the UBC Point Grey (Vancouver) campus sits on the traditional ancestral unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəyəm (Musqueam) First Nation.