NUT Research Assistant Tech 4 - Rojas Lab

University of British Columbia - Staff; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of British Columbia seeks a Research Assistant for the BioProducts Institute, focusing on advanced barrier materials research. This position requires collaboration with a multidisciplinary team, conducting experiments, mentoring students, and involves balancing innovation with project needs to align research with industry requirements. A commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusive practices is essential.

Qualifications

• Completion of a university degree in a relevant discipline with min 4 years of related experience.
• Strong background in bio-based materials engineering.
• Experience in interdisciplinary research environments.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to research on advanced barrier materials and sealant technologies.
• Design and conduct experiments for barrier property evaluation.
• Mentor students and maintain laboratory records.

Skills

Judgment

Initiative

Interpersonal skills

Equity and diversity awareness

Education

University degree in relevant discipline

Graduate degree (preferred)

Job description

Staff - Non Union

Job Category Non Union Technicians and Research Assistants Job ProfileNon Union Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 4 Job Title NUT Research Assistant Tech 4 - Rojas Lab Department BioProducts Institute | Dean's Office | Faculty of Applied Science Compensation Range $5,220.98 - $6,124.46 CAD Monthly Posting End Date June 27, 2025

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

Job End Date

Jul 14, 2026

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 UBC BioProducts Institute's (BPI) vision is to develop research capacity and educational

programs related to the formation of plant-derived materials and pathways for their sustainable

transformation into new low-carbon products. The UBC BPI is an internationally recognized, multi- disciplinary research cluster of researchers, scientists, engineers, and policy experts from across multiple UBC faculties.

This is a grant funded one year position with possibility to extend based on funding availability.

Organizational Status
This position reports directly to Dr. Orlando Rojas. This position will work as part of Dr. Orlando’s research team and collaborate closely with other researchers in the lab.

Work Performed

The research assistant will contribute to a multidisciplinary research program focused on the development and evaluation of advanced barrier materials and sealant technologies for flexible liquid packaging applications.

Key responsibilities include designing and conducting experiments to characterize oxygen and moisture barrier properties, as well as evaluating adhesion performance and mechanical integrity of sealant layers under various environmental conditions.

This Research Assistant will be expected to work with both bio-based materials, and apply relevant analytical techniques such as permeation analysis, spectroscopy, microscopy, and mechanical testing.

As part of a broader research team, the Research Assistant will assume duties typical of a RA, including maintaining detailed records, preparing progress reports, and contributing to manuscripts and grant proposals.

This Research Assistant will also serve as a master user for select laboratory equipment (e.g., barrier testers, tensile testers, hot tack sealers) and supporting access for other users. In addition, the role involves mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, supporting knowledge transfer, and interfacing with industrial partners to facilitate translation of research findings into practice.

Active participation in regular meetings with academic and industry stakeholders is expected to align research objectives with application needs and commercialization opportunities.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

This position requires judgment, tact, discretion and initiative to an outstanding degree. Errors in judgment with internal or external constituents could have negative impact on the Bioproducts Institute and the University resulting in poor public relations, financial costs, loss of credibility.

Work must often meet tight deadlines and requires the incumbent to perform well under pressure. The incumbent will be expected to respond well to unexpected circumstances and exercise independent judgment. The incumbent must demonstrate exceptional public relations and interpersonal skills in dealing with government, high profile members and senior administration of the university community. Inappropriate or errant communications of sensitive issues could have a serious impact on operations and have legal implications.

Exercises judgment and initiative in handling matters of a non-routine nature requiring the interpretation of University and Faculty guidelines, procedures and policies. Expected to exercise judgment in establishing priorities and carrying tasks through to completion in a timely manner. Reviews working procedures and implements changes as deemed appropriate.

Supervision Received
The incumbent reports to Dr. Rojas directly. The incumbent works independently with minimal supervision. Work is reviewed in terms of effectiveness within established policies and guidelines.

Supervision Given
This position may manage the work of temp staff or students as assigned, and may be required to provide supervision to lab/equipment users.

Minimum Qualifications
Completion of a university degree in a relevant discipline or technical program and a minimum four years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Some positions may require a graduate degree.

- Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own

- Demonstrates a commitment to enhancing one’s own awareness, knowledge, and skills related to equity, diversity, and inclusion

Preferred Qualifications

We seek candidates with a strong background in bio-based materials engineering, particularly in the development and application of cellulose nanomaterials for advanced functional systems. Preferred expertise includes biobased triboelectric energy harvesting, barrier coatings for sustainable packaging, wearable sensors, and related. Experience working in interdisciplinary and collaborative research environments, including industry partnerships, is highly desirable. A track record of high-impact publications, mentoring students, and securing research funding or fellowships will be considered an asset. Familiarity with both experimental materials design and scalable fabrication processes is also welcome.