Open Roles

Cityscape at night.

Open Roles

Join the Future Cities Institute and take part in shaping the cities of tomorrow. We are looking for individuals passionate about innovation and interdisciplinary collaboration. Whether you’re advancing your research career or seeking hands-on opportunities to make an impact, our open positions provide a platform to contribute to cutting-edge solutions for urban challenges.

Full-time Positions

Academic Program Development Specialist

Learn more and apply here: Academic Program Development Specialist, Future Cities Institute

Job Requisition ID:

2026-00140

Time Type:

Full time

Employee Group:

Staff

Job Category:

Academic Program Administration

Employment Type:

Temporary

Department:

Faculty of Environment - Dean of Environment Office - Future Cities Institute Operations

Hiring Range:

$65,973.33 - $82,466.66

Posting Information:

Term: 20 months

This position is being offered as a Secondment or contract opportunity.

The internal posting deadline for this position is Wednesday, February 12, 2026, 11:59PM.

Job Description:

Primary Purpose

The Academic Program Development Specialist reports to the Managing Director, Future Cities Institute (FCI) to support and manage the administration of the future cities programming.  Significant aspects of this position include coordination with central university administration (e.g. registrar’s office), course and lab scheduling of the academic programs, developing and maintaining administrative processes, and curriculum review and deployment. 

The Academic Program Development Specialist works closely with the leadership group of the Future Cities Institute (FCI), the Director, and the Managing Director FCI to manage the design, development and delivery of new collaborative academic and life-long learning programs in future cities. The incumbent is responsible for program and curriculum development, partnership development, program promotions, program management and administration, and program tracking, evaluation and reporting for FCI programs. The position is also responsible for supporting curriculum development, updates and approvals for new programs. This unique position will contribute directly to shaping the evolution of Waterloo’s future cities educational programming.

Key Accountabilities

Future cities programming development and coordination

  • Support the Director, FCI (and/or their delegate), in the program approval process, including development of required documentation and undertaking background research and information gathering
  • Work closely with the Director, Managing Director and (when appropriate) a cross-Faculty program advisory committee to design and develop the course content for the future cities graduate and undergraduate course content
  • Undertake a comprehensive review of the course calendar to identify courses that could be linked to the future cities in each Faculty, and identify gaps where new course offerings may be developed
  • As needed, support the coordination of the Master of Future Cities, Faculty of Environment and Master of Engineering, Future Cities graduate degree programs, including budgeting, managing logistics, tracking milestones, reporting, and supporting instructors and students
  • Identify opportunities to integrate experiential learning activities and research taking place in the Future Cities Institute to programs/diplomas
  • Coordinate events for students to engage in academic program enrichment opportunities
  • Design and manage a high-profile annual lecture series and associated interactive events for students and the broader community that align with learning objectives and supports network building and exposure to complementary experts and ideas
  • Coordinate with the Faculty and University level marketing, recruitment and communications teams to develop marketing and recruitment plans and materials to promote the future cities programs
  • Coordinate the adjudication of FCI scholarships

Development and Management of the Life-long Learning Program

  • Apply best practices and innovative approaches to design new and unique life-long learning courses, seminars and workshops for private and public sector professionals that draw on Future Cities Institute experts and leverage existing curriculum
  • Apply expertise in pedagogy and life-long learning to design effective learning outcomes, teaching strategies, learning activities and tasks, and assessment strategies
  • Maintain effective input into program development from relevant Faculties, departments, schools and other support units through the establishment and coordination of an advisory committee to ensure program buy-in, alignment with strategic institutional objectives, and value
  • Undertake structured market research to identify opportunities for new life-long learning program offerings related to future cities
  • Develop and manage a partnership strategy to actively engage external groups, organizations, and companies to promote the programs and gain an understanding of their training needs
  • Work closely with the Future Cities Institute Communications Officer to design marketing materials, program websites, and other communications products to support the promotion of the life-long learning programs
  • Design and manage networking activities and events for program participants to expand and support strategic opportunities for the Faculty of Environment, Faculty of Engineering and Future Cities Institute, including with respect to opportunities for interdisciplinary and experiential teaching, research, learning and outreach, and other University-industry collaborations
  • Work closely with the Managing Director of the FCI to ensure financial accountability and sustainability of the life-long learning programs
  • Design program metrics and a system to track performance, outcomes, and the impact of the program over time
  • Undertake regular program reviews, including soliciting feedback from participants, instructors, and other cross-faculty and external stakeholders
  • Provide recommendations for updates and changes to the programs based on feedback, trends, and learning outcomes assessment tools and techniques, and develop a feedback loop to facilitate the ongoing refinement of course offerings
  • Prepare annual reports that summarize program activities, achievements, changes and results for various internal and external audiences
  • Manage new program development schedules and processes, including setting objectives, timelines and milestones, and applying strong project management practices

Administrative support

  • Provide statistical information, conduct research, develop materials and reports to contribute to discussions, decision-making, committees, and meetings for forecasting, reporting purposes, long term planning and implementation of ongoing changes
  • Coordinate, compile, and edit submissions for the graduate calendar with relevant Faculty graduate administrators
  • Monitor FCI faculty appointment changes, additions of new faculty members, revisions to existing programs and/or courses, and new program and/or course offerings is required to ensure correct information is submitted
  • Perform other duties and assists with special projects assigned by the Director and Managing Director, FCI

Required Qualifications

Education

  • Graduate degree (Masters) in a relevant field (future cities, engineering, planning, education)
  • A certificate, diploma, or other certification/qualification in adult education, online learning, instructional design, program management, or project management is an asset

Experience

  • Experience related to pedagogical design and curriculum development or educational development at the post-secondary level
  • Minimum of five years of experience in program management and coordination, and partnership/business development in a life-long learning or adult education environment
  • Experience teaching (or supporting teaching) in higher education is an asset
  • Demonstrated expertise in the creation and delivery of online, blended and in-person learning
  • Demonstrated capabilities in program evaluation and quantitative and/or qualitative research methods
  • A broad understanding and knowledge of the University of Waterloo environment at both the organizational and operational levels is an asset
  • Demonstrated experience and success working with external partners, senior leaders, and topic experts

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

  • Excellent communication and relationship management skills - written, verbal, interpersonal, presentation, advocacy - communicates clearly and professionally with a diverse group of internal and external stakeholders including faculty, staff, administrators, partners, and clients
  • Ability to recognize opportunities and refine them to defined programs
  • Proven ability to collaborate with a broad range of stakeholders in various roles and at various levels of an organization to effectively achieve program objectives
  • Project management and coordination skills – able to consistently plan, facilitate, document and follow up on meetings, tasks, decisions and approvals in a consistent and transparent manner
  • Superior organizational and self-management including time management and the ability to prioritize, multi-task and attend to detail
  • Proactively anticipates challenges and takes initiative in resolving issues
  • Thorough understanding of adult learning principles and ability to apply program context to ground discussions and program decisions
  • Excellent negotiation skills
  • Flexible and entrepreneurial mindset

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 hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.

