Postdoctoral Fellow - Sustainable Building Energy with a Focus on Geothermal Heating and Cooling
About the role
Department: Mechanical, Industrial, and Mechatronics Engineering
Position supervisor: Dr. Seth Dworkin
Contract length: 6 months, with possibility of renewable up to 2 years
Hours of work per week: 36.25
Position type: Postdoctoral Fellow
Rate of pay: $67,500 per annum
About Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University)
At the intersection of mind and action, Toronto Metropolitan University is on a transformative path to become Canada’s leading comprehensive innovation university. Integral to this path is the placement of equity, diversity and inclusion as fundamental to our institutional culture. Our current academic plan outlines each as core values and we work to embed them in all that we do.
Toronto Metropolitan University welcomes those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and will assist us to expand our capacity for diversity in the broadest sense. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada, we encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
As an employer, we are working towards a people first culture and are proud to have been selected as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and a Greater Toronto’s Top Employer for 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
About the team
Prof. Dworkin holds a Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Energy Modelling and Simulation. The Dworkin group focuses primarily on numerical modelling, but also performs some experiments as needed for certain projects. The group currently has 2 Postdoctoral Fellows, 3 PhD students, 1 Masters student, and 2 Undergraduate Research Assistants. More experienced group members engage in mentorship of newer researchers in a team environment that often involves group problem solving.
The Dworkin Group is strongly committed to upholding the values of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), fostering an environment in which all will feel comfortable, safe, supported, and free to speak their minds and pursue their research interests. The Dworkin group recognizes that engineering culture can feel exclusionary to traditionally underrepresented groups in STEM fields. Those who identify as women, racialized, LGBTQ2S++, Indigenous, and/or people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
For more information on Prof. Dworkin’s research, visit www.torontomu.ca/~dworkin
The opportunity
The Dworkin group is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow to expand its research on novel in-ground heat exchangers with application to geothermal heating and cooling. Working with other researchers in the group, and industry professionals, the Postdoctoral Fellow will engage in leading-edge research on the development of novel numerical models, and conducting experiments for test installations.
Responsibilities include:
- Engaging in a program of leading-edge research towards the creation of new knowledge and numerical techniques
- Providing guidance and mentorship to graduate and undergraduate researchers
- Assist in the drafting of applications, manuscripts, proposals and reports
- Be a leader in a team environment that includes students and industry professionals
- Other lab management activities as directed by the supervisor
Qualifications
- A recent PhD in Mechanical Engineering or a related field, focusing on Thermofluids
- Experience in Numerical Simulation (Finite Element Analysis and/or Computational Fluid Dynamics) and Sustainable Building Energy
- Refined skills in technical writing including a proven history of peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals
- Ability to be self-motivated, to motivate others, and provide research leadership
- A commitment to the principles of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility
How to apply
Interested candidates should send a statement of interest and a CV as a pdf attachment to Prof. Dworkin at seth.dworkin@torontomu.ca by September 30, 2025.
Toronto Metropolitan University’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
- We encourage all First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples or Indigenous peoples of North America, to self-identify in their applications. If you are an Indigenous applicant and require support during the recruitment process, please reach out to James McKay, Indigenous HR Lead at james13@torontomu.ca.
- Toronto Metropolitan University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and aims to ensure that independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity are embedded in all aspects of the university culture.
- We will provide an accessible experience for applicants, students, employees, and members of the Toronto Metropolitan University community. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the recruitment process. If you have restrictions that need to be accommodated to fully participate in any phase of the recruitment process,please reach out to Human Resources:
- Current employees can contact HR by logging into AskHR to submit a request.
- External candidates who do not have TMU login credentials can contact HR by visiting torontomu.ca/human-resources/askhr/.
- All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.
About Toronto Metropolitan University
Toronto Metropolitan University is located in the heart of Canada's largest city. Its distinctly urban campus features a culture that's innovative and entrepreneurial, a community that's welcoming and inclusive, and a learning environment that's incredibly creative. Our mission is to serve societal need and engage communities both locally and across the globe.
