Postdoctoral Fellow in Structural and Earthquake Engineering

Competition 2126

This position is part of the Post Doctoral Fellows Association and has an initial appointment of one year with the possibility of extension upon availability of funding and satisfactory performance.

This position has a comprehensive benefits package.

Location -   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 focuses on advancing sustainable, resilient, and innovative engineering solutions. Through cutting-edge research, industry collaboration, and education, we address challenges in structural engineering, earthquake resilience, sustainable materials, and infrastructure sustainability, preparing engineers for the future.

Position Summary

This role offers the opportunity to contribute significantly to impactful research while working closely with a multidisciplinary team. The selected PDF will be able to publish the research results in reputable venues.

The Postdoctoral Fellow (PDF) in Structural and Earthquake Engineering will conduct advanced research in structural resiliency, seismic design, and computational mechanics, with a focus on developing innovative solutions for sustainable and resilient infrastructure. The successful candidate will collaborate with a multidisciplinary research team, contribute to experimental and numerical modeling, and engage with industry partners to advance real-world applications. Responsibilities also include supporting grant applications, contract proposals, and technical reports.

This one-year position offers a competitive salary, with the possibility of extension based on performance and funding availability.

Duties 

• Conduct research in structural resiliency, seismic design, pipeline analysis, and computational mechanics.
• Develop and implement experimental test setups and numerical models.
• Collaborate with researchers, students, and industry partners.
• Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and conferences.
• Assist with grant applications, proposals, and technical reports.
• Facilitate knowledge transfer and communication with external stakeholders.

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD (or expected completion) in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Computer Science/Engineering, or a related field (earned within the last five years).
• Strong background in structural resiliency, seismic design, and computational mechanics.
• Demonstrated research experience with a proven record of publications.
• Excellent communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a research-focused environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous work experience as a structural engineer.
• Experience in pipeline engineering.
• Familiarity with structural analysis software such as PERFORM 3D, SAP2000, Abaqus, or Ansys.
• Proven expertise in OpenSees or OpenSeesPy.
• Strong programming skills, particularly in Python, with an interest in finite element method automation.
• Experience in developing experimental setups and conducting physical tests.
• Proficiency in machine learning techniques, analytics, algorithms, and data visualization tools.

Application Instructions:

Interested candidates are encouraged to contact Dr. Nastaran Cheshmehkaboodi at cheshmeh@ualberta.ca, for further information regarding the position.

To apply, please submit the following documents in one .pdf document:

• A cover letter. 
• A detailed academic CV, including the names of at least three references (one of whom should be your PhD supervisor). 
• Two recent and relevant publications related to the position.

Please note: All qualified applications will be forwarded to Dr. Hossein Daneshvar in the Faculty of Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at the University of Alberta, for thorough evaluation