Senior Research Scientist - Lignin Valorization & Catalytic Depolymerization

Staff – Non Union Job Category Non Union Technicians and Research Assistants Job Profile Non Union Salaried – Research Assistant /Technician 4 Job Title Senior Research Scientist – Lignin Valorization & Catalytic Depolymerization Department Bio Products Institute | Dean’s Office | Faculty of Applied Science Compensation Range $5,220.98 – $6,124.46 CAD Monthly Posting End Date March 2, 2026

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

Job End Date

March 8, 2027

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.

The Bioproducts Institute is seeking an experienced, motivated, and collaborative Senior Research Scientist to lead and expand our lignin valorization research program. The successful candidate will spearhead scientific innovation in lignin stabilization and depolymerization, focusing on translating transformative biomass chemistry into scalable technology for sustainable bioproducts and biorefinery systems. This role integrates fundamental research, process development, industry collaboration, and mentoring of students and junior scientists.

Under the direct supervision of Prof. Orlando Rojas, this position will work in a dynamic research environment with opportunities for scientific leadership and innovation. This position will also interact frequently with industry leaders and world‑class academic partners.

• Lead research on lignin stabilization during biomass pretreatment to prevent condensation reactions and preserve depolymerizable structures, based on incorporating protective groups into biomass extraction workflows.
• Develop and optimize catalytic depolymerization strategies (e.g., hydrogenolysis) to produce high‑selectivity monomer products from lignin feed stocks.
• Investigate the effects of extraction conditions, protection chemistries, solvent systems, and catalysts (precious and base metal catalysts) on lignin conversion, selectivity, yield, and downstream process integration.
• Characterize lignin structure and depolymerization products using advanced analytical techniques (NMR, GC‑MS, LC‑MS, GPC, etc.).

• Translate laboratory discoveries into pilot‑scale process concepts and collaborate on scale‑up studies.
• Analyze techno‑economic and environmental performance of lignin‑based valorization routes.
• Contribute to intellectual property generation (patents, disclosures) and publication of high‑impact research results.

• Work closely with internal teams and external partners, including academic collaborators, industrial stakeholders, and technology partners.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary research efforts integrating chemical catalysis, biomass fractionation, and process engineering.

• Supervise graduate students, postdocs, and junior research staff, fostering scientific development and best laboratory practices.
• Provide technical guidance and leadership in experimental design, data interpretation, and scientific communication.

• Lead engagement with industrial partners to align research goals with practical biorefinery challenges and commercialization pathways.
• Advise on requirements for integration with existing pulp/paper or biorefinery operations and new value chains for lignin‑derived platform chemicals.

Errors in judgment with internal or external constituents could have a negative impact on the Bioproducts Institute and the University, resulting in poor public relations, financial costs, loss of credibility. Work must often meet tight deadlines and requires the incumbent to perform well under pressure. The incumbent will be expected to respond well to unexpected circumstances and exercise independent judgment. The incumbent must demonstrate…