Co-op Positions

Geospatial Systems Analyst Co-op (Enterprise Geospatial Technology, City of Edmonton)

Company Information 

Organization* 

University of Waterloo 

Division* 

Future Cities Institute 

Primary job details 

Work Term* 

2026 - Spring 

Job Type* 

Co-op Main 

Job Title* 

Geospatial Systems Analyst Co-op (Enterprise Geospatial Technology, City of Edmonton in partnership with the Future Cities Institute) 

Employer Internal Job Number 

Number of Job Openings* 

Level* 

Students are classified as junior, intermediate or senior depending on their number of work terms. 

☐ Junior 

☐ Intermediate 

☒ Senior 

Location information 

Region* 

  • Use the Region field to indicate the region of the job. 

  • If you are posting jobs in multiple regions, indicate the region of your organization (where you as a contact are posting from). 

  • If your job is remote, indicate the region of your organization (where you as a contact areposting from) and update the "Employment location arrangement" field. 

☐ Atlantic Canada 

☐ ON – Bruce, Grey, Simcoe Region 

☐ ON – Chatham-Kent, Essex, Lambton Region 

☐ ON – Durham Region 

☐ ON – Eastern Ontario  

☐ ON – Halton Region 

☐ ON – Hamilton, Niagara, Brant, Haldimand Region 

☐ ON – Huron, Perth, Wellington, Dufferin Region 

☐ ON – Kawartha, Haliburton, Peterborough Region 

☐ ON – Muskoka, Parry Sound Region 

☐ ON – Northern Ontario 

☐ ON – Oxford, Middlesex, Norfolk, Elgin Region 

☐ ON – Peel Region 

☐ ON – Toronto 

☐ ON – Waterloo Region 

☐ ON – York Region 

☐ National Capital Region – Ottawa, Gatineau 

☐ Quebec 

☐ USA – Midwest 

☐ USA – North East 

☐ USA – South 

☐ USA – West 

☒ Western Canada 

☐ International 

Address 

If the exact location (i.e., address) for this position is unknown, or this position is for multiple locations, please leave the address information blank and provide information in the 'Job Location' field below (e.g., Los Angeles, New York). 

Address: 

Address: 

City: 

Edmonton 

Province/State: 

AB 

Postal/Zip Code: 

Country: 

Canada 

Job Location  

If Exact Address Unknown or Multiple Locations 

PLEASE NOTE: This position is located in Edmonton, Alberta and would require that students relocate for the duration of their term. 

Employment Location Arrangement* 

☒ In-person 

☐ Remote 

☐ Hybrid 

Additional Employment Arrangement Location Information 

Add any additional information about the employment location arrangement (e.g., if your job is remote but the student needs to be based in a certain location, if your job is hybrid and the student is expected to work certain days from certain locations or has flexibility to choose, etc.). Providing work location details helps students make informed decisions when applying. 

Max characters (including spaces): 10,000 

The successful candidate will be required to work in-person in the City of Edmonton offices in Edmonton, Alberta. The option for a hybrid work arrangement (with home office located in Edmonton) may be available and will be discussed during the interview process. 

Work Term Duration 

Work Term Duration* 

☐  4 month work term 

☒  8 month consecutive work term required 

☐  8 month consecutive work term preferred 

☐  2 work term commitment required 

☐  2 work term commitment preferred 

Special Work Term Start/End Date Considerations* 

Recommended work term dates (2026) 

  • Winter 2026: Jan 5 to Apr 24 

  • Spring 2026: May 11 to Aug 21 

  • Fall 2026: Sep 8 to Dec 23 

Max characters (including spaces): 10,000 

This is an 8-month work term. Please consult with your academic advisor prior to applying for the position to ensure that your program will allow for an 8-month work term (Spring – Fall, 2026).  

Anticipated start and end dates: May 11, 2026 – December 18, 2026. Some flexibility may be available and timing will be discussed during the interview process. 

Job Description 

Job Summary* 

This is your chance to get involved in challenging Information Technology (IT) activities that impact all of the City of Edmonton’s business areas! 

The Future Cities Institute (FCI), founded by CAIVAN at the University of Waterloo is committed to fostering healthy, prosperous cities and communities in Canada and beyond through interdisciplinary partnerships, action-oriented research, and data-informed decision-making. 

The City of Edmonton is one of the FCI’s core partners, and we are currently hiring 1 co-op student to work on projects that are priorities for both the FCI and the City of Edmonton for an 8-month work term beginning in May, 2026.  

The Geospatial Systems Analyst Co-op (Enterprise Geospatial Technology) at the City of Edmonton will work with the team to provide direct client support, application stabilization, enterprise GIS system administration, interactive web map development, and data rationalization.  

This is an excellent opportunity to gain practical experience in supporting enterprise geographic information systems (GIS), different aspects of a complex IT environment, and a wide variety of business processes and operational areas.  

This position focuses on building and supporting enterprise GIS technology rather than using GIS software to produce mapping or data analytics, so candidates should demonstrate experience in those areas. 

 
Please note: This position is located in Edmonton, Alberta. 

