Research Associate in Advanced Materials and Environmental Technologies

The Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver campus, invites applications for a full time Research Associate. This position is a 1-year appointment, renewable subject to work performance and funding availability.

The Research Associate provides senior level scientific leadership through the design, execution, analysis, and dissemination of original research in advanced materials, polymers, bio-based materials, nanomaterials, and environmental technologies. Working across the Foster and Cranston research groups as a senior member, the successful candidate works with a high degree of independence and scientific judgment to lead research projects within priorities established by the Principal Investigators.

The role includes developing and implementing experimental methodologies, generating and interpreting research, leading collaborative studies and scientific work packages, publishing scholarly outputs, preparing grant proposals, identifying new research opportunities, managing research resources and laboratory infrastructure, mentoring research personnel, and supporting program growth through external funding.

The successful candidate collaborates with students, postdoctoral fellows, research staff, academic and industry partners, and external stakeholders, and consults with the Principal Investigators on matters that may significantly affect the laboratory or research program.

Research Execution, Scientific Leadership, and Laboratory Operations – 50%

• Independently designs, conducts, and leads original experimental research on functional bio-based polymers, cellulose and other nanomaterials, composites, sustainable materials processing, and environmental technologies, as appropriate to active Foster and Cranston laboratory projects.
• Develops research questions, experimental plans, performance targets, and validation strategies based on critical assessment of scientific literature.
• Leads material synthesis, processing, testing and characterization; selecting and optimizing analytical techniques, research protocols and experimental methods.
• Analyzes and interprets experimental data using statistical and computational methods to evaluate reproducibility and uncertainty, identify structure-property-performance relationships, and guide future research.
• Provides scientific leadership for complex research projects and multidisciplinary collaborations, including study design, technical troubleshooting, milestone delivery, coordination of research activities, and dissemination of findings.
• Develops, validates, and documents new experimental methods and standard operating procedures; maintains complete, accurate research records and sound data-management and research-integrity practices.
• Mentors and trains graduate students, undergraduate researchers, postdoctoral fellows, and research staff in experimental design, advanced methods, data interpretation, scientific writing, and responsible research practices.
• Oversees specialized research instrumentation, laboratory infrastructure, safety, procurement, maintenance, and equipment training to support reliable and efficient complex research operations.

Research Program Development, Grants, and Scientific Dissemination – 50%

• Identifies emerging research opportunities and develops innovative research concepts, and funding initiatives aligned with the group's strategic priorities and expertise.
• Leads the development of grant and sponsored research proposals, including research design, methodology, feasibility assessment, budgets, timelines, risk management, and integration of contributions from collaborators.
• Works with the Principal Investigators and collaborators to develop coherent multi-year research programs, define research objective and work packages, foster collaborations with academic, government, community, and industry stakeholders.
• Generates and synthesizes preliminary data, proof-of-concept results, figures, technical analyses, and scientific justifications that strengthen grant applications and support funding decisions.
• Leads and contributes to scholarly publications, peer-reviewed manuscripts and technical reports.
• Present and disseminates research outcomes through presentations, conferences, seminars, and meetings with industry and research stakeholders.
• Contributes to research reporting, grant renewals, project evaluation, knowledge mobilization, intellectual property assessments, and future research and infrastructure planning.
• Performs other related duties consistent with a senior, research-active Research Associate appointment.

Supervision Received

The Research Associate works under the general direction of the Principal Investigators.

The Research Associat