Job Opportunities

DESCRIPTION

The University of British Columbia, Vancouver, invites applications for a full-time Lecturer position, which will be a joint appointment between the Faculty of Science and a home department in the Faculty of Science aligned with the successful candidate’s disciplinary expertise. The position will start 1 December 2018 and the initial appointment will be for 1 year.  The appointment may be renewed.  

The successful candidate will: 

(1) teach two courses in their disciplinary home department, to be determined by that department. The disciplinary home department will be one of: Botany; Earth, Ocean & Atmospheric Sciences; Physics & Astronomy; Zoology.

(2) teach two sections of SCIE 113: First-Year Seminar in Science (https://science.ubc.ca/students/new/first/113) for UBC Vantage College, and 

(3) coordinate the multiple sections of SCIE 113. 

The First Year Seminar in Science (SCIE 113) is an established course in the Faculty of Science. SCIE 113 has an academic Director, who is responsible for the course curriculum. There are (currently) 8 sections of SCIE 113 in Winter Term 1 and another 12-14 sections in Winter Term 2.  Sections are taught by instructors from all departments across the Faculty of Science. Coordinating these teaching teams thus requires the Lecturer to provide service to faculty members from all departments in the Faculty of Science. Under the supervision of the SCIE 113 Director, the Lecturer will administer the course, hire TAs, conduct TA and instructor training, create, maintain and update course materials and teaching resources. The responsibilities also include annual reviews of the course design in the light of Course Goals and Learning Objectives, and collection of data to support evaluation of teaching and learning practices. 

In Winter Term 2, 4-6 of the SCIE 113 sections are for students in UBC’s Vantage One Science program (http://vantagecollege.ubc.ca). The Lecturer will teach two of these sections, and will coordinate the Vantage sections in collaboration with the Chair of the Vantage One Science Program. The programoffers first-year curriculum in a cohort program to academically strong international students whose English language proficiency does not yet meet the English language requirements for direct admission into UBC degrees. Students take courses in one of Vantage College’s four streams (Arts, Science, Engineering, or Management) before transferring into second year in their degree program. The primary goals of the Vantage College curriculum are: (1) to encourage students’ cultural, linguistic, and academic engagement in disciplinary communities and (2) to maximize students’ successful transition to Year Two in the Faculties of Arts, Science, Applied Science, or Management. In the Vantage One Science program, students take a coordinated curriculum that provides instruction in Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, and electives in computational and/or physical science, in addition to SCIE 113. Students’ learning is also supported by embedded language instruction and English for academic purposes courses. The successful candidate will be expected to collaborate with faculty in the Vantage One Science program on curriculum matters. For more information about the Vantage One Science program, please see https://vantagecollege.ubc.ca/science

Qualifications

Applicants must hold a MSc or PhD in a Science discipline compatible with one of the home departments listed above and must have demonstrated evidence of teaching excellence. The following experience is not required but will be considered assets:

• Experience with interactive teaching methods and university-level writing courses
• Knowledge of the history and philosophy of science. 
• Course administration experience, particularly providing service, coordination and support to teaching teams
• Intermediate to advanced experience with learning technologies, such as learning management systems (Canvas is UBC’s current system).
• Data collection and analysis skills for educational research, with particular emphasis on qualitative approaches (e.g. surveys, interviews, focus groups, classroom observations)
• Supervisory experience (e.g. TA supervision)

Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. The position is subject to final budgetary approval.

Applications should include:

1) a cover letter that addresses how the applicant meets the criteria for the position, how the applicant anticipates approaching both the teaching and course administration duties, and states the candidate’s expected home department

2) a Curriculum Vitae that includes the names and contact information of three referees

3) a statement of teaching philosophy including information related to the teaching of scientific writing

4) evidence of teaching excellence and experience (please include teaching evaluations and course syllabi for university-level courses developed, taught, or supported)

Completed application packages are to be sent electronically as a PDF document to Lan Luo at . Please indicate in the subject line: UBC Faculty of Science & Vantage Lecturer Position. The application deadline is August 31st, 2018. 

Questions about the position can be directed to Sara Harris at . 

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, Métis, Inuit, or Indigenous person. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.

Job Summary

The Department of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences at the University of British Columbia (UBC) is appointing a person to manage three highly sophisticated laboratories: electron-probe microanalyzer, scanning electron microscope with energy dispersion X-ray spectrometer and image analysis system, and two X-ray powder diffractometers. The facility serves science and engineering departments on the UBC campus, as well as, students and faculty from several western Canadian universities, and clients from government labs and industry. The manager has the scientific expertise and management skills to: i) manage the overall operations of the labs, ii) directly supervise a Ph.D. level researcher, two M.Sc., and one B.Sc. level Research Assistants who perform the day-to-day work, iii) educate, advise and supervise the diverse users and clients of the laboratories, and to iv) perform independent research and accountable for the integrity of the data. 