Job Responsibilities* 

The successful candidate’s responsibilities will:  

  • Assist with direct end-user support and minor enhancements, including triaging and resolving support requests 

  • Provide application development services to help improve operational activities 

  • Perform server upgrade and management functions to maintain operational capabilities 

  • Provide input on system and process improvements and automation 

  • Comprehend and interpret GIS business processes and workflows 

  • Update technical and procedural information related to geospatial application processes and support 

Required Skills* 

The successful candidate will demonstrate:  

  • Experience with programming languages such as JavaScript, Python, C#, and SQL 

  • Experience with relational databases and Windows Server administration 

  • Experience with GIS or geospatial solutions, such as ArcGIS Enterprise or ArcGIS Online, ArcGIS Pro, and FME 

  • Knowledge of web-service concepts, such as service-oriented architecture and interaction with REST APIs by HTTP 

  • Knowledge of interactive web map design concepts 

Transportation and Housing: 

This role requires that the successful candidate relocate to Edmonton, Alberta for the duration of the work term. It is the student’s responsibility to find their own housing and arrange/pay any travel costs. No additional financial support will be provided by the Future Cities Institute or the City of Edmonton. 

Additional Information:  

☐  Unrestricted Driver License 

☐  Own Transportation Required  

☐  Security Clearance Required 

☐  Hiring Preference – Canadian 

☐  Other (please specify) 

Pre-screening questions 

  1. This job is located in Edmonton, Alberta. You will be responsible for finding accommodation and arranging/paying for transportation. Are you willing to relocate to Edmonton for this role? (Y/N) 

  1. This position requires an 8-month consecutive work term commitment. Are you scheduled for an 8-month work term? (Y/N) 

  1. If you answered “no” to question 2: Have you checked with your Academic Advisor to see if you will be able to change your co-op sequence to fulfill this 8-month commitment? (Y/N) 

Compensation and Benefits* 

Salary: $28.00/hour 

Hours: 33.75 hours/week, Monday-Friday 

The Earned-Day-Off program (9-day compressed biweekly schedule to get 1 scheduled day off every 2 weeks) is available. Additional details will be provided during the interview process. 

In this role, you will accelerate your career by gaining hands-on experience with industry-standard enterprise tools. You will receive direct mentorship from senior technical leads, allowing you to build sophisticated experience that bridges custom development with enterprise geospatial infrastructure and database management.  

Preferred degrees/disciplines 

Targeted Degrees and Disciplines 

Thematic Clusters* (Choose 1) 

☐  Accounting and Auditing 

☐  Agricultural and Food Sciences 

☐  Architecture and Design 

☐  Business Administration 

☐  Computing: Hardware Development 

☒  Computing: Information Systems and Data Management 

☐  Computing: Software Development 

☐  Computing: Systems Support 

☐  Construction and Infrastructure Development 

☐  Cybersecurity and Cryptography 

☐  Data Science, Analytics, Reporting and Optimization 

☐  Digital and Graphic Media and Web Site Design 

☐  Environmental Management, Climate Change and Sustainability 

☐  Finance and Investment 

☐  Health Care: Therapy and Patient Care 

☐  Health Promotion and Workplace Safety 

☐  Human Resources 

☐  Insurance and Risk Management 

☐  Manufacturing and Process Engineering 

☐  Marketing and Communication 

☐  Pharmacy and Pharmaceuticals 

☐  Project and Process Management 

☐  Public Policy, Public Service and Government Relations 

☐  Recreation, Event Planning and Hospitality 

☐  Sales and Business Development 

☐  Scientific Experimental Design and Laboratory Assistance 

☐  Sport and Fitness 

☐  Supply Chain Management and Logistics 

☐  Transportation Planning and Transportation Engineering 

☐  Waste, Water and Materials Management 

Academic Clusters (Choose up to 5 *optional) 

ARTS 

☐  Economics 

☐  English Language and Literature 

☐  Fine and Performing Arts 

☐  Global Business and Digital Arts 

☐  Humanities 

☐  Languages and Cultures 

☐  Political Science 

☐  Social Sciences 

☐  Sociology and Legal Studies 

ARTS, ENVIRONMENT, MATH, SCIENCE 

☐  Chartered Professional Accounting 

ARTS, SCIENCE 

☐  Psychology 

ENGINEERING 

☐  Architectural Engineering 

☐  Architecture 

☐  Biomedical, Nanotechnology and Material Sciences 

☐  Chemical Engineering 

☐  Civil, Environmental and Geological Engineering 

☐  Electrical and Computer Engineering 

☐  Management Sciences 

☐  Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering 

☒  Software Engineering 

☒  Systems Design 

ENVIRONMENT 

☐  Business, Enterprise and Development 

☐  Environment, Resources and Sustainability 

☐  Geography and Environmental Management 

☒  Geomatics 

☐  Planning 

HEALTH 

☐  Kinesiology 

☐  Recreation and Leisure Studies 

☐  School of Public Health Sciences 

MATH 

☐  Applied Mathematics 

☐  Business 

☐  Combinatorics and Optimization 

☒  Computer Science 

☐  Computing and Financial Management 

☐  Pure Mathematics 

☐  Statistics and Actuarial Science 

☐  Teaching 

SCIENCE 

☐  Biological Sciences 

☐  Business 

☐  Chemical Sciences 

☐  Earth, Environmental and Geological Sciences 

☐  Pharmacy 

☐  Physics 

Application Information 

Application Documents Required* 

☒  University of Waterloo Co-op Work History 

☒  Cover Letter 

☒  Resume 

☒  Grade Report 

☐  Other – Per Job Posting 

Additional Application Information 

Application Method 

WaterlooWorks 

Future Cities Institute Research Assistant/Coder (Growth Management Project)

A black and yellow logo

Description automatically generated

Co-op Job Posting 

Future Cities Institute Research Assistant/Coder (Growth Management Project) 

SPRING 2026 

Supervisor: 

David Del Rey Fernandez, Matt Brehmer, Leia Minaker 

Interviewer(s): 

Company Information 

Organization* 

University of Waterloo 

Division* 

Future Cities Institute 

Primary job details 

Work Term* 

2026 - Spring 

Job Type* 

Co-op Main 

Job Title* 

Future Cities Institute Research Assistant/Coder (Growth Management Project) 

