Research Associate

University of Toronto; Toronto; On-site; CAD 53,000 - 101,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious educational institution in Toronto seeks a Research Associate specializing in electron microscopy for material science. The ideal candidate will operate advanced microscopy instrumentation, support an array of users, and contribute to research activities and publications. Applicants must hold a PhD in a related field and possess extensive hands-on experience with electron microscopy techniques. This position offers a full-time, limited-term appointment with competitive compensation ranging from $53,520 to $100,350.

Qualifications

• PhD in relevant discipline is essential.
• Expertise in electron microscopy techniques required.
• Experience training researchers in laboratory settings.

Responsibilities

• Operate and maintain electron microscopy instruments.
• Train and support users on microscopy techniques.
• Contribute to research project proposals and publications.

Skills

Microscopy expertise

Crystallography knowledge

Analytical skills

Data analysis

Interpersonal skills

Education

PhD in Materials Science, Physics, or Chemistry

Tools

TEM

SEM

FIB-SEM

Job description

Date Posted: 01/30/2026
Req ID: 46794
Faculty/Division: Faculty of Applied Science & Engineering
Department: Department of Materials Science & Engineering
Campus: St. George (Downtown Toronto)

Overview

The Open Centre for the Characterization of Advanced Materials (OCCAM) electron microscopy laboratory, located within the Department of Materials Science & Engineering at the University of Toronto, invites applications for a Research Associate (Limited-Term) position specializing in electron microscopy for material science. The successful candidate will provide technical expertise and operational support for OCCAM’s advanced electron microscopy facilities, supporting a diverse academic research community through instrument operation, method development, user training, and collaborative research activities.

Note: This is a full-time, limited-term appointment with an initial term of six (6) months, with the possibility of renewal.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Operate, maintain, and troubleshoot advanced electron microscopy instrumentation, including TEM, STEM, SEM, and FIB-SEM, as well as associated sample preparation equipment.
• Develop, optimize, and document materials-focused workflows for imaging, diffraction, and analytical spectroscopy.
• Perform advanced characterization and analysis using techniques such as EDS, EELS, EBSD, diffraction, tomography, and in-situ electron microscopy.
• Train and support faculty, graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and other users in the safe and effective use of microscopy instrumentation.
• Advise users on experimental design, sample preparation, data acquisition, interpretation of results.
• Support day-to-day facility operations, including scheduling, user access, data management, and compliance with safety and regulatory requirements.
• Contribute to collaborative research projects, publications, and reports.
• Assist with proposal development for research and instrumentation funding and remain current with emerging techniques in materials characterization.
• Support facility outreach and engagement activities, including tours, workshops/summer schools, demonstrations, training events, and contributions to facility websites, reports, and promotional materials, in order to promote OCCAM’s facility capabilities to internal and external communities.

Qualifications

• PhD in Materials Science and Engineering, Physics, Chemistry, or a closely related discipline.
• Strong academic background in solid-state physics, crystallography, and materials characterization, including formal training in electron–matter interactions and microscopy theory.
• Demonstrated expertise in advanced electron microscopy and microanalysis, including imaging, diffraction, and spectroscopic techniques.
• Extensive hands-on experience with SEM- and TEM-based methods, including analytical and high-resolution workflows.
• Proficiency in crystallographic and compositional analysis at micro- to atomic length scales.
• Experience with sample preparation for electron microscopy (mechanical, ion/FIB-based).
• Proficiency in microscopy data analysis and interpretation, including image, diffraction, and spectroscopic datasets.
• Proven ability to operate, align, optimize, calibrate, and troubleshoot complex electron microscopy systems, including electron sources, vacuum systems, stages, detectors, and control electronics
• Experience performing routine instrument maintenance and performance monitoring.
• Experience training and supporting researchers in a shared laboratory or research environment. This includes training, mentoring, and certifying users with diverse technical backgrounds.
• Demonstrated record of collaborative research contributions, including co-authorship on peer-reviewed publications.
• Strong organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to laboratory safety, documentation, and standard operating procedures.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to interdisciplinary research teams.

Application Process

Interested applicants should submit the following materials:

• A cover letter describing relevant experience and technical expertise
• A curriculum vitae

Closing Date: 02/09/2026, 11:59PM ET
Employee Group: Research Associate
Personnel Subarea: Research Assoc
Appointment Type: Grant - Term
Schedule: Full-Time
Pay Scale Group & Hiring Zone: R01 -- Research Associates (Limited Term): $53,520 - $100,350
Job Category: Engineering / Technical