Research Engineer - Instrumentation

University of British Columbia; British Columbia; On-site; CAD 74,000 - 106,000; Full time

Job summary

University of British Columbia in British Columbia, Canada, seeks a Research Engineer - Instrumentation to design, fabricate, and implement tools, protocols, and analytical methods for measuring combustion and emissions of alternative fuels for engines.

The incumbent will interact with the UBC team and industrial partners for equipment design, data collection, analysis, and reporting, with emphasis on documentation for reporting and archiving.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in Engineering or Applied Science. Minimum of one year of related experience, or the equivalent combination of education and experience.

Responsibilities

• Design and create unique prototype equipment for novel engineering applications, includes assessing requirements, consulting with stakeholders, completing the full-cycle design process, conducting analysis and testing, and preparing documentation.
• Design, fabricate, implement, and maintenance of instrumentation, equipment, and protocols for measuring and evaluating the combustion and emissions of alternative fuels and energy systems.
• Develop and implement measurement techniques and protocols for emission and combustion data collection using lab- or field-based approaches.
• Develop, implement, and maintain software for instrument control and operation, and data analysis using programming languages such as Labview, Matlab, and/or Python/NumPy.
• Oversee the proper operation of laboratory facility, including: maintaining safe work environment; designing, fabrication, and commissioning of custom equipment; purchasing of equipment and supplies; maintenance of equipment; troubleshooting equipment; interfacing with external vendors and contractors.
• Support measurement campaigns for data collection, including campaign design and planning, operation of research engine facility and instrumentation, analysis of collected data, and/or preparation of engineering reports and/or data archives.
• Prepare archival research documentation such as journal articles, conference papers and presentations, seminars, and/or workshops.
• Document activities and provide regular reports to the supervisor and other team members.
• Provide guidance to graduate research students in the development, fabrication, operation, and maintenance of lab equipment.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Tools

LabVIEW

MATLAB

Python/NumPy

Job description

Staff - Non Union

Job Category

M&P - AAPS

Job Profile

AAPS Salaried - Scientific Eng., Level A

Job Title

Research Engineer - Instrumentation

Department

Research Group | Thermochemical Energy Conversion Systems Lab | Department Mechanical Engineering | Faculty of Applied Science

Compensation Range

$6,631.67 - $9,533.25 CAD Monthly

The Compensation Range is the span between the minimum and maximum base salary for a position. The midpoint of the range is approximately halfway between the minimum and the maximum and represents an employee that possesses full job knowledge, qualifications and experience for the position. In the normal course, employees will be hired, transferred or promoted between the minimum and midpoint of the salary range for a job.

Posting End Date

October 14, 2026

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

Job End Date

October 31, 2027

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

This position is responsible for design, fabrication, and implementation of tools, protocols, and analytical methods for measuring and evaluating the combustion and emissions of alternative fuels for engines. The incumbent will need to interact with UBC team members and industrial partners for design of equipment, protocols and analytical methods, as well as collection of data, analysis, and reporting. Documentation for reporting and archiving purposes is required.

Organizational Status

Reports directly to the Principal Investigator, Dr. P. Kirchen and receives additional supervision from senior research staff. Will work in co-operation with other members of the research group, including graduate students and other PI’s at UBC and/or external partners.

Work Performed

• Design and create unique prototype equipment for novel engineering applications, includes assessing requirements, consulting with stakeholders, completing the full-cycle design process, conducting analysis and testing, and preparing documentation.
• Design, fabricate, implement, and maintenance of instrumentation, equipment, and protocols for measuring and evaluating the combustion and emissions of alternative fuels and energy systems.
• Develop and implement measurement techniques and protocols for emission and combustion data collection using lab- or field-based approaches.
• Develop, implement, and maintain software for instrument control and operation, and data analysis using programming languages such as Labview, Matlab, and/or Python/NumPy.
• Oversee the proper operation of laboratory facility, including: maintaining safe work environment; designing, fabrication, and commissioning of custom equipment; purchasing of equipment and supplies; maintenance of equipment; troubleshooting equipment; interfacing with external vendors and contractors.
• Support measurement campaigns for data collection, including campaign design and planning, operation of research engine facility and instrumentation, analysis of collected data, and/or preparation of engineering reports and/or data archives.
• Prepare archival research documentation such as journal articles, conference papers and presentations, seminars, and/or workshops.
• Document activities and provide regular reports to the supervisor and other team members.
• Provide guidance to graduate research students in the development, fabrication, operation, and maintenance of lab equipment.
• Perform other related duties as required.

Consequence of Error/Judgement

Exercises judgment in collection of data to ensure relevance and quality. Responsible for the completion of assigned work or project objectives. Consequence of errors include damage to reputation, delay of project objectives and deliverables, damage to equipment, and/or injury.

Supervision Received

The position reports to the research supervisor on a weekly basis. The position requires a high degree of professional skill, organization and motivation to conduct the work in and independent manner.

Supervision Given

Will provide mentorship, guidance and direction to students in carrying out experiments or implementation of equipment.

Minimum Qualifications

Undergraduate degree in Engineering or Applied Science. Minimum of one year of related experience, or the 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

Undergraduate or graduate degree in Engineering or Applied Science. BASc or MASc in Mechanical engineering is preferred. Demonstrated fabrication and electronics experience, as well as technical communications skill are required. Experience with numerical software such as Matlab or Python/NumPy , engine emission analysis, hands-on experimentation, and/or processing of experimental data are desired.