Number of Job Openings* 

Level* 

​​☐​ Junior 

​​☐​ Intermediate 

​​☒​ Senior 

Location information 

Region* 

​​☐​ Atlantic Canada 

​​☐​ ON – Bruce, Grey, Simcoe Region 

​​☐​ ON – Chatham-Kent, Essex, Lambton Region 

​​☐​ ON – Durham Region 

​​☐​ ON – Eastern Ontario  

​​☐​ ON – Halton Region 

​​☐​ ON – Hamilton, Niagara, Brant, Haldimand Region 

​​☐​ ON – Huron, Perth, Wellington, Dufferin Region 

​​☐​ ON – Kawartha, Haliburton, Peterborough Region 

​​☐​ ON – Muskoka, Parry Sound Region 

​​☐​ ON – Northern Ontario 

​​☐​ ON – Oxford, Middlesex, Norfolk, Elgin Region 

​​☐​ ON – Peel Region 

​​☐​ ON – Toronto 

​​☒​ ON – Waterloo Region 

​​☐​ ON – York Region 

​​☐​ National Capital Region – Ottawa, Gatineau 

​​☐​ Quebec 

​​☐​ USA – Midwest 

​​☐​ USA – North East 

​​☐​ USA – South 

​​☐​ USA – West 

​​☐​ Western Canada 

​​☐​ International 

Address 

Address: 

University of Waterloo (ENV-2003) 

Address: 

200 University Avenue West 

City: 

Waterloo 

Province/State: 

ON 

Postal/Zip Code: 

N2L 3G1 

Country: 

Canada 

Employment Location Arrangement* 

​​☐​ In-person 

​​☐​ Remote 

​​☒​ Hybrid 

Additional Employment Arrangement Location Information 

The selected candidate is expected to work in the office on the University of Waterloo main campus at least three days each week. Additional details will be provided during the interview process. 

Work Term Duration 

Work Term Duration* 

​​☒​  4 month work term 

​​☐​  8 month consecutive work term required 

​​☐​  8 month consecutive work term preferred 

​​☐​  2 work term commitment required 

​​☐​  2 work term commitment preferred 

Special Work Term Start/End Date Considerations* 

The work term will begin on May 11, 2026 and will end on August 28, 2026. 

Job Description 

Job Summary* 

Background:  The housing crisis in Canada is having devastating impacts on people and the economy. The biggest reason for the housing crisis is a lack of supply - there simply aren't enough homes to accommodate everyone, which is driving up prices and leading to homelessness. Part of the reason for a lack of housing is because municipalities' resources are stretched thin and they don't always have capacity to analyze where they should be putting housing developments. Many of the choices around where to put housing development is political, rather than based on evidence. 
 
Our interdisciplinary research team is working on a tool that will help to solve the housing crisis by helping municipalities identify which land would be most "developable" based on a diverse set of criteria. As a Research Assistant and Coder(RAC) on this project, you will be working under the supervision of Dr. David Del Rey Fernandez in Applied Mathand Dr. Matthew Brehmer in Computer Science, with support from Dr. Leia Minaker at the Future Cities Institute. We are looking for two senior students who should have strengths in one or more of the following areas: a strong coding background; full stack app development; skills and experience with GIS (geographic information systems) and spatial data; transportation or city infrastructure modeling; and data visualization. 
 
Job Summary:  As the RAC on this project, you will be involved in helping to create a software tool that will help municipalities to analyze available land according to several criteria (e.g., What are the environmental impacts of developing this type of housing in this land parcel? What is the waste water servicing capacity of this area? What is the cost of servicing this area? What is the development potential for this land based on existing zoning bylaws?).  

In addition, you will:  

  • need to be creative and self-starting, 

  • need to communicate with an interdisciplinary team, including external stakeholders like developers and urban planners 

  • have strong supervision and support but will have a chance to demonstrate your own creativity and initiative as well. 

In this role, you will have the opportunity to work on a project that we anticipate will have a big impact on society. We are going to be working with at least three cities to pilot test the tool and there are many students and partners associated with the Future Cities Institute that you can collaborate with. 

We want to support your career aspirations and work with you to make an important difference in the lives of Canadians by helping cities improve how quickly they build housing. 

Job Responsibilities* 

Timeline: This full-time RAC position is for a 4-month period. 

 
Tasks: Specific tasks will be identified when you begin in May 2026 based on where the current cohort of co-op students leaves off.  

 
In general, there will be aspects of data management and wrangling, coding and analysis, and likely working with GIS to create maps of "developable" land parcels. 

Required Skills* 

Required: The successful candidate will be a 3rd- or 4th-year (as of May 2026) student with at least one of the following: 

  • a strong coding background;  

  • experience with full stack app development;  

  • skills and experience with GIS (geographic information systems) and spatial data analysis;  

  • transportation or city infrastructure modeling; and/or data visualization.  

These skills should be evidenced by coursework and/or practical experience. The successful candidate should be comfortable conducting data analysis in R, python or other comparable software and developing interactive dashboards or visual analytics interfaces that will allow stakeholders to ask their own questions of the data and to share their findings with their peers. 
 
Nice-to-have: Previous experience working with datasets from multiple sources would be an asset. Experience working with GIS/geospatial data (e.g., ArcGIS software) is also an asset. Previous working experience with web-based front-end development frameworks (e.g., React, Vue, Svelte) and data visualization libraries (e.g., d3.js, Vega) are also valuable assets. 
 
Education: As noted above, the successful candidate will be a 3rd- or 4th-year student with a strong quantitative background (e.g., Faculties of Math, Engineering, or Department of Economics). 

Transportation and Housing: 

Additional Information:  

​​☐​  Unrestricted Driver License 

​​☐​  Own Transportation Required  

​​☐​  Security Clearance Required 

​​☐​  Hiring Preference – Canadian 

​​☐​  Other (please specify) 

Compensation and Benefits* 

This full-time RAC position will be compensated at a rate of $27.50/hour. 

