Research Scientist X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Staff - Non Union

Job Category

M&P - AAPS

Job Profile

AAPS Salaried - Scientific Eng. Level A

Job Title

Research Scientist: X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Department

Research B. Britton Department of Materials Engineering Faculty of Applied Science

Compensation Range

$6438.50 - $9255.58 CAD Monthly

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge qualifications and experience for the the normal course employees will be hired transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date

August 10 2026

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

Job End Date

August 31 2029

At UBC we believe that attracting and sustaining a diverse workforce is key to the successful pursuit of excellence in research innovation and learning for all faculty staff and students. Our commitment to employment equity helps achieve inclusion and fairness brings rich diversity to UBC as a workplace and creates the necessary conditions for a rewarding career.

Job Summary

The pay range for this position is between $6438.50 and $9255.58 CAD monthly.

The Electron Microscopy Laboratory hosted in the Department of Materials Engineering within the Faculty of Applied Science is a core advanced characterization facility supporting researchers across UBC Canadian academic institutions and industrial partners. As part of the Characterization @ UBC research excellence cluster the Laboratory provides access to specialized microscopy spectroscopy and sample preparation capabilities that enable high-quality analysis of materials across areas such as energy aerospace advanced manufacturing and materials for net zero.

The Research Scientist will support the Laboratorys expanding surface and near-surface characterization activities with primary responsibility for the operation and application of the Thermo Fisher Scientific Nexsa G2 X-ray Photoelectron Spectrometer. The role will contribute to experimental design analytical method development instrument operation and maintenance user training data analysis and collaborative project delivery. Working independently within defined project objectives and in consultation with Laboratory leadership the incumbent will help academic and industry users develop appropriate characterization approaches interpret results and integrate XPS with related microscopy and microanalysis workflows.

Organizational Status

The Research Scientist reports to Dr. Ben Britton and works as part of the Electron Microscopy Laboratory team within the Department of Materials Engineering. The role works collaboratively with faculty members research staff technicians students visiting researchers external academic users industry partners and members of the Characterization @ UBC research cluster.

Work Performed

• Designs and implements experimental and analytical approaches for XPS-based surface and near-surface characterization. Develops protocols specifications and workflows to meet project requirements including sample preparation data acquisition spectral interpretation elemental quantification and chemical state analysis.
• Manages the day-to-day operation of the Thermo Fisher Scientific Nexsa G2 X-ray Photoelectron Spectrometer and associated analytical and sample preparation equipment. Maintains tunes calibrates and troubleshoots equipment to support reliable operation and works with suppliers and service providers.
• Management of consumables service needs operating procedures and training documentation for the Laboratory.
• Analyzes and interprets XPS data and contributes to the preparation of technical reports presentations publications and project summaries for academic and industry users.
• Communicates results assumptions limitations and uncertainty clearly to support sound scientific interpretation and decision-making.
• Development and application of correlative characterization workflows that may include XPS optical microscopy SEM TEM FIB and related sample preparation or analytical methods.
• Development of new protocols software-supported workflows or equipment implementation strategies where appropriate.
• Develops and delivers training for safe and effective operation of the XPS system and related equipment.
• Provides technical guidance to students research staff faculty members visiting researchers and external users on experimental design analytical procedures equipment use data quality and safety requirements.
• Works with academic and industry partners to understand project objectives define scope plan experimental work analyze results and meet agreed deliverables. Manages multiple projects simultaneously and contributes to budget estimates quotations timelines and client communications for facility-based work.
• Contributes to the development of new research ideas grant applications outreach materials and client engagement activities related to XPS and advanced materials characterization.
• May participate in progress meetings technical presentations conferences or publications aligned with the Laboratorys research and service activities.
• Other related duties

Consequence of Error / Judgment

The Research Scientist exercises independent professional and technical judgment in the design execution analysis and interpretation of XPS experiments. Errors in experimental design instrument setup spectral interpretation elemental quantification or chemical state assignment may result in inaccurate or misleading results for academic and industry partners. Poor judgment in data interpretation failure to identify artefacts or inadequate communication of uncertainty and limitations may compromise project outcomes affect research conclusions delay deliverables or damage the reputation of the Laboratory. Errors in instrument operation calibration maintenance sample handling or safety procedures may result in equipment damage costly downtime loss of fee-for-service revenue disruption to the user community or safety risks.

Supervision Received

The Research Scientist works independently within defined project objectives Laboratory procedures safety requirements and facility priorities. Technical guidance and direction are available from Dr. Ben Britton and other Laboratory leadership as required. The incumbent is expected to exercise independent judgment in planning and completing assigned work while consulting with Laboratory leadership on complex scientific operational financial or strategic matters.

Supervision Given

The role does not have formal ongoing management responsibility for staff but provides technical guidance training work direction and functional supervision to students research trainees visiting researchers facility users and technical personnel involved in XPS-related activities.

Minimum Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in Engineering or Applied Science. Minimum of one year of related experience or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives including perspectives in conflict with ones own.
• Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing ones own awareness knowledge and skills related to equity diversity and inclusion.

Preferred Qualifications

• PhD in a field relevant to materials characterization such as materials science and engineering physics applied physics chemical engineering chemistry or a related discipline.
• Advanced training and demonstrated experience in X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy including XPS instrument operation optimization data analysis spectral interpretation and application to materials characterization.
• Experience working in or supporting an advanced analytical research facility such as an X-ray electron microscopy spectroscopy or related materials characterization facility is preferred.
• Experience designing and delivering research or technical projects including experimental planning data interpretation reporting and communication with academic or industry partners is preferred.
• Experience training mentoring or providing technical guidance to students staff researchers or facility users is preferred.
• Strong interpersonal communication organizational and collaborative skills in a multidisciplinary research environment are preferred.
• Additional preferred experience may include data analysis workflows using Python or MATLAB in situ or in operando methods multimodal or multiscale characterization electron microscopy or focused ion beam sample preparation.

Required Experience:

IC

Employment Type : Full-Time
Experience: years
Vacancy: 1
Monthly Salary Salary: 6438 - 9255