Postdoctoral Fellow in Materials Science

Polytechnicpositions; Edmonton; Hybrid; CAD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university in Canada is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow in Materials Science to support research in sustainable building systems and technologies for cold climates. This hybrid position involves collaboration across disciplines and offers a chance to engage in high-impact research. The ideal candidate will hold a PhD in a relevant field and have expertise in sustainable design and statistical analysis. Competitive salary offered.

Benefits

Competitive salary

Opportunity for interdisciplinary research

Mentorship and professional development

Qualifications

• PhD (or expected PhD) in mechanical, electrical, environmental engineering, or computer science, received within the last five years.
• Strong background in sustainable building design, system modeling, and statistical analysis.
• Excellent communication skills and a strong publication record.

Responsibilities

• Conduct applied research in sustainable building systems and technologies.
• Develop experimental setups, monitoring tools, or simulation models.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of researchers and industry partners.

Skills

Sustainable building design

Statistical analysis

Communication skills

Data analytics

Education

PhD in a relevant engineering discipline

Tools

Python

MATLAB

Job description

Postdoctoral Fellow in Materials Science

University of Alberta

Canada

Description

This position is part of the Post Doctoral Fellows Association and has an initial appointment of12 months.

Location - This role is hybrid with a mix of remote and in-person. Work primarily takes place at North Campus, Edmonton.

Working at the University of Alberta

The University of Alberta acknowledges that we are located on Treaty 6 territory, and respects the histories, languages and cultures of First Nations, Métis, Inuit and all FirstPeoples of Canada, whose presence continues to enrich our vibrant community.

The University of Alberta is a community of knowledge seekers, change makers and world shapers who lead with purpose each and every day. We are home to over 14,000 faculty and staff, more than 40,000 students and a growing community of 300,000 alumni worldwide.

Your work will have a meaningful influence on a fascinating cross-section of people — from our students and community members, to our renowned researchers and innovators, making discoveries and generating solutions that make the world healthier, safer, stronger and more just. Learn more .

Working for the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

The Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Alberta invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow to join a dynamic research group focused on advancing sustainable technologies and systems for cold climate regions.

The successful candidate will contribute to interdisciplinary projects in one or more of the following areas:

• Timber Engineering – Advancing the life-cycle performance, durability, and sustainability of wood-based construction systems.
• Controlled Environment Agriculture – Enhancing life-cycle design, climate control, and energy optimization to support food security and sustainable agriculture.
• Masonry Systems – Developing innovative solutions for resilient and energy-efficient masonry construction in northern climates.

The department’s research is rooted in applied, real-world challenges, with strong collaboration across disciplines including mechanical, electrical, environmental, and computer science engineering. The postdoctoral fellow will be expected to contribute to ongoing research initiatives, mentor graduate students, and support the development of new experimental and computational tools.

Position Summary

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow (PDF) to support research in sustainable building systems and materials for cold climates. The successful candidate will hold a PhD (within the last five years) in a relevant engineering discipline—such as civil, mechanical, electrical, environmental, or computer science—and possess a strong research background, analytical capability, and excellent communication skills.

Preferred qualifications include expertise in one or more of the following areas:

• Modeling and simulation of energy performance of building systems
• Energy optimization and environmental monitoring
• Design and control of systems for controlled environment
• Residential buildings and greenhouses

This is a 12-month position, with the possibility of extension based on performance and funding availability. Salary will be competitive and commensurate with qualifications.

Key responsibilities include:

• Conducting applied research in sustainable building systems and technologies (50%)
• Developing experimental setups, monitoring tools, or simulation models relevant to timber, masonry, or greenhouse systems (20%)
• Performing advanced modeling, simulations, and data analysis (15%)
• Collaborating with a multidisciplinary team of researchers and industry partners (10%)
• Supporting proposal development, technical reports, and peer-reviewed publications (5%)

This role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to high-impact, interdisciplinary research addressing real-world challenges in infrastructure, agriculture, and sustainability.

Duties

• Conduct research in one or more of the following areas: controlled environment agriculture, and building life-cycle evaluation and optimization
• Develop analytical and numerical models to support the design, performance assessment, or operation of sustainable building systems
• Design and conduct experiments in laboratory or field settings, including material testing or environmental monitoring
• Analyze complex datasets using advanced computational or statistical techniques
• Collaborate with faculty, graduate students, and external partners across disciplines
• Contribute to the preparation of grant proposals, technical reports, and peer-reviewed publications

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD (or expected PhD) in mechanical, electrical, environmental engineering, or computer science, received within the last five years.
• Strong background in sustainable building design, system modeling, and statistical analysis.
• Excellent communication skills and a strong publication record.
• Experience with climate management, energy optimization, and controlled environment agriculture.

Preferred Qualifications

• Knowledge of green building technology and controlled environment systems.
• Proficiency in data analytics, simulation tools, and programming (e.g., Python, MATLAB).
• Experience in experimental setups, monitoring, and environmental data collection.
• Familiarity with machine learning techniques and optimization methods.
• Strong collaboration skills and experience in multidisciplinary research.

How to Apply:

To apply, please submit the following in a single .PDF document:

• Cover Letter (Please address relevant expertise, training and career goals.)
• List of Publications

At the University of Alberta, we are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible hiring process for all candidates. If you require accommodations to participate in the interview process, please let us know at the time of booking your interview and we will make every effort to accommodate your needs.

We thank all applicants for their interest; however, only those individuals selected for an interview will be contacted.

All University employees have a responsibility to foster a workplace that prioritizes safety in all its forms—physical, cultural, and psychological. This is achieved by promoting a safe environment, adhering to all safety laws, policies and procedures, completing all required safety training, identifying hazards and implementing controls, reporting incidents, and contributing to a culture of inclusivity and respect, while endeavoring to ensure that all colleagues feel valued and safe to express their thoughts, perspectives and concerns.

The University of Alberta is committed to creating a university community where everyone feels valued, barriers to success are removed, and thriving connections are fostered. We welcome applications from all qualified persons. We encourage women, First Nations, Métis and Inuit persons, members of visible minority groups, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expression, and all those who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas and the University to apply.

Note: This opportunity will be available until midnight August 26, 2025, Edmonton, Alberta local time.

In your application, please refer to Polytechnicpositions.com