Postdoctoral Research Fellow

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

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The expected pay for this position is $50,000.00/year

Are you interested in working on new technologies to improve drinking water quality in small communities? The School of Engineering (SoE) at the University of British Columbia (UBC), Okanagan campus, is accepting applications for a Postdoctoral Researcher in ultraviolet (UV) light-emitting diode (LED) photoreactor technology, working with Professors Kenneth Chau, Nicolas Peleato, and Lorne Whitehead. As the lead researcher in a multi-disciplinary project between UBC, Watersprint Technologies, and the First Nations Technical Services Advisory Group, the individual will lead the day-to-day operations of a multi-year research project that will explore innovative ultraviolet UV LED water treatment technologies suitable for drinking water systems in small communities. The initial appointment is for one year and subject to work performance, will be extended. To date there are 3 years of stable support for this position; including salary and access to $5,000/year in materials and supplies to drive a research agenda forward.

Applicants should be at the rank of Postdoctoral Researcher, with doctoral and postdoctoral experience at labs in UV photoreactors, applied optics, optical materials design and fabrication, and environmental sensors. The Postdoctoral Researcher will have a track record of pursuing independent, innovative projects and ideally be an optical scientist or optical engineer with a PhD in Physics, Optical Engineering, and/or Nanotechnology. Based on their high-quality publication/patent record, they will have experience using optical simulation techniques to design micro- and nano-structured systems, developing robust fabrication techniques, performing experimental characterization of optical materials and systems, and testing device performance under real-world conditions. They must be deeply skilled at designing, fabricating, trouble-shooting, and characterizing optical materials operating at visible or UV frequencies and have experience implementing these materials in systems under real-world conditions. They have broad experience building, supporting and running a high-caliber research program with outcomes disseminated to academic, non-profit, and industrial partners.

Applicants will also have a stellar reputation supporting the training of Highly Qualified Personnel (HQP); serving as a role model for inclusive excellence in support of diverse people, ideas, and opportunities. Because the Postdoctoral Researcher will represent their supervisor and UBC/O in many venues, it is imperative that they have excellent written and oral communication skills, as well as stakeholder engagement and conflict resolution abilities. While based at UBC Okanagan, the Postdoctoral Researcher is expected to seek, secure, and support collaborations with the Vancouver campus. The Postdoctoral Researcher will actively collaborate and maintain partnerships with the Sustainable Solutions Applied Physics Laboratory at UBC Vancouver, Watersprint Technologies, and the First Nations Technical Services Advisory Group.

Expectations for the Postdoctoral Researcher include but are not limited to: (1) designing UV optical materials using optical simulation techniques, (2) developing scalable fabrication techniques to realize material designs, (3) integrating UV optical materials into UV LED photoreactors and testing their performance under real-world conditions in collaboration with small communities, (4) provide operational supervision of the project and the people involved with it, (5) supervise and/or co-supervise graduate students, (6) seek, secure, and support grants as the primary investigator, co-investigator, and/or senior personnel, (7) seed, serve, and sustain high-caliber research activity at UBCO, (7) and teach strategic courses in Engineering, Optics, and/or Physics if it is both aligned to the career ambitions of the candidate and in support of the School of Engineering’s commitment to Outlook 2040.

Please send your application online by March 8, 2025. Applications should include: (1) curriculum vitae including descriptions of previous projects; (2) a maximum 1-page letter of interest describing your motivations and qualifications; and (3) names and contact information for three referees. The complete application file should be submitted in the format of one PDF file.

In assessing applications, UBC recognizes the legitimate impact that leaves (e.g., parental leave, leave due to illness) can have on a candidate's record of research achievement. These leaves will be taken into careful consideration during the assessment process and should be included in the letter of interest and/or the curriculum vitae.

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 applicants are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority consideration.

UBC welcomes and encourages applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for all candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. To make a confidential request for accommodations, please contact Professor Kenneth Chau at kenneth.chau@ubc.ca.

The anticipated start date of the Postdoctoral Researcher position is July 1, 2025 or upon a date to be mutually agreed.