Research Associate - Drug-Impaired Driving and Toxicology

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

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The expected pay range for this position is $85,000 - $115,000 per annum.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

An application package should include:

Should you have any queries around this position, please contact Dr. Jeff Brubacher at .

Review of applications will begin on March 23, 2026 and continue until the position is filled. The anticipated start date for this position is May 1, 2026 or upon a date to be mutually agreed.

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. ​​​​​​

Brubacher’s Lab is seeking a full-time Research Associate to provide advanced technical leadership in bioanalytical method development, validation, quality assurance, and high-throughput sample analysis. They will serve as the laboratory’s subject matter expert for whole blood toxicology testing and will oversee adherence to established analytical and safety standards. Responsibilities include supervising and training laboratory staff and students, contributing to the implementation of new instrumentation and methodologies, and supporting continuous improvement of laboratory workflows.

The Research Associate will also collaborate with the Principal Investigator and research team to develop and seek funding for new research initiatives.

The primary focus of this position is quantitative LC-MS/MS (triple quadrupole) analysis of whole blood for, cannabinoids, and other impairing drugs as well as blood alcohol by GC-FID. In addition, the successful candidate will contribute to the development and implementation of high-resolution mass spectrometry workflows (e.g., Q-TOF and/or tims

TOF) for broad-spectrum and non-targeted screening of emerging and unknown substances.

The successful candidate will have opportunities to co-author high-impact publications and contribute to nationally recognized toxicology research programs. The balance between laboratory technical leadership and independent research development will depend on the successful candidate’s experience and interests.

The UBC Road Safety and Public Health research group () is inviting motivated applicants to join our multi-disciplinary research team. Our research focuses on drug-impaired driving (especially with cannabis) and on blood toxicology testing of patients with unregulated drug overdose, including identification of emerging substances in the unregulated drug supply. Our program has national and international visibility in drug-impaired driving research and has recently secured major funding to expand into identifying new adulterants (toxicovigilance) and unregulated drug poisoning research.

This appointment is for a two-year term with possibility of renewal subject to funding and performance.

ORGANIZATIONAL STATUS

This position reports directly to the Principal Investigator (PI) and works closely with the Senior Research Associate and Laboratory Manager. The incumbent is expected to function independently while collaborating frequently with research team members and trainees. The incumbent works independently on a day to day basis with minimal direction and reports to the Principal Investigator for strategic guidance, research planning and review of analytical results.

The incumbent supervises laboratory technicians, research assistants and trainees, providing technical guidance, training and performance oversight.

RESPONSIBILITI…