Post Doctoral Fellow - Sustainable Building Systems and Materials
Top Benefits
About the role
Department Faculty of Engineering - Civil and Environmental Engineering Dept
Hours per week -
Posted date July 23, 2025
Closing date August 26, 2025
Position Type Full Time - Trust Funded
Description
This position is part of the Post Doctoral Fellows Association and has an initial appointment of 12 months.
This position has a comprehensive benefits package.
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 :
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.
L’Université de l’Alberta s’engage à créer une communauté universitaire où chaque personne se sent valorisée, où les obstacles à la réussite sont éliminés et où des connexions enrichissantes peuvent se développer. Nous accueillons les demandes de toutes les personnes qualifiées. Nous encourageons les femmes; Premières nations, Métis et Inuits; membres des groupes minoritaires visibles; personnes handicapées; personnes ayant une orientation sexuelle ou une identité et une expression sexospécifique; et tous ceux qui peuvent contribuer à la diversification des idées et à l'université à postuler.
Note: This opportunity will be available until midnight August 26, 2025, Edmonton, Alberta local time.
About University of Alberta
The University of Alberta is one of Canada’s top teaching and research universities, with an international reputation for excellence across the humanities, sciences, creative arts, business, engineering, and health sciences. Home to more than 39,000 students and 15,000 faculty and staff, the university has an annual budget of $1.7 billion and attracts nearly $450 million in sponsored research revenue. The U of A offers close to 400 rigorous undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs in 18 faculties on five campuses. The university has more than 250,000 alumni worldwide.
The university and its people remain dedicated to the promise made in 1908 by founding president Henry Marshall Tory that knowledge shall be used for “uplifting the whole people."
Post Doctoral Fellow - Sustainable Building Systems and Materials
Top Benefits
About the role
Department Faculty of Engineering - Civil and Environmental Engineering Dept
Hours per week -
Posted date July 23, 2025
Closing date August 26, 2025
Position Type Full Time - Trust Funded
Description
This position is part of the Post Doctoral Fellows Association and has an initial appointment of 12 months.
This position has a comprehensive benefits package.
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 :
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.
L’Université de l’Alberta s’engage à créer une communauté universitaire où chaque personne se sent valorisée, où les obstacles à la réussite sont éliminés et où des connexions enrichissantes peuvent se développer. Nous accueillons les demandes de toutes les personnes qualifiées. Nous encourageons les femmes; Premières nations, Métis et Inuits; membres des groupes minoritaires visibles; personnes handicapées; personnes ayant une orientation sexuelle ou une identité et une expression sexospécifique; et tous ceux qui peuvent contribuer à la diversification des idées et à l'université à postuler.
Note: This opportunity will be available until midnight August 26, 2025, Edmonton, Alberta local time.
About University of Alberta
The University of Alberta is one of Canada’s top teaching and research universities, with an international reputation for excellence across the humanities, sciences, creative arts, business, engineering, and health sciences. Home to more than 39,000 students and 15,000 faculty and staff, the university has an annual budget of $1.7 billion and attracts nearly $450 million in sponsored research revenue. The U of A offers close to 400 rigorous undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs in 18 faculties on five campuses. The university has more than 250,000 alumni worldwide.
The university and its people remain dedicated to the promise made in 1908 by founding president Henry Marshall Tory that knowledge shall be used for “uplifting the whole people."