Scientific Engineer

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

Job summary

University of British Columbia ASSET Group seeks a Scientific Engineer to provide technical leadership for numerical research on seismic performance of reinforced and precast concrete buildings. You will lead the computational work, coordinate trainees and staff, and translate results into publications, reports, and reusable tools.

This role collaborates with the Principal Investigator Dr. Lisa Tobber and industry partners to develop opportunities, maintain project quality, and advance funding

Qualifications

• Undergraduate degree in Engineering or Applied Science.
• Minimum of one year of related experience.
• Willingness to respect diverse perspectives, including perspectives in conflict with one’s own
• Registration with Engineers and Geoscientists BC (EGBC) as a P.Eng., or progress toward P.Eng.
• Research-based graduate degree in civil, structural, or earthquake engineering.
• Demonstrated professional and applied research experience in structural engineering, earthquake engineering, or computational mechanics.
• Demonstrated expertise in nonlinear modelling and performance-based seismic analysis of reinforced concrete and precast concrete structures.

Responsibilities

• Lead the numerical modelling workstream and convert research objectives into analysis plans and milestones.
• Establish standardized modelling, verification, and data management procedures for the program.
• Coordinate modelling activities among graduate students, postdocs, and researchers.
• Provide technical mentorship in structural analysis, earthquake engineering, and OpenSees.
• Disseminate findings through publications, reports, and design guidance.
• Develop research funding proposals and collaborate with partners.
• Maintain ASSET Group website and prepare promotional materials.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or Applied Science

Tools

OpenSees

OpenSeesPy

Python

Job description

Staff - Non Union

Job Category

M&P - AAPS

Job Profile

AAPS Salaried - Scientific Eng., Level A

Job Title

Scientific Engineer

Department

UBCO | Research Support | School of 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 7, 2026

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

Job End Date

Ongoing

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 provides technical leadership for numerical research within the ASSET Group, with a primary focus on the seismic performance and design of reinforced and precast concrete buildings. The position leads the computational component of multi-year applied research programs, including development and validation of nonlinear models, coordination of numerical studies, interpretation of results, and translation of research findings into publications, technical reports, design guidance, and reusable computational tools.

The position works with substantial independence and provides leadership in planning technical activities, coordinating contributions from research trainees and staff, and maintaining the quality and continuity of the research program. This position also works closely with the Principal Investigator and external partners to develop new research opportunities, strengthen industry, government, and not-for-profit partnerships, and contribute technical content to major research grant proposals and funding applications.

Organizational Status
This position will report to ASSET Group Principal Investigator, Dr. Lisa Tobber. This position works closely with faculty members, graduate and undergraduate students, postdoctoral researchers, engineering consultants, as well as industry, government, and not-for-profit research partners.

Work Performed

Leads planning and delivery of the numerical modelling workstream by translating high-level research objectives into analysis plans, work packages, milestones, review points, priorities, and technical deliverables.

Establishes and maintains standardized modelling, verification, validation, documentation, data management, and technical review procedures for the research program.

Coordinates modelling activities performed by graduate students, undergraduate researchers, co-op students, postdoctoral fellows, and research staff; assign or recommend technical tasks; review models, code, analysis results, and documentation; and integrate individual contributions into a coherent research program.

Provides technical guidance and mentorship in structural analysis, earthquake engineering, OpenSees, model calibration, interpretation of nonlinear response, and research documentation.

Leads the synthesis and dissemination of research findings through peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, presentations, code-relevant design guidance, and future research initiatives.

Works with members of the research team to manage projects and develop research funding proposals and submissions to provincial, national, and international granting agencies.

Develops ideas for future research and development in collaboration with the Principal Investigator and research partners.

Maintains and updates the ASSET Group website and other digital research communication materials to ensure research activities, publications, projects, partnerships, and team accomplishments are accurately and professionally represented.

Develops and maintains presentation materials, slide decks, research summaries, project profiles, and other promotional and knowledge-mobilization materials for use with industry partners, funding agencies, academic audiences, and external stakeholders.

Supports communication of the ASSET Group’s research program to current and prospective partners by preparing technical and non-technical materials that clearly communicate research capabilities, outcomes, and opportunities for collaboration.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
This position will play a leading role in liaising with numerous faculty, students, and industrial collaborators. Errors in professional communication and project execution can adversely affect the project schedule and the reputation of ASSET Group / UBC, and subsequently future funding opportunities.

Supervision Received
The position reports to Dr. Lisa Tobber, who establishes the broader research objectives, project priorities, technical requirements, and budgetary parameters.

This position is expected to work with substantial independence in planning and completing assigned technical work. Work is reviewed based on achievement of project objectives, technical quality, safety, timeliness, and effective coordination with the research team.

Supervision Given
Supervision may occasionally be required for selected undergraduate and graduate students, as well as post-docs, who can then assist the Scientific Engineer in the effective completion of specific projects.

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

Registration with Engineers and Geoscientists BC (EGBC) as a P.Eng., or progress toward P.Eng. registration.

Research-based graduate degree in civil, structural, or earthquake engineering.

Demonstrated professional and applied research experience in structural engineering, earthquake engineering, or computational mechanics, including demonstrated responsibility for independently delivering technically complex numerical work.

Demonstrated expertise in nonlinear modelling and performance-based seismic analysis of reinforced concrete and precast concrete structures, including reinforced concrete shear wall and core wall systems.

Advanced proficiency in OpenSees and OpenSeesPy, together with strong Python programming skills and experience developing reusable, documented, and version-controlled computational tools and workflows.

Experience with nonlinear static and dynamic analysis, ground-motion selection and scaling, model calibration and validation, sensitivity and parametric studies, and interpretation of large analysis datasets.

Strong knowledge of Canadian seismic design practice for reinforced concrete buildings, with particular expertise in high-rise concrete core wall systems and application of CSA A23.3 and NBCC seismic design provisions.

Strong understanding of reinforced concrete and precast concrete behaviour, seismic design principles, and relevant Canadian and international building codes and standards.

Demonstrated experience leading a technical workstream, coordinating the work of engineers or researchers, reviewing technical models and analyses, and mentoring research personnel.

Demonstrated track record of publishing high-quality numerical research in leading peer-reviewed structural and earthquake engineering journals.