Ville : Vancouver

Catégorie : Full time

Industrie : Educational Services

Employeur : University of British Columbia

Staff - Non Union

Job Category

Non Union Technicians and Research Assistants

Job Profile

Non Union Salaried - Research Assistant /Technician 4

Job Title

Senior Research Scientist - Lignin Valorization & Catalytic Depolymerization

Department

BioProducts Institute | Dean's Office | Faculty of Applied Science

Compensation Range

$5,220.98 - $6,124.46 CAD Monthly

Posting End Date

March 2, 2026

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

Job End Date

March 8, 2027

 

 

 

 

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 Bioproducts Institute is seeking an experienced, motivated, and collaborative Senior Research Scientist to lead and expand our lignin valorization research program. The successful candidate will spearhead scientific innovation in lignin stabilization and depolymerization, focusing on translating transformative biomass chemistry into scalable technology for sustainable bioproducts and bio-refinery systems. This role integrates fundamental research, process development, industry collaboration, and mentoring of students and junior scientists.

Organizational Status
Under the direct supervision of Prof. Orlando Rojas, this position will work in a dynamic research environment with opportunities for scientific leadership and innovation. This position will also interact frequently with industry leaders and world-class academic partners.

Work Performed

Scientific Research & Innovation:

·  Lead research on lignin stabilization during biomass pretreatment to prevent condensation reactions and preserve depolymerizable structures, based on incorporating protective groups into biomass extraction workflows.

·  Develop and optimize catalytic depolymerization strategies (e.g., hydrogenolysis) to produce high-selectivity monomer products from lignin feedstocks.

·  Investigate the effects of extraction conditions, protection chemistries, solvent systems, and catalysts (precious and base metal catalysts) on lignin conversion, selectivity, yield, and downstream process integration.

·  Characterize lignin structure and depolymerization products using advanced analytical techniques (NMR, GC-MS, LC-MS, GPC, etc.).

·  Technology Development & Scale-Up

·  Translate laboratory discoveries into pilot-scale process concepts and collaborate on scale-up studies.

·  Analyze techno-economic and environmental performance of lignin-based valorization routes.

·  Contribute to intellectual property generation (patents, disclosures) and publication of high-impact research results.

Collaboration & Leadership

·  Work closely with internal teams and external partners, including academic collaborators, industrial stakeholders, and technology partners.

·  Coordinate multidisciplinary research efforts integrating chemical catalysis, biomass fractionation, and process engineering.

Mentoring & Supervision

·  Supervise graduate students, postdocs, and junior research staff, fostering scientific development and best laboratory practices.

·  Provide technical guidance and leadership in experimental design, data interpretation, and scientific communication.

Industry Engagement

·  Lead engagement with industrial partners to align research goals with practical biorefinery challenges and commercialization pathways.

·  Advise on requirements for integration with existing pulp/paper or biorefinery operations and new value chains for lignin-derived platform chemicals.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Errors in judgment with internal or external constituents could have a negative impact on the Bioproducts Institute and the University, resulting in poor public relations, financial costs, loss of credibility. Work must often meet tight deadlines and requires the incumbent to perform well under pressure. The incumbent will be expected to respond well to unexpected circumstances and exercise independent judgment. The incumbent must demonstrate exceptional public relations and interpersonal skills in dealing with industrial partners and the senior administration of the university community. Inappropriate or errant communications of sensitive issues could have a serious impact on operations and have legal implications. Exercises judgment and initiative in handling matters of a non-routine nature requiring the interpretation of University and Faculty guidelines, procedures, and policies. Expected to exercise judgment in establishing priorities and carrying tasks through to completion in a timely manner. Reviews working procedures and implements changes where deemed appropriate.

Supervision Received
Works under minimum supervision, receiving specific instructions only on unusual problems or on matters which depart significantly from established policy and procedure.

Supervision Given
Supervise graduate students, postdocs, and research staff at lower classifications.

Minimum Qualifications
Completion of a university degree in a relevant discipline or technical program and a minimum four years of related experience or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Some positions may require a graduate degree.
- 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

• Ph.D. in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering, with rigorous training in reaction engineering, catalysis, organic and polymer chemistry, or related disciplines.

• Demonstrated expertise in wood chemistry, lignin chemistry, and lignocellulosic biomass conversion, including stabilization strategies, depolymerization pathways, and functionalization of aromatic biopolymers.

• Strong foundation in sugar chemistry and carbohydrate transformations, including biomass fractionation, derivatization, and valorization routes.

• Experience in interdisciplinary research bridging chemistry, materials science, and process engineering, ideally spanning laboratory-scale discovery to process integration.

• Familiarity with multiscale modeling approaches (molecular simulations, reaction kinetics, transport phenomena, or process modeling) applied to biomass systems or catalytic transformations.

• Exposure to carbon capture technologies, renewable carbon cycles, and clean energy systems, including the integration of bio-derived carbon into circular economy platforms.

• Proven ability to design, execute, and publish high-impact research in peer-reviewed journals.

• Demonstrated record of collaboration with industry or translational research programs.

• Experience mentoring graduate students and postdoctoral researchers through thesis-based and applied research projects.

• Ability to supervise multidisciplinary teams and foster a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performance research environment.

• Track record of supporting student development in scientific writing, presentations, and career progression.

• Multiple years of teaching experience as a course instructor and/or teaching assistant in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biomaterials, or related fields.

• Experience developing and delivering lectures, supervising laboratory modules, and contributing to curriculum development.

• Commitment to knowledge transfer across academia, industry, and policy stakeholders.

• Track record of publishing in high-impact journals and presentations at international conferences.

• Prior experience in lignin-first biorefinery approaches and evaluation of process scale-up risks and opportunities.

• Experience working with industrial collaborators for technology transfer and commercialization.

• Knowledge of life-cycle assessment and techno-economic analysis methods.

• Strategic thinker with a demonstrated ability to advance scientific programs toward real-world implementation.

• Effective leader and communicator with a collaborative working style.

• Passion for sustainable technologies and innovation in renewable carbon feedstocks.