Research Associate

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

The expected pay range for this position is $85,000 - $115,000 per annum.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

An application package should include:

• A letter of application outlining the applicant's research/teaching interests and experience with high resolution mass spectrometry
• A detailed curriculum vitae;
• Contact information for three referees

Should you have any queries around this position, please contact Dr. Jeff Brubacher at

Review of applications will begin on March 23, 2026 and continue until the position is filled. The anticipated start date for this position is May 1, 2026 or upon a date to be mutually agreed.

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. ​​​​​​

Brubacher's Lab is seeking a full-time Research Associate to provide advanced technical leadership in bioanalytical method development, validation, quality assurance, and high-throughput sample analysis. They will serve as the laboratory's subject matter expert for whole blood toxicology testing and will oversee adherence to established analytical and safety standards. Responsibilities include supervising and training laboratory staff and students, contributing to the implementation of new instrumentation and methodologies, and supporting continuous improvement of laboratory workflows. The Research Associate will also collaborate with the Principal Investigator and research team to develop and seek funding for new research initiatives.

The primary focus of this position is quantitative LC-MS/MS (triple quadrupole) analysis of whole blood for, cannabinoids, and other impairing drugs as well as blood alcohol by GC-FID. In addition, the successful candidate will contribute to the development and implementation of high-resolution mass spectrometry workflows (e.g., Q-TOF and/or timsTOF) for broad-spectrum and non-targeted screening of emerging and unknown substances.

The successful candidate will have opportunities to co-author high-impact publications and contribute to nationally recognized toxicology research programs. The balance between laboratory technical leadership and independent research development will depend on the successful candidate's experience and interests.

The UBC Road Safety and Public Health research group ) is inviting motivated applicants to join our multi-disciplinary research team. Our research focuses on drug-impaired driving (especially with cannabis) and on blood toxicology testing of patients with unregulated drug overdose, including identification of emerging substances in the unregulated drug supply. Our program has national and international visibility in drug-impaired driving research and has recently secured major funding to expand into identifying new adulterants (toxicovigilance) and unregulated drug poisoning research.

This appointment is for a two-year term with possibility of renewal subject to funding and performance.

ORGANIZATIONAL STATUS

This position reports directly to the Principal Investigator (PI) and works closely with the Senior Research Associate and Laboratory Manager. The incumbent is expected to function independently while collaborating frequently with research team members and trainees. The incumbent works independently on a day to day basis with minimal direction and reports to the Principal Investigator for strategic guidance, research planning and review of analytical results. The incumbent supervises laboratory technicians, research assistants and trainees, providing technical guidance, training and performance oversight.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to the Dr. Jeff Brubacher, the incumbent will be responsible for:

• Serve as the laboratory's subject matter expert in whole blood toxicology and LC-MS/MS analysis, providing advanced technical leadership to the UBC Road Safety and Public Health Research Group (Brubacher Lab).

• Lead and perform quantitative LC-MS/MS (triple quadrupole) analysis of, cannabinoids, and other impairing drugs in whole blood as well as blood alcohol with GC-FID, and contribute to development of high-resolution mass spectrometry workflows for broad-spectrum and non-targeted screening.

• Lead or support bioanalytical method development and validation in accordance with accepted forensic and bioanalytical standards (e.g., calibration models, matrix effects, recovery, precision, accuracy, stability).

• Oversee and optimize sample preparation workflows (e.g., protein precipitation, liquid-liquid extraction, solid-phase extraction) and support high-throughput analysis of research specimens.

• Develop, implement, and maintain standard operating procedures and laboratory documentation consistent with research and forensic toxicology best practices.

• Oversee laboratory quality assurance and quality control programs, including monitoring performance metrics, reviewing analytical data, and ensuring the integrity and reliability of reported results.

• Manage inventory and procurement of laboratory supplies.

• Contribute to the evaluation, selection, implementation, maintenance, and calibration of laboratory instrumentation. Troubleshoot instrumentation and analytical challenges as required.

• Provide training, supervision, and technical mentorship to laboratory staff, research assistants, and trainees. Assess competency and support continuous improvement in laboratory performance.

• Review and validate analytical results prior to release to the Principal Investigator.

• Contributing to study design, protocol development, and data analysis plans

• Conducting literature reviews

• Writing and editing manuscripts and technical reports

• Supporting preparation and submission of grant applications, including budget development

• Participating in research meetings and presenting technical updates

• Other duties as required

QUALIFICATIONS

Successful applicants will have:

• PhD in Forensic Toxicology, Analytical Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Sciences, or a closely related discipline.

• Demonstrated hands-on experience with quantitative LC-MS/MS (triple quadrupole) analysis of biological matrices (preferably whole blood).

• Experience in bioanalytical method development and validation for small molecule analysis.

• Strong ability to interpret complex chromatographic and mass spectral data.

• Experience developing and implementing standard operating procedures and quality control processes in a research or forensic laboratory.

• Demonstrated ability to supervise, train, and mentor laboratory personnel and trainees.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including preparation of technical documentation and scientific reports.

• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven research environment.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and provide technical leadership in a laboratory setting.

• Strong computer skills including proficiency of file management, data and common software management

• Assets

  • Experience with high-resolution mass spectrometry (e.g., Q-TOF, timsTOF, Orbitrap).

  • Experience with non-targeted screening, unknown identification, or emerging substance detection workflows.

  • Experience with GC-FID instrumentation.

  • Experience using Agilent MassHunter, NIST libraries, or related data analysis software.

  • Experience in forensic, clinical, or regulatory toxicology environments.

• 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.