Research Associate - Sr. Scientist, ARPES/TR-ARPES

University of British Columbia - Staff; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of British Columbia’s Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute seeks a Research Associate - Sr. Scientist to conduct high-level research in quantum materials. The candidate will lead experiments in photoelectron spectroscopy, mentor students, and publish findings in top-tier journals while collaborating on national and international projects.

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience in research or research and development.
• Expertise in spin-, time-, and angle-resolved photoemission.
• History of patents and publications in respected journals.

Responsibilities

• Collaborates with institute members to define research strategy.
• Leads research on electronic structure of quantum materials.
• Mentors students and assists in research project planning.

Skills

Advanced photoelectron spectroscopy

Research leadership

Independent research

Mentoring

Education

PhD in Physics

Job description

Academic

Job Category Faculty Non Bargaining Job Title Research Associate - Sr. Scientist, ARPES/TR-ARPES Department Research | Quantum Matter Institute | Faculty of Science (Andrea Damascelli) Posting End Date June 17, 2025

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

Job End Date Mar 31, 2026

The expected pay (or pay range) for this position is $8,000 - $10,000/month .

Job Summary

The Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute at UBC (Blusson QMI) is a world-leading venture into research of systems and phenomena explicitly involving quantum mechanics. One of its core areas of strength is research into the electronic properties of quantum materials with high-resolution photoelectron spectroscopy approaches, in particular spin-,time-, and angle-resolved photoelectron spectroscopy (so-called ARPES).

The Research Associate - Sr. Scientist, ARPES/TR-ARPES will support Principal Investigators and Senior Scientists who are researching novel quantum materials and structures by spin and time-resolved ARPES, participating in the design of experiments and implementing the research project. The Research Associate will also contribute to writing and publishing articles in top-tier journals, mentoring Blusson QMI students, and collaborating with other national and international academic institutions, government, and industry organizations. Other activities include attending conferences and workshops to gather and disseminate knowledge of advances in spectroscopy and quantum materials' research and participation in writing and submission of grants to fund research activities.

Organizational Status

The Research Associate - Sr. Scientist, ARPES/TR-ARPES reports to the Blusson QMI Scientific Director and to Principal Investigators conducting research into the electronic structure of quantum materials by ARPES. Provides support to other Blusson QMI Principal Investigators as required. The incumbent makes decisions regarding planning and implementation of research projects and provides mentoring and coaching to students.

Work Performed

Research

- Collaborates with the Members and Associate Members of Blusson QMI to define research strategy for the institute.

- Leads and conducts research on the spin-, momentum, and time-resolved electronic structure of quantum materials and structures.

- Makes recommendations regarding design and modification of research projects and resource needs related to the above research themes.

- Contributes to the preparation and writing of research proposals.

- Researches and develops new experimental techniques that will increase and maintain scientific excellence; prepares reports on these and other research activities.

- Maintains records of research activities and outcomes; prepares official research reports and statistics to support Blusson QMI and UBC performance-related metrics and other university-related administrative requirements.

Facilities Operations

- Participates in relevant committees such as those determining project and space requirements, new projects, and redevelopment of existing space.

- Ensures that equipment and laboratories used in the course of experiments are well maintained and the processes and procedures related to use of space and/or equipment are followed.

- Coordinates the pool of Blusson QMI, national, and international users and collaborators of the Quantum Materials Spectroscopy Center (QMSC), a $16M national beamline facility. Monitors beamline performance and operations, and implements further upgrades.

- Assists and supervises Blusson QMI’s students, postdoctoral fellows, and researchers interested in performing photoelectron spectroscopy experiments at Blusson QMI and at the Canadian Light Source on QMSC.

- Leads the development and operation of the ultra-violet (6eV) laser effort for time- and angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy (TR-ARPES) within the UBC-Moore Center for Ultrafast Quantum Matter at Blusson QMI.

- Leads the development, commission, and operation of the newly funded $6.5M CFI effort for the instrumentation and methodology for coincidence two-electron angle-resolved photoemission spectroscopy, or “2e-ARPES”.

Supervision Received

Works independently, in consultation with faculty members. Is called upon to use unique and highly advanced technical knowledge to resolve complex scientific and technical problems that have not been previously encountered and do not have established methods, principles or guidelines to follow for resolution - develops these as necessary and documents the process.

Supervision Given

Provides ongoing support, advice, and mentoring to students.

Qualifications

- PhD in Physics, specializing in advanced photoelectron spectroscopy of quantum systems;

- Minimum of 5 years of experience in a research, or research and development environment;

- Patents and/or publications in reputable scientific journals;

- Strong reputation for expertise in spin-, time-, and angle-resolved photoemission with continuous as well as ultrafast laser sources;

- Demonstrated capacity to pursue independent research;

- Experience leading research projects;

- Experience supervising students or staff.