Senior Research Scientist

University of British Columbia • Vancouver, BC

1d • CA$6,251 - CA$8,986 • Onsite

About The Position

Prof. Tony T.Y. Yang is hiring a Senior Research Scientist in UBC Smart Structures to conduct smart construction research. The position is expected to lead and coordinate activities across multiple Smart Construction research projects within UBC Smart Structures. Current projects include: 5G based AI-enabled Smart Construction Projects: Develop cutting edge AI algorithms and robotics for smart construction. Smart Infrastructure and Structural Health Monitoring: Develop AI algorithms for energy usage detection and structural health monitoring. The candidate will be part of the research team at UBC Smart Structures. He/she will lead and coordinate multiple Smart Construction research projects and related technical activities within UBC Smart Structures. He/she will be directly supervised by Prof. T.Y. Yang. Regular meetings with Prof. Yang will be required for this position.

Requirements

• Undergraduate degree in Engineering or Applied Science.
• Minimum of one year 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

Nice To Haves

• Master's or PhD degree in Engineering, Applied Science, or a related field.
• Demonstrated research experience in Smart Construction, Structural Health Monitoring, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, or related areas.
• Record of peer-reviewed publications; multiple publications are considered an asset.
• Experience working with robotic systems, sensing systems, instrumentation, and data acquisition platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and solve complex technical problems.
• Experience collaborating within multidisciplinary research teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the day-to-day execution of multiple Smart Construction research projects, including planning, implementation, and technical oversight, ensuring alignment with the research objectives of UBC Smart Structures.
• Apply advanced technical expertise and independent judgment in the design, configuration, deployment, and evaluation of sensing and data acquisition systems within Smart Construction research projects.
• Evaluate the impact of sensor configurations, instrumentation decisions, and data quality on downstream AI algorithms, robotics systems, and automated construction workflows.
• Responsible for the development and application of AI-based methods for energy usage detection, structural condition assessment, and intelligent decision-making in Smart Construction and infrastructure systems.
• Integrate knowledge of sensing technologies, data acquisition systems, robotics, and computational methods to support technical decision-making during laboratory experiments and field deployments across multiple research projects.
• Oversee day-to-day research activities and ensure effective execution of experimental and field-based work across concurrent projects.
• Provide technical guidance and research direction to postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, undergraduate researchers, and research assistants engaged in project activities.
• Participate in regular meetings with Prof. T.Y. Yang to report progress, discuss technical challenges, adjust research plans, and support UBC Smart Structures initiatives.

Benefits

• The University of British Columbia is a global centre for research and teaching, consistently ranked among the top 20 public universities globally.
• Recognized as a leading employer in British Columbia and Canada, UBC supports inspired students, faculty and staff on their journey of discovery, and challenges them to realize their greatest potential.
• New ideas, changing infrastructure, innovative technology, and fresh approaches are opening up possibilities for the future of research, teaching, and work.
• 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, and/or Indigenous person.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior
• Education Level: Associate degree