Postdoctoral Research Fellow

The Upham group in the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the University of British Columbia (Vancouver) is hiring a full time Postdoctoral Fellow to develop a tandem catalytic process that converts syngas to oxymethylene ethers (OMEs) for sustainable aviation fuels. The initial appointment is for 1-year, with the possibility of extension, subject to availability of funds and work performance. This position is based in the research group's laboratories on the UBC Vancouver campus The anticipated start date is January 1, 2027 or a date to be mutally agreed upon.

The research group works on heterogeneous and molten metal catalysis for methane pyrolysis and CO2 conversion, and on carbon valorization. The successful candidate will join a team of graduate students, postdoctoral fellows and undergraduate researchers and will have access to the group's catalyst synthesis, reactors, and characterization facilities.

The project is developing a new catalyst to enable a tandem catalytic process in which the steps from syngas to OMEs are coupled rather than run as separate unit operations. OMEs are oxygenated fuel molecules that can be made from syngas derived from biomass, waste or captured CO2 and hydrogen, and are of interest as low-carbon aviation fuel components.

The work is primarily experimental. The postdoctoral fellow will develop and test new catalysts for the individual steps, study how the steps interact when coupled, and demonstrate the integrated process in flow reactors. The results will establish the catalyst performance, product distributions and operating windows needed for process evaluation and scale-up.

• →Synthesize, characterize and test catalysts for the syngas-to-OME reaction steps

• →Design, build and operate flow reactors

• →Analyze reaction products by gas chromatography and related methods, and quantify conversion, selectivity and yield

• →Plan experiments, interpret data and prepare manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals

• →Help supervise graduate and undergraduate students working on the project

• →Present results at group meetings, to project partners and at conferences

• →Maintain safe laboratory practices and contribute to the group's safety procedures for flammable and toxic gases

Required:

• PhD in chemical engineering, chemistry, materials science or a related field, completed within 5 years of the start date

• Hands-on experience in heterogeneous catalysis, including catalyst synthesis, characterization and testing in flow reactors

• Record of peer-reviewed publications in catalysis or reaction engineering

• Ability to work independently and to guide students in the laboratory

Preferred:

• Experience with methanol or dimethyl ether synthesis, formaldehyde chemistry, or other oxygenate fuel chemistry

• Experience with flow reactor systems and process gas handling

• Experience with reactor modelling or process simulation

• Experience with in situ or operando catalyst characterization

The University of British Columbia's primary language of instruction and research is English. Accordingly, individuals are required to communicate effectively in English, both verbally and in writing.

The application deadline is November 30, 2026. Review of applications will begin immediately and continue through November until the position is filled.

Applicants must include the following items, combined in a single PDF, in their applications:

• A cover letter describing your research experience and its relevance to this project

• A curriculum vitae including a list of publications

• Names and contact information for three references

Direct the application package to both:

• Dr. Chester Upham (chester.upham@ubc.ca) and

• Hailey Boyer, Group Administrator and Coordinator of The Carbon Hub (hailey.boyer@ubc.ca).

Inquiries about the position may be directed to hailey.boyer@ubc.ca

The expected salary for this position is $75,000 CAD per year. This position is eligible for a comprehensive benefits package. For details, see https://hr.ubc.ca/benefits

Equity and diversity are essential to academic excellence. An open and diverse community fosters the inclusion of voices that have been underrepresented or discouraged. We encourage applications from members of groups that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the B.C. Human Rights Code, including sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, racialization, disability, political belief, religion, marital or family status, age, and/or status as a First Nation, Metis, Inuit, or Indigenous person.

All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however Canadians and permanent residents of Canada will be given priority.

The Department is located on UBC's Point Grey campus in Vancouver, British Columbia, a vibrant and culturally diverse city situated between the Pacific Ocean and the Coast Mountains and consistently ranked among the world's most livable cities. The University of British Columbia and the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering acknowledge the hən̓q̓əmin̓əm̓-speaking xwməθkwəy̓əm (Musqueam) people on whose traditional, ancestral, and unceded territory the university resides.