Research Assistant – Drinking Water Quality and Treatment

University of British Columbia - Staff; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading research university in Vancouver is seeking a Research Assistant to support developments in drinking water quality and treatment. You will operate water treatment systems both in the field and laboratory, analyze samples, and collaborate with municipal partners. Ideal candidates possess strong analytical skills and a background in environmental engineering or related fields.

Qualifications

• Minimum two years of related experience or equivalent education.
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives.
• Commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion.

Responsibilities

• Operate pilot-scale water treatment systems.
• Perform field work and interact with engineers.
• Analyze water samples using analytical instruments.
• Prepare reports based on experimental data.

Skills

Research and analytical skills

Communication

Teamwork

Education

High school graduation

Training in a related field

Tools

Analytical instruments

Job description

Staff - Union

Job Category CUPE 116 Job ProfileCUPE 116 Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 2 Job Title Research Assistant – Drinking Water Quality and Treatment Department Mohseni,Madjid | Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering | Faculty of Applied Science Compensation Range $4,426.00 - $4,845.00 CAD Monthly Posting End Date August 7, 2025

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

Job End Date

August 31, 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.

The Department of Chemical & Biological Engineering at UBC – Vancouver is seeking a Research Assistant - Drinking Water Quality and Treatment

This position is for a 12 months term.

Job Summary
One position is available for motivated and industrially oriented individual to support the team’s research and development efforts, headed by the UBC Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering. The successful candidate will be primarily stationed at a municipal water treatment plant, and will have two responsibilities: (i) operating pilot-scale water treatment systems, in close collaboration with industry and municipal partners, (ii) carrying out various tests on water samples collected from the field, using state-of-the-art analytical instruments at UBC.

Organizational Status
Sustainable Water Innovation and Research Laboratory (SWIRL) is working in partnership with industry and municipalities, to advance novel technologies to tackle the greatest water treatment challenges of our time. Headed up by Dr. Madjid Mohseni, the team’s diverse project portfolio includes developing resilient surface water filtration systems for municipalities and resource-constrained communities.

Work Performed

• Performing field work and interact with engineers and operators at pilot sites.

• Operating and monitoring various water treatment systems, collecting samples, preparing the samples for analysis.

• Analyzing water samples using analytical instruments.

• Carrying out lab-scale experiments for the removal of various contaminants (including emerging contaminants) from water.

• Analyzing the data obtained from the experiments and preparing reports.

• The successful candidate will work closely with engineers from industry, and supervised jointly by field engineers and by senior (postdoctoral and doctoral) lab members, with oversight from the principal investigator. They will participate in lab meetings and will have the opportunity to present their project outcomes and learnings at the end of their term.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Works within well-defined guidelines and established procedures, exercising sound judgment in setting priorities and completing tasks efficiently. Unusual or complex issues are escalated to the supervisor. Errors in judgment or failure to follow protocols may impact the accuracy of research results, delay project timelines, or compromise laboratory operations.

Supervision Received

• Departmental and site safety training (including in-person Chemical Safety Training and online safety and security modules)

• In-person training provided by senior lab members or field personnel.

• One-to-one mentorship offered by senior lab members with participation from principal investigator.

• Opportunities to work with industry partners, as well as community representatives.

• Participating in lab meetings and present project outcomes to peer graduate researchers and principal investigator.

• Acquire hands-on skills for operation and monitoring of water treatment systems both in the lab and in the field.

• Enhance laboratory skills in water quality analysis and other related wet lab techniques.

• Exposure to research and academia through working together with and learning from peer graduate researchers and principal investigator

• Exposure to aspects of industrial water treatment technologies and develop connections with industrial contacts

Supervision Given
May distribute work assignments to employees at lower classification levels and initiate new employees into routines, procedures and the operation of equipment.

Minimum Qualifications
High school graduation, some additional training in a related field and a minimum two years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience.

- 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

• Background in chemical engineering, environmental engineering, or a related field.

• Strong research and analytical skills.

• Familiarity with literature review processes and scientific writing.

• Experience working in a laboratory setting, preferably with knowledge of water treatment processes.

• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.

• An interest in water treatment technologies!

Special Job Requirements

• Ability and interests to work in the field, at a water treatment facility

• Class 5 Driver’s License and a safe driving record.

• Ability to lift equipment/water buckets (approximately 20 kg).

• The field site will be outside the Lower Mainland, so it will require extended time away from Vancouver (accommodation to be covered)