Organizational Status

The manager operates independently. As a professional scientist and an expert in the fields of electron-beam microanalysis, X-ray crystallography, and mineral and material  sciences, the manager develops administrative and scientific policy as appropriate to meet the needs of researchers and other clients.  The manager works closely with faculty members, supervises research scientists, advises users of the facility, and participates in the education of graduate students. This position reports to the Head of the Department and consults with the Director of Resources and Operations on administrative matters such as working conditions, contracts, billings, etc.

Work Performed

1. Manages the operations of the three major laboratories and the analytical work of faculty, research associates, post-doctoral fellows, graduate and undergraduate students.  Instructs and supervises users of the facilities including system training, analytical techniques, and calibration methods to be used. Ensures quality control for accurate quantification of a wide diversity of methods.  Prepares written and verbal technical materials for instruction purposes.  Ensures appropriate safety training is given and procedures followed by users in the lab.
2. The leadership and management of the facilities are solely the responsibility of the manager.  The manager is a professional scientist and assumes leadership of both research work done, and how the various commercial operations of the facility are directed.  The manager determines management style, how staff is utilized, and is responsible for financial decisions concerning purchasing equipment subject to compliance with UBC practices and with approval of the Head of Department.
3. The manager is responsible for maintaining operational continuity of the instruments through maintenance and repair of instruments, instrument servicing, and vendor communication. The manager ensures that funds are available for instrument maintenance and repair from the fees collected from users and clients.
4. Operates the complex of laboratories on a cost-recovery basis, administers for-profit operation of the laboratories for clients from other universities, industry and government agencies. Recovers salary and benefits to support a full-time Ph.D.-level researcher and 3 other research assistants responsible for doing contract work and from client fees. Manages an average annual gross income from user fees for the complex of between $170,000 and $600,000. Orders all equipment and supplies for facilities, has signing authority on all related research accounts, invoices academic, government and industry clients for user fees and reconciles facility accounts on a monthly basis.
5. Shares advanced microbeam and diffraction techniques with graduate students both within the department and from other departments to provide knowledge and skills to carry out independent research in support of their research. 
6. Develops analytical methods based on current scientific advances to complement the needs of individual users and supervises interpretation of results. Provides strategic direction in securing new technology and instrumentation. Monitors instrument performance and adjustment of operating parameters to achieve optimum performance for specific analyses.  Purchases and tests new instruments, accessories and software and verifies their performance.
7. Long-range planning for the facilities is solely the responsibility of the manager in consultation with EOAS research faculty. In this regard, the manager keeps up-to-date with both the scientific and technological aspects of the facilities and organizes funding through various granting agencies and whatever other sources become available. Applies independently and collaboratively for funds to support their research and to purchase new equipment.

Consequence of Error

The manager is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the facility and its instruments and for the quality of analytical work. Errors in analyses and/or poor supervision would lead to incorrect interpretation of research results and prevent the attainment of research goals.  Such errors would result in the loss of incalculable time and resources on behalf of the researchers.

Inefficient management of laboratory facilities and instruments would result in downtime that delays research, damage to very expensive instruments, and the inability to recover the cost of operations from user fees.

Issues such as these and others would be addressed by the head of department in consultation with the advisory council of facility-users.

Supervision Received

The manager works independently and establishes priorities taking into account the goals and needs of UBC researchers and other clients. Advises the best methods for achieving these goals by applying the appropriate scientific principles.  The manager makes his/her own decisions on both scientific and technical aspects of the work and is responsible for monitoring use of funds and resources. The manager's work is reviewed annually by department head and advisory council of facility-users.

Supervision Given

Trains and supervises all users of electron-probe microanalyzer, scanning electron microscope with energy dispersion X-ray spectrometer and image analysis system, and X-ray powder diffractometers. Oversees operations of three laboratories and, annually, provides supervision to as many as 150 faculty, research associates, post-doctoral fellows, undergraduate and graduate students, and clients from industry and government. Manages a Ph.D.-level researcher and two M.Sc.-/B.Sc.-level Research Assistants who are responsible for doing contract work, certain laboratory maintenance, and also participates in the training of the various clientele. From time to time, additional part-time employees are supervised.

Working Conditions

The work place is divided among “clean” research laboratories and office environments; the proportion of time is variable.  Working conditions occasionally include exposure to potential hazards (e.g., chemicals, high voltages, occasional heavy lifting, etc).

Organization Chart

Reports to the Head of the department.

Qualifications

Ph.D. degree in geosciences or other relevant disciplines and demonstrated productivity in the appropriate fields, or an M.Sc. degree combined with extensive experience pertinent to the position. Position is dedicated to the chemical analysis of minerals, rocks and related earth materials. Must have good management and organization skills and experience in the operation of EPMA, XRD, SEM, including basic maintenance. Has proficiency in designing analytical procedures for quantitative EMPA. Experience in teaching post secondary level courses. Participation in the acquisition of high quality chemical analyses, the development of new analytical procedures, and the teaching and supervision of students, faculty and visiting scientists. A demonstrated record of peer-review publication and successful grantsmanship.

Applications must be submitted through the UBC Career portal at: http://www.hr.ubc.ca/careers-postings/staff.php  posting #29041. Applications after March 30, 2018 should be sent to