Research Officer - Construction Productivity & Optimization

National Research Council Canada / Conseil national de recherches Canada; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 84,000 - 168,000; Full time

Job summary

National Research Council Canada (NRC) is implementing the Platform to Decarbonize the Construction Sector at Scale to accelerate decarbonization through digital construction, new codes, standards and guidelines. The RO role supports program goals, conducts high-impact research, and collaborates with diverse partners in world-class facilities.

The position requires a PhD in Construction Management or Industrial Engineering and English language proficiency, with a four-day on-site presence at the

Qualifications

• PhD in Construction Management or Industrial Engineering with emphasis on Construction Value Chain.
• Significant experience in measuring and analyzing construction productivity or related research.
• Education related to construction supply chain valuation, life cycle environmental and/or cost assessment may be asset.

Responsibilities

• Support the goals of NRC’s Platform to Decarbonize the Construction Sector at Scale and other Programs.
• Develop proposals for new research initiatives and manage projects.
• Communicate research plans and results to stakeholders and collaborate with researchers and technical experts.

Skills

Research planning

Stakeholder engagement

Team collaboration

Performance measurement

Education

PhD in Construction Management or Industrial Engineering

PhD plus significant productivity research

Construction supply chain valuation / LCA asset

Job description

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.

City: Ottawa

Organizational Unit: Construction

Classification: RO

Tenure: Continuing

Language Requirements: English

Work arrangements: Due to the nature of the work and operational requirements, this position will require a four (4) day physical presence at the at the NRC work location identified. 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 role

NRC Construction is implementing the "Platform to Decarbonize the Construction Sector at Scale" (NRC Platform) to accelerate and scale up new technologies to help transition the Canadian construction sector towards decarbonization and contribute to the emerging low-carbon economy. It will also establish new codes, standards, specifications, and guidelines to position the sector to achieve its 2050 greenhouse gas (GHG) carbon reduction targets. These investments will help spur the growth of Canada’s clean technology sector and help achieve Canada’s international commitments to reduce GHG emissions.

Federal Budget 2022 proposed that the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) receive $183.2 million over seven years (2022-29) to transition the Canadian construction sector towards decarbonization and enhanced productivity. The funding will support the implementation of a NRC Platform consisting of three integrated and synergistic Programs to advance the transformation of Canada’s construction sector and contribute to the emerging low-carbon economy.

The Digitalization and Productivity Challenge Program (approximately $70M over seven years) will drive transformation to digitalised and automated construction and accelerate the adoption of novel off-site construction methodologies. The program will support lower construction time and cost, while improving sector innovation potential, productivity and the pace at which low-carbon solutions can be deployed in new and retrofit construction projects.

The program will be specifically designed to harness and focus Canada’s research and innovation capacity in industry, academia and research-based OGDs to fill key knowledge gaps (e.g. guidelines, standard methods of data exchange, standards development, integration of off-site manufacturing design and practices for deconstruction, productivity quantification, among others) to realize the potential benefits of off-site construction and automation. It will seek to implement processes to optimise the designs and compliance of buildings and infrastructure, leverage benefits of advanced manufacturing processes including modular off-site construction (MOC), and advance development of low-carbon retrofit solutions that lever performance-based design.

The role (continued)

Research and development motivated by this program will provide the technical solutions needed for early adopters in the private sector to uniformly implement integrated digital construction practices throughout the asset lifecycle and across the sector. Demonstration projects with early adopters will showcase the value of digitalised construction solutions, which will help increase sector productivity, reduce time and cost, when coupled with a shift from prescriptive to performance-based solutions.

The primary responsibility of the RO is to support the goals of NRC’s Platform to Decarbonize the Construction Sector at Scale, and other Programs served by the Intelligent Building Operations unit. These goals require research of international calibre and the development and application of advanced technologies to support the needs of our numerous industry partners. The RO works in a team environment with researchers and technical experts in world-class facilities. Activities also include the development of proposals for new research initiatives, effective project management, support to the enhancement of facilities, and communication of research plans and results to stakeholders.

Screening criteria

Applicants must demonstrate within the content of their application that they meet the following screening criteria in order to be given further consideration as candidates:

Education

A PhD in Construction Management or Industrial Engineering with an emphasis on Construction Value Chain.

A PhD in a related field, combined with significant experience in measuring and analyzing construction productivity/efficiency or related research may also be considered.

Education related to construction supply chain valuation, life cycle environmental and/or cost assessment may be considered an asset.

For information on certificates and diplomas issued abroad, please see Degree equivalency

Experience

• Experience in conducting research on construction productivity and/or conducting comparative studies on productivity/performance data to enhance construction productivity (time, cost, environmental impacts) through applications such as MOC, IPD, BIM or other construction practices. Experience related to comparative analysis of MOC vs conventional construction may be considered an asset.
• Experience in construction supply chain logistics/network optimization, including areas such as transportation systems, operations research, or stochastic optimization.
• Experience in research proposal development, working with diverse stakeholders and multi-disciplinary teams, project execution, documentation, and reporting.

Experience in construction (on-site and/or off-site) automation (e.g. automated data acquisition, automated collision avoidance, automated manufacturing technologies and processes may be considered an asset.

Experience in business development, marketing activities, and/or the development of partnerships and collaborations may be considered an asset.

Condition of employment

Reliability Status

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

Language requirements

English

Information on language requirements and self-assessment tests

Assessment criteria

Candidates will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:

Technical competencies

• Ability to apply knowledge to research and technology development projects. Knowledge in leading/participating in research project planning, work scheduling, costing, proposal development, and engaging with stakeholders.
• Advanced knowledge in construction performance measurement frameworks and metrics focusing on productivity improvement and/or carbon reduction.
• Advanced knowledge of productivity enhancements and/or emissions reductions through non-conventional construction practices such as leveraging MOC, IPD, Digital Tools/Solutions, AI.
• Knowledge of comparison research for construction performance and productivity of:
• different construction practices, technologies, processes, and/or materials; and/or
• planned vs actual outputs.
• Knowledge in benchmarking construction performance and productivity may be considered an asset.
• Knowledge in multiple MOC practices (e.g. volumetric modular, open/closed panels, mass timber, precast) may be considered an asset.

Behavioural competencies

• Research - Creative thinking (Level 2)
• Research - Communication (Level 2)
• Research - Partnering (Level 2)
• Research - Teamwork (Level 2)
• Research - Results orientation (Level 2)

Competency Profile(s)

For this position, the NRC will evaluate candidates using the following competency profile(s): Research ;

View all competency profiles

Compensation

The intent of this hiring action is to staff this position at the RO-2-4 level, which is a mid-career level position with a salary range of $83,985 to $168,192.

NOTE: Please note that the full RO/RCO salary scale has five levels. Salary determination will be based on a review of the candidate’s expertise, outcomes and impacts of their previous work experience relative to the requirements of the level. As such, the initial salary could be within another level of the RO/RCO salary scale (i.e. above or below the intended level for this position).

NRC employees 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 foster 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

• Relocation assistance will be determined in accordance with the NRC's directives.
• A pre-qualified list may be established for similar positions for a one-year period.
• 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 the requisition number (26191) to:

E-mail: [e-mail]

Telephone:

Closing Date: 8 December 2026 - 23:59 Eastern Time

For more information on career tools and other resources, check out Career tools and resources

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