 
For those interested in a career in research, this position may offer you the chance to grow your skills and CV. This might include contributing as a co-author to academic publications, as well as presenting research to stakeholders/grant partners/etc. These benefits depend on the interests of the student, and could lead to longer-term collaboration beyond the 4-month co-op term. Because of our interdisciplinary team and our work with external stakeholders, you will also have a chance to build your network with different sectors (city planning, municipal governments, land developers, private consulting) to explore other career options. The Future Cities Institute will also support your career growth and provide additional opportunities to be involved with interesting events and activities. 

Preferred degrees/disciplines 

Targeted Degrees and Disciplines 

Thematic Clusters* (Choose 1) 

​​☐​  Accounting and Auditing 

​​☐​  Agricultural and Food Sciences 

​​☐​  Architecture and Design 

​​☐​  Business Administration 

​​☐​  Computing: Hardware Development 

​​☐​  Computing: Information Systems and Data Management 

​​☐​  Computing: Software Development 

​​☐​  Computing: Systems Support 

​​☐​  Construction and Infrastructure Development 

​​☐​  Cybersecurity and Cryptography 

​​☒​  Data Science, Analytics, Reporting and Optimization 

​​☐​  Digital and Graphic Media and Web Site Design 

​​☐​  Environmental Management, Climate Change and Sustainability 

​​☐​  Finance and Investment 

​​☐​  Health Care: Therapy and Patient Care 

​​☐​  Health Promotion and Workplace Safety 

​​☐​  Human Resources 

​​☐​  Insurance and Risk Management 

​​☐​  Manufacturing and Process Engineering 

​​☐​  Marketing and Communication 

​​☐​  Pharmacy and Pharmaceuticals 

​​☐​  Project and Process Management 

​​☐​  Public Policy, Public Service and Government Relations 

​​☐​  Recreation, Event Planning and Hospitality 

​​☐​  Sales and Business Development 

​​☐​  Scientific Experimental Design and Laboratory Assistance 

​​☐​  Sport and Fitness 

​​☐​  Supply Chain Management and Logistics 

​​☐​  Transportation Planning and Transportation Engineering 

​​☐​  Waste, Water and Materials Management 

Academic Clusters (Choose up to 5 *optional) 

ARTS 

​​☒​  Economics 

​​☐​  English Language and Literature 

​​☐​  Fine and Performing Arts 

​​☐​  Global Business and Digital Arts 

​​☐​  Humanities 

​​☐​  Languages and Cultures 

​​☐​  Political Science 

​​☐​  Social Sciences 

​​☐​  Sociology and Legal Studies 

ARTS, ENVIRONMENT, MATH, SCIENCE 

​​☐​  Chartered Professional Accounting 

ARTS, SCIENCE 

​​☐​  Psychology 

ENGINEERING 

​​☐​  Architectural Engineering 

​​☐​  Architecture 

​​☐​  Biomedical, Nanotechnology and Material Sciences 

​​☐​  Chemical Engineering 

​​☐​  Civil, Environmental and Geological Engineering 

​​☐​  Electrical and Computer Engineering 

​​☐​  Management Sciences 

​​☐​  Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering 

​​☒​  Software Engineering 

​​☐​  Systems Design 

ENVIRONMENT 

​​☐​  Business, Enterprise and Development 

​​☐​  Environment, Resources and Sustainability 

​​☐​  Geography and Environmental Management 

​​☐​  Geomatics 

​​☐​  Planning 

HEALTH 

​​☐​  Kinesiology 

​​☐​  Recreation and Leisure Studies 

​​☐​  School of Public Health Sciences 

MATH 

​​☒​  Applied Mathematics 

​​☐​  Business 

​​☐​  Combinatorics and Optimization 

​​☒​  Computer Science 

​​☐​  Computing and Financial Management 

​​☐​  Pure Mathematics 

​​☒​  Statistics and Actuarial Science 

​​☐​  Teaching 

SCIENCE 

​​☐​  Biological Sciences 

​​☐​  Business 

​​☐​  Chemical Sciences 

​​☐​  Earth, Environmental and Geological Sciences 

​​☐​  Pharmacy 

​​☐​  Physics 

Application Information 

Application Documents Required* 

​​☐​  University of Waterloo Co-op Work History 

​​☐​  Cover Letter 

​​☐​  Resume 

​​☐​  Grade Report 

​​☐​  Other – Per Job Posting 

Additional Application Information 

In this role, you will have the opportunity to work on a project that we anticipate to make a big impact in society. We are going to be working with at least 3 cities to pilot test the tool (including Iqaluit, Nunavut!) and there are many students and partners associated with the Future Cities Institute that you can meet and collaborate with. 
 
We want to support your career aspirations and work with you to make an important difference in the lives of Canadians by helping cities improve how quickly they build housing. 

Application Method 

WaterlooWorks 

Future Cities Institute Research Assistant (Habitat for Humanity Partnership)

A black and yellow logo

Description automatically generated

Co-op Job Posting 

Future Cities Institute Research Assistant (Habitat for Humanity Partnership) 

SPRING 2026 

Supervisor: 

Leia Minaker 

Company Information 

Organization* 

University of Waterloo 

Division* 

Future Cities Institute 

Primary job details 

Work Term* 

2026 - Spring 

Job Type* 

Co-op Main 

Job Title* 

Future Cities Institute Research Assistant (Habitat for Humanities Partnership) 

Number of Job Openings* 

Level* 

​​☐​ Junior 

​​☒​ Intermediate 

​​☒​ Senior 

Location information 

Region* 

​​☐​ Atlantic Canada 

​​☐​ ON – Bruce, Grey, Simcoe Region 

​​☐​ ON – Chatham-Kent, Essex, Lambton Region 

​​☐​ ON – Durham Region 

​​☐​ ON – Eastern Ontario  

​​☐​ ON – Halton Region 

​​☐​ ON – Hamilton, Niagara, Brant, Haldimand Region 

​​☐​ ON – Huron, Perth, Wellington, Dufferin Region 

​​☐​ ON – Kawartha, Haliburton, Peterborough Region 

​​☐​ ON – Muskoka, Parry Sound Region 

​​☐​ ON – Northern Ontario 

​​☐​ ON – Oxford, Middlesex, Norfolk, Elgin Region 

​​☐​ ON – Peel Region 

​​☐​ ON – Toronto 

​​☒​ ON – Waterloo Region 

​​☐​ ON – York Region 

​​☐​ National Capital Region – Ottawa, Gatineau 

​​☐​ Quebec 

​​☐​ USA – Midwest 

​​☐​ USA – North East 

​​☐​ USA – South 

​​☐​ USA – West 

​​☐​ Western Canada 

​​☐​ International 

Address 

Address: 

