Research Scientist: X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy Full-time

Research Scientist: X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy

The Electron Microscopy Laboratory, hosted in the Department of Materials Engineering within the Faculty of Applied Science, is a core advanced characterization facility supporting researchers across UBC, Canadian academic institutions, and industrial partners. As part of the Characterization @ UBC research excellence cluster, the Laboratory provides access to specialized microscopy, spectroscopy, and sample preparation capabilities that enable high-quality analysis of materials across areas such as energy, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and materials for net zero.

The Research Scientist will support the Laboratory's expanding surface and near-surface characterization activities, with primary responsibility for the operation and application of the Thermo Fisher Scientific Nexsa G2 X-ray Photoelectron Spectrometer. The role will contribute to experimental design, analytical method development, instrument operation and maintenance, user training, data analysis, and collaborative project delivery. Working independently within defined project objectives and in consultation with Laboratory leadership, the incumbent will help academic and industry users develop appropriate characterization approaches, interpret results, and integrate XPS with related microscopy and microanalysis workflows.

The Research Scientist reports to Dr. Ben Britton and works as part of the Electron Microscopy Laboratory team within the Department of Materials Engineering. The role works collaboratively with faculty members, research staff, technicians, students, visiting researchers, external academic users, industry partners, and members of the Characterization @ UBC research cluster.

Work Performed

• Designs and implements experimental and analytical approaches for XPS-based surface and near-surface characterization. Develops protocols, specifications, and workflows to meet project requirements, including sample preparation, data acquisition, spectral interpretation, elemental quantification, and chemical state analysis.
• Manages the day-to-day operation of the Thermo Fisher Scientific Nexsa G2 X-ray Photoelectron Spectrometer and associated analytical and sample preparation equipment. Maintains, tunes, calibrates, and troubleshoots equipment to support reliable operation, and works with suppliers and service providers.
• Management of consumables, service needs, operating procedures, and training documentation for the Laboratory.
• Analyzes and interprets XPS data and contributes to the preparation of technical reports, presentations, publications, and project summaries for academic and industry users.
• Communicates results, assumptions, limitations, and uncertainty clearly to support sound scientific interpretation and decision-making.
• Development and application of correlative characterization workflows that may include XPS, optical microscopy, SEM, TEM, FIB, and related sample preparation or analytical methods.
• Development of new protocols, software-supported workflows, or equipment implementation strategies where appropriate.
• Develops and delivers training for safe and effective operation of the XPS system and related equipment.
• Provides technical guidance to students, research staff, faculty members, visiting researchers, and external users on experimental design, analytical procedures, equipment use, data quality, and safety requirements.
• Works with academic and industry partners to understand project objectives, define scope, plan experimental work, analyze results, and meet agreed deliverables. Manages multiple projects simultaneously and contributes to budget estimates, quotations, timelines, and client communications for facility-based work.
• Contributes to the development of new research ideas, grant applications, outreach materials, and client engagement activities related to XPS and advanced materials characterization.
• May participate in progress meetings, technical presentations, conferences, or publications aligned with the Laboratory's research and service activities.
• Other related duties

Consequence of Error / Judgment

The Research Scientist exercises independent professional and technical judgment in the design, execution, analysis, and interpretation of XPS experiments. Errors in experimental design, instrument setup, spectral interpretation, elemental quantification, or chemical state assignment may result in inaccurate or misleading results for academic and industry partners. Poor judgment in data interpretation, failure to identify artefacts, or inadequate communication of uncertainty and limitations may compromise project outcomes, affect research conclusions, delay deliverables, or damage the reputation of the Laboratory. Errors in instrument operation, calibration, maintenance, sample handling, or safety procedures may result in equipment damage, costly downtime, loss of fee-for-service revenue, disruption to the user community, or safety risks.

Supervision Received

The Research Scientist works independently within defined project objectives, Laboratory procedures, safety requirements, and facility priorities. Technical guidance and direction are available from Dr. Ben Britton and other Laboratory leadership as required. The incumbent is expected to exercise independent judgment in planning and completing assigned work, while consulting with Laboratory leadership on complex scientific, operational, financial, or strategic matters.

Supervision Given

The role does not have formal ongoing management responsibility for staff, but provides technical guidance, training, work direction, and functional supervision to students, research trainees, visiting researchers, facility users, and technical personnel involved in XPS-related activities.

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

• PhD in a field relevant to materials characterization, such as materials science and engineering, physics, applied physics, chemical engineering, chemistry, or a related discipline.
• Advanced training and demonstrated experience in X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, including XPS instrument operation, optimization, data analysis, spectral interpretation, and application to materials characterization.
• Experience working in or supporting an advanced analytical research facility, such as an X-ray, electron microscopy, spectroscopy, or related materials characterization facility, is preferred.
• Experience designing and delivering research or technical projects, including experimental planning, data interpretation, reporting, and communication with academic or industry partners, is preferred.
• Experience training, mentoring, or providing technical guidance to students, staff, researchers, or facility users is preferred.
• Strong interpersonal, communication, organizational, and collaborative skills in a multidisciplinary research environment are preferred.
• Additional preferred experience may include data analysis workflows using Python or MATLAB, in situ or in operando methods, multimodal or multiscale characterization, electron microscopy, or focused ion beam sample preparation.