Research Associate

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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

The salary is $68,932/year.

The Department of Civil Engineering at the University of British Columbia, Vancouver campus invites applications for a full-time 1-year appointment as a Research Associate in Environmental Systems Engineering with the possibility of renewal subject to funding availability and job performance. The anticipated start date is February 1st, 2025. The salary is $68,932/year.

The candidate will be a lead researcher in a multi-disciplinary project between UBC, Egerton University, Kisii University, and ultraviolet light-emitting diode (UV LED) manufacturers to explore and evaluate innovative UV LED water treatment technologies for drinking water systems in remote communities.

Responsibilities

All duties and responsibilities will be carried out under the direction of Dr. Sara Beck and subject to evaluation by your Supervisor.

Responsibilities include:

• Conducting UV disinfection experiments with mercury vapor lamps, UVLEDs, solar simulators and other novel UV sources,

• Conducting experiments with batch and flow through UV LED reactors,

• Evaluating the performance of UV LED photoreactors under real-world conditions in collaboration with rural or marginalized communities,

• Conducting water disinfection experiments with disinfectants such as chlorine, ozone, UV, peracetic acid, performic acid,

• Determining the molecular mechanisms of water disinfection with novel disinfectants,

• Providing operational supervision of the project and the people involved with it,

• Collaborating with project sponsors and stakeholders, and interdisciplinary academic collaborators from both UBC and other universities,

• Supervising and/or co-supervising graduate students,

• Seeking, securing, and supporting grants as the primary investigator, co-investigator, and/or senior personnel,

• Seeding, serving, and sustaining high-caliber research activity at UBCV,

• Disseminating research in publications and presentations at national and international conferences,

• Conducting training workshops on small-scale water disinfection,

• Teaching strategic courses in water disinfection, water treatment processes, WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) or fluid dynamics if in alignment with the career ambitions of the candidate and in support of the needs of the Civil Engineering department.

Applicants must meet the requirements below.

• A Ph.D. degree in civil engineering, environmental engineering or relevant disciplines

• Minimum of 10 publications in high-impact peer-reviewed journals (at least five first-author publications)

• Minimum of one year of teaching experience relevant to environmental engineering

• Expertise on conducting water disinfection experiments

• Experience on conducting UV disinfection experiments including calculating UV dose in batch reactors using radiometry, biodosimetry and actinometry

• Expertise in validating photoreactors with bioassays and determining the reduction equivalent dose (RED) applied,

• Experience in organizing, coordinating, and managing research projects

• A clear understanding of the academic research process acquired through practical and academic experience

• Work experience in East African regions

Review of applications will commence: January 9, 2025

Applicants must submit the following: curriculum vitae, concise statements of research interests, and the names of three references.

All applications must be submitted online at: https://ubc.wd10.myworkdayjobs.com/ubcfacultyjobs.

Further information on the Department is available at http://www.civil.ubc.ca.

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.

You are expected to observe, at all times, the highest professional standards. In support of this, you are expected to become familiar with the UBC Respectful Environment Statement for Students, Faculty and Staff. The statement reflects our core values of mutual respect and equity, and promotes a safe, caring, and respectful campus community. UBC holds all staff, faculty and students accountable for carrying out their duties and responsibilities in accordance with this Statement.

As an employee of the University of British Columbia, you are required to present to the Human Resources Department original documentation to confirm (1) your identity and (2) your eligibility to be employed in Canada (i.e. a valid social insurance number) and, if applicable, supporting documentation from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

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