University of Waterloo (ENV-2003) 

Address: 

200 University Avenue West 

City: 

Waterloo 

Province/State: 

ON 

Postal/Zip Code: 

N2L 3G1 

Country: 

Canada 

Employment Location Arrangement* 

​​☐​ In-person 

​​☐​ Remote 

​​☒​ Hybrid 

Additional Employment Arrangement Location Information 

The selected candidate is expected to work in the office on the University of Waterloo main campus at least three days each week. Additional details will be provided during the interview process. 

Work Term Duration 

Work Term Duration* 

​​☐​  4 month work term 

​​☐​  8 month consecutive work term required 

​​☒​  8 month consecutive work term preferred 

​​☐​  2 work term commitment required 

​​☐​  2 work term commitment preferred 

Special Work Term Start/End Date Considerations* 

We are looking for a minimum 4-month work term, with preference for an 8-month term. 

The work term will begin on May 11, 2026 and will end on either August 28, 2026 or December 18, 2026 (depending on whether the successful candidate is available for a 4-month or 8-month term). 

Job Description 

Job Summary* 

Habitat for Humanity and the Future Cities Institute at the University of Waterloo are partnering to bring a unique and impactful co-op job experience! 
 
Habitat for Humanity has partnered with the City of Waterloo, private developers, and the Future Cities Institute (FCI) among others to launch the ambitious Build Now Waterloo Region project (https://buildnowwr.ca/). This initiative aims to bring 10,000 new attainable and affordable housing units to our region in the next 5 years using an innovative mechanism for affordable home ownership. The Build Now team (including Habitat and FCI) are looking for a student to help with impact-oriented research on this initiative. 
 
Specific research projects will evolve over time with input from all Build Now partners, but possibilities include: 

  • Documenting the process of a multi-sector collaboration to build affordable homes for ownership 

  • Producing tools and products (e.g., infographics, etc) to share knowledge about the process 

In this co-op position, you will be part of a dynamic multi-sector team focused on solving Canada's housing crisis. You will put your skills in data, GIS, architecture, engineering, finance, economics, or urban planning to use in contributing to solutions that will increase affordable home ownership. 

Job Responsibilities* 

Timeline: This full-time position is for an 8-month term, with exceptional candidates being considered for a 4-month term. Note: There may be opportunities to be involved with this work beyond the co-op work term (please see Compensation and Benefits section below), should you be interested in this work/project. 
 
Tasks: As the full-time Research Assistant on this project, you will report directly to the FCI Director, Dr. Leia Minaker. As noted, your work will align with your existing skills in data, GIS, architecture, engineering, finance, economics, or urban planning and your project will be co-created with the Build Now team. The focus is developing a product that will help move the needle on housing affordability in Canada. 
 
You will be expected to communicate and present your findings to external partners, including Habitat for Humanity, private developers, construction associations, and municipalities. There may also be an opportunity to presentat conferences. 

Required Skills* 

Required: The successful candidate will be a 3rd- or 4th-year (as of Spring 2026) student with a strong background in one of the fields noted above (data, GIS, architecture, engineering, finance, economics, or urban planning) as evidenced by coursework or practical experience. The preferred candidate will be comfortable with communicating with external partners and effective at explaining their work. 

Transportation and Housing: 

Additional Information:  

​​☐​  Unrestricted Driver License 

​​☐​  Own Transportation Required  

​​☐​  Security Clearance Required 

​​☐​  Hiring Preference – Canadian 

​​☐​  Other (please specify) 

Compensation and Benefits* 

This full-time RA position will be compensated at a rate of $23.50/hour. 

 
For those interested in a career in research, this position may offer you the chance to grow your skills and CV. This might include contributing as a co-author to academic publications, as well as presenting research to stakeholders/grant partners/etc. These benefits depend on the interests of the student, and could lead to longer-term collaboration beyond the initial co-op work term. 

Because of our interdisciplinary team and our work with external stakeholders, you will also have a chance to build your network with different sectors (city planning, municipal governments, land developers, private consulting) to explore other career options. The Future Cities Institute will also support your career growth and provide additional opportunities to be involved with interesting events and activities. 

Preferred degrees/disciplines 

Targeted Degrees and Disciplines 

Thematic Clusters* (Choose 1) 

​​☐​  Accounting and Auditing 

​​☐​  Agricultural and Food Sciences 

​​☐​  Architecture and Design 

​​☐​  Business Administration 

​​☐​  Computing: Hardware Development 

​​☐​  Computing: Information Systems and Data Management 

​​☐​  Computing: Software Development 

​​☐​  Computing: Systems Support 

​​☐​  Construction and Infrastructure Development 

​​☐​  Cybersecurity and Cryptography 

​​☒​  Data Science, Analytics, Reporting and Optimization 

​​☐​  Digital and Graphic Media and Web Site Design 

​​☐​  Environmental Management, Climate Change and Sustainability 

​​☐​  Finance and Investment 

​​☐​  Health Care: Therapy and Patient Care 

​​☐​  Health Promotion and Workplace Safety 

​​☐​  Human Resources 

​​☐​  Insurance and Risk Management 

​​☐​  Manufacturing and Process Engineering 

​​☐​  Marketing and Communication 

​​☐​  Pharmacy and Pharmaceuticals 

​​☐​  Project and Process Management 

​​☐​  Public Policy, Public Service and Government Relations 

​​☐​  Recreation, Event Planning and Hospitality 

​​☐​  Sales and Business Development 

​​☐​  Scientific Experimental Design and Laboratory Assistance 

​​☐​  Sport and Fitness 

​​☐​  Supply Chain Management and Logistics 

​​☐​  Transportation Planning and Transportation Engineering 

​​☐​  Waste, Water and Materials Management 

Academic Clusters (Choose up to 5 *optional) 

