Graduate Research Assistant - NFRF-Exploration Grant - Dias - Winter 2027

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APPLICATION DEADLINE: Friday November 13th, 11:59PM

Academic department: School of Environment, Enterprise and Development

Academic Term: Winter 2027

Mode of delivery: In-Person

Location/Campus: UW

Appointment Load Available

0.25 appointment = 0

0.50 appointment = 0

0.75 appointment = 0

Full 1.0 appointment = 1

Total load available = 1

QUALIFICATIONS

Educational Requirements

PhD student in SEED or ENV

Description of Qualifications

• This GRA position is associated with a two-year NFRF- Exploration grant, which addresses the challenge of advancing clean energy for sustainable food production in Canada. The project is developing greenhouse-integrated photovoltaics, GI-PV , specifically, organic-semiconductor-based solar cells (OPVs), and integrating GI-OPV designs, guided by greenhouse growers’ perspectives for optimized crop–solar co-performance. The GRA will be responsible for research related to growers’ practices, cultural values, and environmental life cycle considerations, using a variety of approaches, including workshops, surveys, and literature review. The growers’ perspectives on design and practical constraints will be used to design the GI-OPV. At the end of the project, the GRA will have developed an anticipatory life cycle assessment framework, using anticipatory governance principles. The GRA is responsible for: 1) identifying sociocultural factors—including greenhouse farming practices, worldviews, cultural values, and practical constraints—that influence solarized greenhouse adoption among Canadian greenhouse growers; and 2) establish the foundations of an anticipatory governance-based life cycle assessment (A-LCA) framework to guide the design, deployment, and adoption of next-generation solarized greenhouses, systematically integrating technical, sociocultural, and environmental considerations for responsible, scalable deployment across diverse Canadian contexts.Project phases:
  There are four phases to the project, with a starting date of September 1, 2026. This GRA is related to phase 1, but there is potential for the GRA to continue for the other phases.
  Phase 1 (Foundations and Preliminary Co-Design Principles; Months 1–6). Develop introductory engagement materials on GI-OPVs to hold first workshops (~month 3) with growers and Indigenous communities, followed by survey and personal encounters to probe sensitivities and priorities. Synthesize findings into preliminary design principles for socially aware GI-OPVs (technical + sociocultural).
  Phase 2 (Co-Design Iteration 1; Months 7–12). Share preliminary technical findings with growers; elicit aesthetic and practical preferences (appearance, mounting, substrates); conduct surveys and personal encounters to refine insights. Develop a preliminary A-LCA framework based on the first round of technical and community inputs.

Course Specific Requirements

• Strong research and lit review skills
• Critical thinking

Compensation: $58.46 / hour, plus 4% vacation pay (GRA – Doctoral)

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Equity Statement

The University of Waterloo acknowledges that much of our work takes place on the traditional territory of the Neutral, Anishinaabeg, and Haudenosaunee peoples. Our main campus is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land granted to the Six Nations that includes six miles on each side of the Grand River. Our active work toward reconciliation takes place across our campuses through research, learning, teaching, and community building, and is coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.

The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at [email protected] or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.