Postdoctoral Research Fellow (Sustainable Aviation Fuels)

Location: UBC Vancouver Campus, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada; based in the research group's laboratories. Full-time onsite position.

Salary: $75,000 CAD per year. Comprehensive benefits package included.

Company

hirify.global is an academic research institution whose Chemical and Biological Engineering department conducts research in catalysis, methane pyrolysis, CO2 conversion, carbon valorization, and sustainable fuels.

What you will do

• Develop, synthesize, characterize, and test catalysts for syngas-to-oxymethylene ether reaction steps.
• Design, build, and operate flow reactors and study interactions between coupled reaction steps.
• Analyze reaction products using gas chromatography and related methods, quantifying conversion, selectivity, and yield.
• Plan experiments, interpret data, and prepare manuscripts for peer-reviewed journals.
• Help supervise graduate and undergraduate students and present results at group meetings, to project partners, and at conferences.
• Maintain safe laboratory practices and contribute to procedures for handling flammable and toxic gases.

Requirements

• 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.
• Peer-reviewed publications in catalysis or reaction engineering.
• Ability to work independently and guide students in the laboratory.
• Ability to communicate effectively in English, verbally and in writing.

Nice to have

• 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.

Culture & Benefits

• Join a research team of graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and undergraduate researchers.
• Access catalyst synthesis, reactor, and characterization facilities.
• Comprehensive benefits package.
• Initial one-year appointment with possible extension subject to funding availability and work performance.
• Position prioritizes Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada, while all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply.

Hiring process

• Submit one PDF containing a cover letter, curriculum vitae with publication list, and contact details for three references.
• Applications are accepted until November 30, 2026; review begins immediately and continues until the position is filled.
• Application materials must be directed to Dr. Chester Upham and Hailey Boyer.