Postdoctoral Fellow, Low Carbon Concrete Materials

National Research Council of Canada; Ottawa; Hybrid; CAD 84,000 - 117,000; Full time

Job summary

The National Research Council of Canada invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow in Low Carbon Concrete Materials. This project investigates ground recycled glass as a scalable supplementary cementitious material to decarbonize concrete while supporting circular economy goals.

You will design and execute experimental programs, study hydration kinetics, assess concrete performance, and perform life‑cycle and techno‑economic analyses, under supervision of NRC researchers.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in cementitious materials research, including cement chemistry, hydration mechanisms, supplementary cementitious materials, concrete performance evaluation, and/or low-carbon concrete technologies.
• Experience in the full spectrum of research activities: proposing, planning, managing projects, conducting lab investigations, data analysis, and dissemination of results.
• Experience in designing, executing, and interpreting lab experiments related to cementitious materials and concrete, including analytical characterization, performance testing, durability assessment, and modelling.
• Experience evaluating concrete durability and long-term performance, including deterioration mechanisms and service-life assessment methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Investigate hydration kinetics and pozzolanic reactivity in cementitious systems incorporating GRG.
• Evaluate fresh and hardened performance of concrete mixtures.
• Conduct life cycle and techno-economic assessments of the materials.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary research teams under NRC supervision.

Skills

cement chemistry

hydration kinetics

materials analysis

experimental design

Education

PhD in Civil Engineering

Tools

Laboratory techniques

Job description

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Postdoctoral Fellow, Low Carbon Concrete Materials

Priority may be given to the following designated employment equity groups: women, Indigenous Peoples* (First Nations, Inuit and Métis), persons with disabilities and racialized persons*.

* The Employment Equity Act, which is under review, uses the terminology Aboriginal peoples and visible minorities.

Candidates are asked to self-declare when applying to this hiring process.

OrganizationalUnit:Construction

Classification:RO

Duration: 2 years

Work arrangements: Due to the nature of the work and operational requirements, this position may be eligible for a limited hybrid work arrangement (combination of working onsite and telework).

At the NRC, we recognize that Indigenous candidates may have important connections to their communities and you may be eligible for an exception to this work arrangement. Alternative work arrangements may also be considered to accommodate candidates as required. To learn more about these options, please contact the NRC Hiring team using the contact information below.

The program

Engineered Recycled Glass as a Supplementary Cementitious Material for Low Carbon, High Performance Concrete ─ Stabilizing the Supply Chain in Canada

The role

Concrete, the most widely used construction material worldwide, is essential for resilient infrastructure but also generates significant greenhouse gas emissions due to cement production. A key strategy for reducing these emissions is lowering the clinker content of cement through supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs). However, the traditional SCM supply chain is shrinking as coal power generation is phased out and steel production technologies evolve, creating an emerging materials challenge for low‑carbon concrete in Canada. This project will address the challenge by investigating ground recycled glass (GRG) as a scalable, sustainable alternative SCM supporting both decarbonization and circular economy objectives.

The PDF will play a central role in designing and executing the experimental research program. Responsibilities will include investigating hydration kinetics and pozzolanic reactivity in cementitious systems incorporating GRG, evaluating the fresh and hardened performance of concrete mixtures, and conducting life cycle and techno-economic assessments.

Education

Ph.D. in Civil Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Cement Chemistry, or a closely related discipline.

• Significant experience in cementitious materials research, including cement chemistry, hydration mechanisms, supplementary cementitious materials, concrete performance evaluation, and/or low-carbon concrete technologies.
• Experience in the full spectrum of research activities, including identifying research needs, developing research proposals, planning and managing projects, conducting laboratory investigations, analyzing and interpreting data, and disseminating results through technical reports, presentations, and peer-reviewed publications.
• Experience in the design, execution, and interpretation of laboratory experiments related to cementitious materials and concrete, including analytical characterization techniques, performance testing, durability assessment, and modelling approaches.
• Experience in evaluating concrete durability and long‑term performance, including investigation of deterioration mechanisms, service‑life assessment methodologies, and performance-based testing approaches.
• Experience in experimental design and statistical analysis, including data collection, quality assurance and quality control, data interpretation, and development of evidence-based recommendations.
• Experience working effectively within multidisciplinary research teams.

For a Reliability Status, verification of background information over a period of 5 years is required.

Who is eligible?

• Fellowships will be for two years contingent on satisfactory progress achieved during the first year.
• Candidates should have obtained a PhD (or equivalent) within the past three years (PhD received on or after July 1, 2024*) or expect to complete their PhD within 6 months of appointment.
• Fellows will work in a lab under the direct supervision of an NRC researcher.

*Exceptions may be considered to recognize personal or family related leave. Please connect with us using the contact information below to discuss in more detail.

Application requirements

To be considered for the program please include the following in your application, please note that you will need to attach the required documents as per the list below when submitting your application. Failure to do so will result in your application being excluded.

• Resume
• Statement of Interest in the project (maximum one page in length)
• PhD Transcript - an electronic copy is sufficient, it does not have to be an official version.
• List of Publications

When submitting your application you can include the required documents in any attachment field such as «Second language evaluation results» or «Other attachments»

In addition, applicants who best meet the requirements of the position will be asked to provide three letters of recommendation at a later stage of the competition process.

Compensation

The intent of this hiring action is to staff the position at the AsRO level, which is an early‑career level position with a salary range of $83,985 to $116,641. This wide range accounts for varying degrees of expertise and impact, and growth within the role.

Salary determination will be based on a thorough evaluation of the successful candidate's prior experience. This evaluation will consider specific achievements, skills, and contributions that demonstrate the candidate's impact and expertise. As a guide, the average starting rate for new PhD graduates entering this role is $83,985.

The NRC is committed to supporting career progression within the organization, providing access to the opportunities and resources needed for a pathway to a fulfilling career. NRC employees also enjoy a wide‑range of competitive benefits including a robust pension plan, comprehensive health and dental coverage, disability and life insurance, office closure at the end of December, and additional supports to enhance your well‑being throughout your career and beyond.

Discover the possible

Anything is possible at the NRC, named in 2026 one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, Top Employer in the National Capital Region and Forbes Canada’s Best Employers!

As Canada’s largest research and innovation organization, our world‑renowned research pushes the boundaries of science and engineering to make the impossible, possible. Every day we explore new ideas through innovative research and help companies discover possibilities that impact Canada’s future and the world.

At the NRC, you’ll also discover new possibilities. Our supportive workplace fosters a culture of creativity, welcoming fresh perspectives and innovation at all levels. We value teamwork. You’ll collaborate across multiple fields and with the brightest minds to find creative solutions. Most importantly, you’ll discover what’s possible within you as you grow, make valuable contributions and progress in your professional journey. From ground‑breaking discoveries to a life‑changing career, discover your possible at the NRC.

Notes

• In 2026, the NRC was chosen as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, a National Capital Region Top Employer and Forbes Canada’s Best Employer.
• Relocation assistance will be determined in accordance with the NRC's directives.
• Fellowships are open to nationals of all countries, although preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada. Please include citizenship information in your application.
• The incumbent must adhere to safe workplace practices at all times.
• We thank all those who apply, however only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Please direct your questions, with therequisition number (26201) to:

Closing Date: 7 January 2027 - 23:59 Eastern Time

*If you are currently a term or continuing employee at NRC, please apply through the SuccessFactors Careersmodule from your NRC computer.