Research Engineer, Laser and Optics

Staff - Non Union

Job Category
M&P - AAPS

Job Profile
AAPS Salaried - Scientific Eng., Level A

Job Title
Research Engineer, Laser and Optics

Department
Technical Operations | Quantum Matter Institute | Faculty of Science

Compensation Range
$5,622.33 - $8,081.00 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
March 9, 2024

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

Job End Date

Aug 31, 2024

This position is expected to be filled by promotion/reassignment and is included here to inform you of its vacancy at the University.

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

The Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute at UBC (Blusson QMI) is a world-leading venture into research of systems and phenomena explicitly involving quantum mechanics. One of its core areas of strength is research into various condensed matter systems employing sophisticated optical infrastructure which includes optical spectroscopy, single photon generation and detection, and ultrafast laser/optics systems for time-resolved pump probe experiments.

Under the direction of the Principal Investigator(s) working with laser and optics infrastructure, the Research Engineer, Laser and Optics will support Principal Investigators and other researchers conducting experiments in areas such as Scanning Tunneling Microscopy (STM), Angle Resolved Photoemission Spectroscopy (ARPES), time-resolved ARPES, Heat Trap effect in one-dimensional conductors, Photonics and Nanostructures, and in-situ optical excitation of donor/accepter pairs while being studied by STM.  This includes working with the Principal Investigators and other researchers to identify questions and problems and devise new optical techniques (both source and detection development) to address these questions, and mentoring Blusson QMI students and other researchers with optical measurement techniques. The Research Engineer will 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.

Organizational Status

The Research Engineer, Laser and Optics reports to the SBQMI Operations Manager and the faculty member(s) whose research area most closely matches the area of expertise. Also provides support to other Blusson QMI Principal Investigators and Researchers as requested.  The Research Engineer, Laser and Optics makes decisions regarding design, construction and maintenance of research infrastructure and provides technical support to students and other researchers.

Work Performed

Research

• 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 mid-infrared sources;
• Developing, improving and implementing a variety of laboratory techniques needed to successfully run ARPES measurements.
• Assigning work to undergraduate students and assisting graduate students and other researchers with laser spectroscopy systems and general optical techniques;
• Research and develop new experimental optical detection techniques in a variety of experimental research configurations; prepare reports on these, and other, research/development activities;
• Analyzing findings; maintain records of research activities and outcomes; prepare official research reports and statistics to support Blusson QMI and UBC performance related metrics and other university related administrative requirements
• Building and commissioning angle-resolved photoemission spectrometers and spin polarimeters, make recommendations on design and specifications of new equipment.
• Designing parts and assemblies using CAD software like Autodesk Inventor and Solidworks.
• Building and commissioning customized lab equipment such as programmable logic controllers (Interlock) to monitor and maintain the safety of the ARPES system and large ultra-high vacuum apparatus
• Researching, advising on, and purchasing equipment and supplies.
• Monitoring, interpreting, preparing, and presenting reports to the research team.
• Maintain awareness of current and upcoming projects and experiments and provide input as requested regarding directing infrastructure and resources to those projects that are of the highest priority; 

Facilities Operation

• Support ARPES measurement runs as needed
• May contribute to determining infrastructure and space requirements, new projects, redevelopment of existing space, and health and safety;
• Ensure that custom optical and laser equipment are operational, working with suppliers and contractors when necessary; ensures that processes and procedures related to safety and use of space and equipment are followed.

Fostering Learning

• Provide support, technical advice, and training to students and other researchers (e.g. optical alignment of laser systems, design of vacuum chambers), assist them during laser-based measurements;

• Attend relevant conferences and workshops to gather new knowledge.

Fund Raising

• May contribute to activities related to the development, and licensing of, IP;
• Contribute to Blusson QMI progress reports.

Consequences of Error/Judgement

To retain its standing as a UBC Global Research Excellence Institutes, Blusson QMI must demonstrate its potential to move from internationally excellent to globally exceptional, both in terms of academic impact and translational impact. 

Ultimately, errors in judgement that lead to the inability to complete research projects in a timely and effective manner could mean that the Blusson QMI will not meet the required deliverables to secure additional funding and/or revenues. 

Poor decisions or errors in judgement may also result in unreliable results in experiments and research, experiments being postponed or cancelled, or major damage to property and safety of persons.

Supervision Received

Works independently, in consultation with faculty members. Is called upon to use unique and highly advanced scientific and technical knowledge to resolve complex problems that have not been previously encountered and do not have established methods, principles or guidelines for resolution – develops these as necessary and documents the process.

Supervision Given

May assign work to other technical staff and students. Provides specific technical and instrument support, advice, and mentoring to students and researchers.

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 degree in Optics, Photonics, Electrical Engineering or Physics. Master’s degree (or equivalent combination of degree and experience) in an area relevant to the research pursuits of Blusson QMI;
• Experience working in a research and/or research and development environment;
• Demonstrated ability to develop optical instrumentation that will assist in the resolution of a particular experimental question or problem;
• Ability to integrate;
• Experience maintaining facilities and equipment;
• Strong record of patents and publications.