Research Associate - Ultrafast Optical Spectroscopy

Academic Job Category Faculty Non Bargaining

Faculty Job Title Research Associate - Ultrafast Optical Spectroscopy

Department Research | Quantum Matter Institute | Faculty of Science (Marcel Franz)

Posting End Date March 26, 2026.
Note: Applications will be accepted until 11:59 PM on the Posting End Date.

Job End Date March 31, 2028

The expected pay range for this position is $7,000 - $7,350/month

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.

The Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute (Blusson QMI) at the University of British Columbia is seeking a PhD-level Scientific Research Associate to support its Ultrafast Spectroscopy research efforts. Under the direction of Prof. David Jones, the Research Associate – Ultrafast Optical Spectroscopy will work with Jones and other researchers to identify questions and problems and devise new optical techniques (both source and detection development) to address open questions in plasma dynamics as well as condensed matter systems.

The Research Associate will also mentor Blusson QMI students and other researchers with optical measurement techniques. They will also collaborate with other institutions and industry organizations, attend conferences and workshops to gather and disseminate knowledge of advances in the field and may contribute to writing and submission of grants to fund research activities.

Work performed includes, but is not limited to:

• Operating, maintaining and performing repairs of delicate optical equipment and infrastructure such as fibre and solid state laser systems, amplified femtosecond laser systems, OPOs, and midinfrared sources;
• Developing, improving and implementing a variety of laboratory techniques needed to successfully run ultra‑fast pump‑probe measurements;
• Managing undergraduate students and training graduate students with laser spectroscopy systems and general optical techniques;
• Researching and developing new experimental optical detection techniques in a variety of experimental research configurations; preparing reports on these, and other, research/development activities;
• Publishing findings; maintaining records of research activities and outcomes; preparing official research reports and statistics to support Blusson QMI and UBC performance‑related metrics and other university related administrative requirements;
• Designing parts and assemblies using CAD software like Autodesk Inventor and Solidworks;
• Spectral Data Analysis;
• Directing and participating in development and maintenance of laboratory infrastructure, including both custom software (data acquisition, instrumentation control, and data analysis), and hardware components (vacuum equipment, lasers/optics, and electronics);
• Researching, advising on and purchasing equipment and supplies;
• Monitoring, interpreting, preparing and presenting reports to the research team;
• Maintaining awareness of current and upcoming projects and experiments and providing input as requested regarding directing infrastructure and resources to those projects that are of the highest priority.

The successful candidate will thrive in our collegial culture and with the following required qualifications:

• PhD in physics or engineering, specializing in the development and use of ultrafast laser technologies and associated spectroscopy techniques.
• Experience with frequency stabilization of femtosecond frequency combs.
• Several years (minimum two) of postdoctoral or equivalent experience.
• Demonstrated experience leading research projects.
• Ability to pursue an independent research program aligned with QMI interests.
• Good communication and collaboration skills.
• At least 2 years experience of supervising students.

The successful candidate will have a strong commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion, to create a welcoming community for all, particularly those who are historically, persistently or…