Scientific Engineer

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

Job End Date

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
This position is responsible for conducting advanced structural engineering research on reinforced and precast concrete buildings subjected to seismic loading. Responsibilities include developing conceptual and detailed designs of archetype high-rise buildings in Canada and the United States, development of advanced numerical models using Python and OpenSeesPy to simulate the seismic response of the buildings, interpretation of the analysis results, and preparation of technical reports and peer-reviewed journal papers documenting how the analysis was done and what was learned from the analysis.
Organizational Status
The position works independently and reports to Professor Perry Adebar in the Department of Civil Engineering. The position provides technical oversight and mentorship to graduate students, co-op students, and other research staff contributing to the project, and interacts with external research partners.
Work Performed
Based on first-hand knowledge and experience from industry, designs archetype reinforced concrete and precast buildings that are common in Canada and the United States. Using extensive knowledge of how to apply the seismic design provisions in building codes, assesses the archetype buildings using current and previous editions of the relevant building codes in both countries. Develops state-of-the-art advanced nonlinear computer models using Python and OpenSeesPy to evaluate the seismic response of the archetype buildings. Conducts the required analyzes and interpret the results. Produces technical documentation, research reports, and peer-reviewed journal manuscripts summarizing the methodology that was used, the results that were obtained, and the implications for design practice.

Responsibilities include:

• Determining appropriate modelling strategies, material constitutive models, boundary conditions, and load protocols to achieve valid nonlinear analysis results.

• Selecting and justifying design parameters and code provisions when interpreting or comparing Canadian and U.S. seismic design standards.

• Choosing computational tools, analysis workflows, and data-processing methods best suited for the research objectives.

• Evaluating results to identify errors, inconsistencies, or opportunities for improved modelling accuracy, and deciding on corrective actions independently.

• Prioritizing research tasks, allocating effort among simulation, analysis, and documentation, and recommending adjustments to project scope or methods when needed.

• Advising the supervisor on the technical feasibility of new approaches and implications of findings for ongoing or future research projects.

Consequence of Error/Judgement
Decisions directly influence the validity of research outcomes and the ability to meet grant deliverables. Errors in analysis, code compliance, or publications could delay the project, compromise funding, and impact the research team's reputation.
Supervision Received
Works from high-level research milestones set by Dr. Adebar. Meets monthly with Dr. Adebar to report on progress made towards the milestones.
Supervision Given
Provides technical oversight and mentorship to graduate students, co-op students, and other research staff working on related projects.
Minimum Qualifications
Undergraduate degree in Engineering or Applied Science. Minimum of five years of related experience, or the 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

Research-based master’s degree in structural engineering and a minimum five years of professional experience in the structural design of high-rise concrete buildings in both Canada and the United States. Demonstrated expertise in performance-based seismic design and nonlinear analysis.

Strong familiarity with state-of-the-art nonlinear structural analysis software. Registered professional engineer (PEng).