ARTS 

​​☒​  Economics 

​​☐​  English Language and Literature 

​​☐​  Fine and Performing Arts 

​​☐​  Global Business and Digital Arts 

​​☐​  Humanities 

​​☐​  Languages and Cultures 

​​☐​  Political Science 

​​☐​  Social Sciences 

​​☐​  Sociology and Legal Studies 

ARTS, ENVIRONMENT, MATH, SCIENCE 

​​☐​  Chartered Professional Accounting 

ARTS, SCIENCE 

​​☐​  Psychology 

ENGINEERING 

​​☐​  Architectural Engineering 

​​☐​  Architecture 

​​☐​  Biomedical, Nanotechnology and Material Sciences 

​​☐​  Chemical Engineering 

​​☒​  Civil, Environmental and Geological Engineering 

​​☐​  Electrical and Computer Engineering 

​​☒​  Management Sciences 

​​☐​  Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering 

​​☐​  Software Engineering 

​​☐​  Systems Design 

ENVIRONMENT 

​​☐​  Business, Enterprise and Development 

​​☒​  Environment, Resources and Sustainability 

​​☐​  Geography and Environmental Management 

​​☐​  Geomatics 

​​☒​  Planning 

HEALTH 

​​☐​  Kinesiology 

​​☐​  Recreation and Leisure Studies 

​​☐​  School of Public Health Sciences 

MATH 

​​☐​  Applied Mathematics 

​​☐​  Business 

​​☐​  Combinatorics and Optimization 

​​☐​  Computer Science 

​​☐​  Computing and Financial Management 

​​☐​  Pure Mathematics 

​​☐​  Statistics and Actuarial Science 

​​☐​  Teaching 

SCIENCE 

​​☐​  Biological Sciences 

​​☐​  Business 

​​☐​  Chemical Sciences 

​​☐​  Earth, Environmental and Geological Sciences 

​​☐​  Pharmacy 

​​☐​  Physics 

Application Information 

Application Documents Required* 

​​☒​  University of Waterloo Co-op Work History 

​​☒​  Cover Letter 

​​☒​  Resume 

​​☒​  Grade Report 

​​☐​  Other – Per Job Posting 

Application Method 

WaterlooWorks 

Future Cities Institute Research Assistant (Process Mapping Project)

A black and yellow logo

Description automatically generated

Co-op Job Posting 

Future Cities Institute Research Assistant (Process Mapping Project) 

SPRING 2026 

Supervisor: 

Joyce Kim  (primary); Leia Minaker,  Fatma Gzara (supports) 

Interviewer(s): 

Company Information 

Organization* 

University of Waterloo 

Division* 

Future Cities Institute 

Primary job details 

Work Term* 

2026 - Spring 

Job Type* 

Co-op Main 

Job Title* 

Future Cities Institute Research Assistant (Process Mapping Project) 

Number of Job Openings* 

Level* 

​​☐​ Junior 

​​☒​ Intermediate 

​​☒​ Senior 

Location information 

Region* 

​​☐​ Atlantic Canada 

​​☐​ ON – Bruce, Grey, Simcoe Region 

​​☐​ ON – Chatham-Kent, Essex, Lambton Region 

​​☐​ ON – Durham Region 

​​☐​ ON – Eastern Ontario  

​​☐​ ON – Halton Region 

​​☐​ ON – Hamilton, Niagara, Brant, Haldimand Region 

​​☐​ ON – Huron, Perth, Wellington, Dufferin Region 

​​☐​ ON – Kawartha, Haliburton, Peterborough Region 

​​☐​ ON – Muskoka, Parry Sound Region 

​​☐​ ON – Northern Ontario 

​​☐​ ON – Oxford, Middlesex, Norfolk, Elgin Region 

​​☐​ ON – Peel Region 

​​☐​ ON – Toronto 

​​☒​ ON – Waterloo Region 

​​☐​ ON – York Region 

​​☐​ National Capital Region – Ottawa, Gatineau 

​​☐​ Quebec 

​​☐​ USA – Midwest 

​​☐​ USA – North East 

​​☐​ USA – South 

​​☐​ USA – West 

​​☐​ Western Canada 

​​☐​ International 

Address 

Address: 

University of Waterloo (ENV-2003) 

Address: 

200 University Avenue West 

City: 

Waterloo 

Province/State: 

ON 

Postal/Zip Code: 

N2L 3G1 

Country: 

Canada 

Employment Location Arrangement* 

​​☐​ In-person 

​​☐​ Remote 

​​☒​ Hybrid 

Additional Employment Arrangement Location Information 

The selected candidate is expected to work in the office on the University of Waterloo main campus at least three days each week. Additional details will be provided during the interview process. 

Work Term Duration 

Work Term Duration* 

​​☐​  4 month work term 

​​☐​  8 month consecutive work term required 

​​☒​  8 month consecutive work term preferred 

​​☐​  2 work term commitment required 

​​☐​  2 work term commitment preferred 

Special Work Term Start/End Date Considerations* 

The work term will begin on May 11, 2026 and will end oneither August 28, 2026 or December 18, 2026 (depending on whether the successful candidate is available for a 4-month or 8-month term).  

Job Description 

Job Summary* 

Municipal land development processes vary dramatically across jurisdictions, creating significant barriers for prefabricated housing developers working across municipalities. These processes have evolved in silos over decades, with city departments often operating without effective coordination.  

This project specifically addresses the digitalization of approval workflows by integrating BIM-based project data and technical documentation with an automated compliance checking framework. The successful candidate will analyze standardized project delivery data to establish performance benchmarks and support the development of a digital Proof of Concept (PoC) for accelerated approvals.  
This project focuses on three primary objectives: 

  1. Quantitative process optimization using BIM-based project datasets 

  1. Harmonization of multi-disciplinary project documentation (Site, Arch, MEP, Technical/environmentalreports, etc.) for municipal review 

  1. Identificaiton of optimization paths for offsite construction approval pathways 

Job Responsibilities* 

The key job responsibilities for this project include (but are not limited to): 

Project Data Integration  

  • Collect and integrate BIM-based data alongside a comprehensive suite of design and planning documentation (e.g., Site, Arch, MEP, technical reports, planning justifications) to establish real-world performance benchmarks.  

