Researchers at Ontario Tech University in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada, seek two (2) Postdoctoral Fellows to support a research project focused on the life cycle analysis of solar, wind, small modular reactor (SMR) and battery storage technologies. The positions are offered for 12 months, beginning March 1, 2022, subject to funding approval.
The Fellows will be jointly supervised by the project research team: Jennifer McKellar and Kirk Atkinson, Faculty of Energy Systems and Nuclear Science, and Xianke Lin, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science.
Ontario Tech has recently established the Brilliant Energy Institute (BEI; https://research.ontariotechu.ca//discover-research/brilliant-energy-institute.php), which houses our Centre for Small Modular Reactors (CSMR). The BEI is positioned to be a change agent leading Canada’s energy transition. In collaboration with other universities and industry partners, the BEI aims to develop new innovative clean energy technologies in a variety of areas, including hydrogen, solar, wind, batteries. As well, Ontario Tech was recently designated an International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Collaborating Centre.
Responsibilities/Accountabilities
The successful candidates will contribute to the start-up and completion of the LCA and LCC analyses. They will undertake literature review, lead the scoping and data collection phases of the analyses, and assist with project management. They will also assist in the training of graduate students in LCA/LCC and the preparation of a grant proposal.
The successful candidates will be expected to prepare written reports for the industry partner, and give oral presentations on progress. They will also collaborate on the preparation of manuscripts for publication, and present research results at relevant conferences.
Required Skills
- At least one successful candidate must have expertise in LCA, LCC and energy systems, as well as experience with LCA software
- At least one successful candidate must have expertise in nuclear energy systems
- Excellent communication skills, both written and oral; a proven publication record would be an asset
- Strong project management skills, including the ability to meet deadlines
- Familiarity with one or more of these specific technologies, would be an asset: Solar PV, wind, SMRs, batteries
- Teaching experience, including as a teaching assistant, is an asset
- Familiarity with Ontario and Canada would be an asset
Education
- PhD in science or engineering, completed within the last 3 years
Position/location
- The Fellowships are full-time, one-year positions.
- Fellows will be expected to work on-campus in Oshawa, Ontario (if travel is constrained due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some remote work may be a possibility).
Required Experience
- At least one successful candidate must have expertise in LCA, LCC and energy systems, as well as experience with LCA software
- At least one successful candidate must have expertise in nuclear energy systems
- The following would be assets:
- Experience using commercial LCA software;
- Familiarity with one or more of: solar, wind, SMRs, batteries; and,
- Teaching experience.
- Successful candidates must be eligible to have access to export-controlled nuclear information from the United States.
This position falls within the bargaining unit represented by the Public Service Alliance of Canada (PSAC) and will be subject to the terms and conditions of the collective agreement between the University and PSAC. The collective agreement may be found on the Human Resources section of our website. Candidates will be required to certify that they are currently legally eligible to work in Canada for the duration of the contract.
How to Apply:
Interested candidates should submit in electronic format a covering letter and their resume. Applications will be accepted until February 18, 2022 or until a suitable candidate is found. We appreciate all applications received; however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
Ontario Tech University is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from all qualified candidates, while especially encouraging applications from women, members of visible minorities, Indigenous peoples, persons with disabilities, and persons of any sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression. All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian citizens, permanent residents and Indigenous Peoples in Canada will be given priority.
Ontario Tech University respects people's different needs and therefore will take all reasonable steps to ensure accommodation for applicants where appropriate. The University is also committed to ensuring that confidentiality is maintained throughout all aspects of the recruitment cycle.
The University has implemented a mandatory vaccine directive and this affects all employees, students and community members attending our University campus. As a result, all Ontario Tech employees attending campus are required to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19. Where operational needs require you to attend campus to perform the duties of your job, you will be required to comply with this request and with the mandatory vaccine directive which requires all employees to be fully vaccinated to attend campus as of October 17, 2021. To learn more about the University’s mandatory vaccination directive, please click here.
The university recognizes some faculty and staff may require accommodations. We are committed to an accommodation process in which individualized needs (e.g. for medical and religious/creed grounds) are appropriately addressed under the Ontario Human Rights Code. If you require accommodation, please contact Julie Day, Health and Disability Management Specialist. For more information about the universities policies for accommodating employees with disabilities please review the university’s Accessibility Policy.
The university acknowledges the lands and people of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation which is covered under the Williams Treaties. We are situated on the Traditional Territory of the Mississaugas, a branch of the greater Anishinaabeg Nation which includes Algonquin, Ojibway, Odawa and Pottawatomi.