Postdoctoral Fellow - Sustainable Building Energy with a Focus on Geothermal Heating and Cooling
About the role
Department: Mechanical, Industrial, and Mechatronics Engineering
Position supervisor: Dr. Seth Dworkin
Contract length: 6 months, with possibility of renewable up to 2 years
Hours of work per week: 36.25
Position type: Postdoctoral Fellow
Rate of pay: $67,500 per annum
About Toronto Metropolitan University (formerly Ryerson University)
At the intersection of mind and action, Toronto Metropolitan University is on a transformative path to become Canada’s leading comprehensive innovation university. Integral to this path is the placement of equity, diversity and inclusion as fundamental to our institutional culture. Our current academic plan outlines each as core values and we work to embed them in all that we do.
Toronto Metropolitan University welcomes those who have demonstrated a commitment to upholding the values of equity, diversity, and inclusion and will assist us to expand our capacity for diversity in the broadest sense. In addition, to correct the conditions of disadvantage in employment in Canada, we encourage applications from members of groups that have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples, Indigenous peoples of North America, racialized persons, persons with disabilities, and those who identify as women and/or 2SLGBTQ+. Please note that all qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, applications from Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority.
As an employer, we are working towards a people first culture and are proud to have been selected as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers and a Greater Toronto’s Top Employer for 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018.
About the team
Prof. Dworkin holds a Canada Research Chair in Sustainable Energy Modelling and Simulation. The Dworkin group focuses primarily on numerical modelling, but also performs some experiments as needed for certain projects. The group currently has 2 Postdoctoral Fellows, 3 PhD students, 1 Masters student, and 2 Undergraduate Research Assistants. More experienced group members engage in mentorship of newer researchers in a team environment that often involves group problem solving.
The Dworkin Group is strongly committed to upholding the values of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI), fostering an environment in which all will feel comfortable, safe, supported, and free to speak their minds and pursue their research interests. The Dworkin group recognizes that engineering culture can feel exclusionary to traditionally underrepresented groups in STEM fields. Those who identify as women, racialized, LGBTQ2S++, Indigenous, and/or people with disabilities are strongly encouraged to apply.
For more information on Prof. Dworkin’s research, visit www.torontomu.ca/~dworkin
The opportunity
The Dworkin group is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow to expand its research on novel in-ground heat exchangers with application to geothermal heating and cooling. Working with other researchers in the group, and industry professionals, the Postdoctoral Fellow will engage in leading-edge research on the development of novel numerical models, and conducting experiments for test installations.
Responsibilities include:
- Engaging in a program of leading-edge research towards the creation of new knowledge and numerical techniques
- Providing guidance and mentorship to graduate and undergraduate researchers
- Assist in the drafting of applications, manuscripts, proposals and reports
- Be a leader in a team environment that includes students and industry professionals
- Other lab management activities as directed by the supervisor
Qualifications
- A recent PhD in Mechanical Engineering or a related field, focusing on Thermofluids
- Experience in Numerical Simulation (Finite Element Analysis and/or Computational Fluid Dynamics) and Sustainable Building Energy
- Refined skills in technical writing including a proven history of peer-reviewed publications in high-impact journals
- Ability to be self-motivated, to motivate others, and provide research leadership
- A commitment to the principles of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Accessibility
How to apply
Interested candidates should send a statement of interest and a CV as a pdf attachment to Prof. Dworkin at seth.dworkin@torontomu.ca by September 30, 2025.
Toronto Metropolitan University’s commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
- We encourage all First Nations, Metis and Inuit peoples or Indigenous peoples of North America, to self-identify in their applications. If you are an Indigenous applicant and require support during the recruitment process, please reach out to James McKay, Indigenous HR Lead at james13@torontomu.ca.
- Toronto Metropolitan University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA), and aims to ensure that independence, dignity, integration and equality of opportunity are embedded in all aspects of the university culture.
- We will provide an accessible experience for applicants, students, employees, and members of the Toronto Metropolitan University community. We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the recruitment process. If you have restrictions that need to be accommodated to fully participate in any phase of the recruitment process,please reach out to Human Resources:
- Current employees can contact HR by logging into AskHR to submit a request.
- External candidates who do not have TMU login credentials can contact HR by visiting torontomu.ca/human-resources/askhr/.
- All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.
About Toronto Metropolitan University
Toronto Metropolitan University is located in the heart of Canada's largest city. Its distinctly urban campus features a culture that's innovative and entrepreneurial, a community that's welcoming and inclusive, and a learning environment that's incredibly creative. Our mission is to serve societal need and engage communities both locally and across the globe.