Scientific and Business Development Director – The Electron Microbeam and X-Ray Diffraction Fac[...]

Staff - Non Union

Job Category: M&P - AAPS Job Profile: AAPS Salaried - Research and Facilitation, Level D Job Title: Scientific and Business Development Director – The Electron Microbeam and X-Ray Diffraction Facility (EMXDF) Department: Faculty | Department of Earth and Ocean Sciences | Faculty of Science Compensation Range: $9,048.67 - $14,114.17 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: April 21, 2025

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

Job Summary:

The Scientific and Business Development Director is responsible for the scientific leadership, research direction and business development of the Electron Microbeam and X-Ray Diffraction Facility (EMXDF) at EOAS.

This position requires leadership in facility and team management, research investigational work including developing new methodologies, consultation with and advising departmental, UBC and industry facility users on Electron Microbeam and X-Ray Diffraction measurements, and method development for electron beam techniques.

Work Performed:

Leadership:

• Formulates and implements the short and long-range strategies and goals for the operation and promotion of the facilities; develops the tactical and operational plan for the facilities.
• Leads a team of highly specialized analytical staff and directs the daily operation of the EMXRDF, which provides both technician-run sample analysis and self-service sample analysis.
• Fosters scientific excellence by ensuring the facility provides leading edge support for both graduate student research programs and departmental, UBC and industry research initiatives.
• Manages the EMXRDF operating budget including forecasting and resource allocation to align with the strategic direction of the Facility.
• Maintains the operational continuity of the instruments with service contracts, oversees instrument maintenance and repairs, and manages instrument servicing and vendor communication.

Business Development:

• Identifies funding and market opportunities for synergy and collaboration, and keeps abreast of industry trends related to technology transfer and corporate development in related industries.
• Engages with faculty and research staff to identify and facilitate increased interaction with other research institutes, including evaluating and facilitating business and collaboration opportunities, fostering new research collaborations, that enhance the reputation and funding opportunities for the EMXRDF and increasing access to government and private research facilitation and funding initiatives.
• Develops commercialization and marketing strategies with the capability to be successful with business development for the lab.
• Attends relevant academic and industry conferences in geoscience and mineral exploration, follows current literature in the field, interfaces with equipment manufacturers, and actively networks with related analytical laboratories in Canada and internationally.
• Leads the preparation of grant applications for funding of new equipment and facility operations in collaboration with researchers and stakeholders.
• Develops and executes a communication and public relations strategy to promote the EMXRDF facility’s laboratory services, research and method development, and publications from facility users.

Research:

• Leads and evaluates the development of analytical methods (with domain expertise in mineralogy and geological sciences), based on current scientific advances.
• Monitors instrument performance and adjustment of operating parameters to achieve optimum performance for specific analyses.
• Leads the negotiation, procurement and contracting of equipment and instrumentation and oversees the installation and testing.
• Contributes to the academic mandate of the department in knowledge transfer by facilitating educational opportunities for graduate students and post-doctoral fellows.
• Prepares scientific publications related to electron beam method development and application, and contributes to user scientific publications as required.

Minimum Qualifications:

For research project leadership, a post-graduate degree or an equivalent professional designation is required with a minimum of five years of related experience, including experience in a field of specialization, or an equivalent combination of education and experience. Otherwise, an undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline is required with a minimum of seven years of related experience or an 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:

• Ph.D. or Dr. rer. nat degree in Geological Sciences or related disciplines and demonstrated productivity in the appropriate fields.
• Seven years relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience if not responsible for a research project.
• Five years’ experience in a field of specialization or equivalent combination of education and experience if responsible for a research project. Experience in the operation of EPMA, XRD, SEM, including basic maintenance would be an asset.
• Demonstrated ability to provide leadership excellence in managing a team of highly specialized analytical staff, ensuring operational continuity, and maintaining a positive work environment.
• Demonstrated ability to provide strong, effective and supportive management of staff, effective team building and conflict resolution with experience managing a team.
• Experience in being able to integrate and interpret analytical data, and assist internal and external facility users with interpretation of results.
• Experience with writing scientific publications and professional reports would be an asset.
• Excellent interpersonal skills along with the ability to effectively train others.
• Effective oral and written communication, with scientific writing skills to prepare internal and external reports, correspondence and grant applications.
• Demonstrated critical thinking and problem-solving skills with interpersonal and leadership skills to successfully interact with research groups at UBC, other universities and industry.