  • Review municipal permit requirements against the full project submittal package to document required steps, timelines, and approval pathways.  

  • Conduct systematic analysis of process variations across multi-disciplinary datasets to identify best practices and bottlenecks.  

  • Categorize delays using lean management principles (waiting, rework, over-processing) based on historical project documentation.  

Digital Framework and PoC 

  • Collaborate with the research team to provide the quantitative data inputs required to develop a digital framework for automated permit review.  

  • Execute technical validation tasks by mapping planning, engineering, and construction requirements to municipal compliance checklists.  

  • Test and document specific optimization paths for the digital Proof of Concept (PoC) based on identifiedprocedural bottlenecks.  

  • Ensure all technical data, datasets, and validation results are synthesized to support the final research report and project deliverables. 
     
     

Required Skills* 

The successful candidate will be currently enrolled in UW’s Architectural Engineering, Civil Engineering, Management Science and Engineering, or equivalent.  

The successful candidate MUST have familiarity with the following AEC-related skills and software:  

  • BIM and CAD Software: Proficiency in Revit, Rhino, Dynamo, and AutoCAD is required.  

  • Interpretation of multi-disciplinary project documentation, including Architectural (ARCH), Mechanical/Electrical/Plumbing (MEP), Site design, and associated technical reports (e.g., Geotechnical, Environmental, Planning, and Building Specifications).  

  • Knowledge of the municipal permit application package and standard building project delivery workflows.  

Preferred Technical Assets:  

  • Programming: Proficiency in Python for data analysis or computational BIM scripting is a significant asset.  

  • Familiarity with digital data structures and semantic enrichment for automated compliance checking.  

  • Value Stream Mapping and Journey Documentation.  

  • Lean Management Principles and Comparative Bottleneck Analysis. 

Additional Information:  

​​☐​  Unrestricted Driver License 

​​☐​  Own Transportation Required  

​​☐​  Security Clearance Required 

​​☐​  Hiring Preference – Canadian 

​​☐​  Other (please specify) 

Compensation and Benefits* 

This full-time Research Assistant position will be compensated at a rate of $27.50/hour. 

 
For those interested in a career in research, this position may offer you the chance to grow your skills and CV. This might include contributing as a co-author to academic publications, as well as presenting research to stakeholders/grant partners/etc. These benefits depend on the interests of the student, and could lead to longer-term collaboration beyond the 4-month co-op term. Because of our interdisciplinary team and our work with external stakeholders, you will also have a chance to build your network with different sectors (city planning, municipal governments, land developers, private consulting) to explore other career options. The Future Cities Institute will also support your career growth and provide additional opportunities to be involved with interesting events and activities. 

Preferred degrees/disciplines 

Targeted Degrees and Disciplines 

Thematic Clusters* (Choose 1) 

​​☐​  Accounting and Auditing 

​​☐​  Agricultural and Food Sciences 

​​☐​  Architecture and Design 

​​☐​  Business Administration 

​​☐​  Computing: Hardware Development 

​​☒​  Computing: Information Systems and Data Management 

​​☐​  Computing: Software Development 

​​☐​  Computing: Systems Support 

​​☒​  Construction and Infrastructure Development 

​​☐​  Cybersecurity and Cryptography 

​​☒​  Data Science, Analytics, Reporting and Optimization 

​​☐​  Digital and Graphic Media and Web Site Design 

​​☐​  Environmental Management, Climate Change and Sustainability 

​​☐​  Finance and Investment 

​​☐​  Health Care: Therapy and Patient Care 

​​☐​  Health Promotion and Workplace Safety 

​​☐​  Human Resources 

​​☐​  Insurance and Risk Management 

​​☐​  Manufacturing and Process Engineering 

​​☐​  Marketing and Communication 

​​☐​  Pharmacy and Pharmaceuticals 

​​☐​  Project and Process Management 

​​☐​  Public Policy, Public Service and Government Relations 

​​☐​  Recreation, Event Planning and Hospitality 

​​☐​  Sales and Business Development 

​​☐​  Scientific Experimental Design and Laboratory Assistance 

​​☐​  Sport and Fitness 

​​☐​  Supply Chain Management and Logistics 

​​☐​  Transportation Planning and Transportation Engineering 

​​☐​  Waste, Water and Materials Management 

Academic Clusters (Choose up to 5 *optional) 

ARTS 

​​☐​  Economics 

​​☐​  English Language and Literature 

​​☐​  Fine and Performing Arts 

​​☐​  Global Business and Digital Arts 

​​☐​  Humanities 

​​☐​  Languages and Cultures 

​​☐​  Political Science 

​​☐​  Social Sciences 

​​☐​  Sociology and Legal Studies 

ARTS, ENVIRONMENT, MATH, SCIENCE 

​​☐​  Chartered Professional Accounting 

ARTS, SCIENCE 

​​☐​  Psychology 

ENGINEERING 

​​☒​  Architectural Engineering 

​​☐​  Architecture 

​​☐​  Biomedical, Nanotechnology and Material Sciences 

​​☐​  Chemical Engineering 

​​☒​  Civil, Environmental and Geological Engineering 

​​☐​  Electrical and Computer Engineering 

​​☐​  Management Sciences 

​​☐​  Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering 

​​☐​  Software Engineering 

​​☐​  Systems Design 

ENVIRONMENT 

​​☐​  Business, Enterprise and Development 

​​☐​  Environment, Resources and Sustainability 

​​☐​  Geography and Environmental Management 

​​☐​  Geomatics 

​​☐​  Planning 

HEALTH 

​​☐​  Kinesiology 

​​☐​  Recreation and Leisure Studies 

​​☐​  School of Public Health Sciences 

MATH 

​​☐​  Applied Mathematics 

​​☐​  Business 

​​☐​  Combinatorics and Optimization 

​​☐​  Computer Science 

​​☐​  Computing and Financial Management 

​​☐​  Pure Mathematics 

​​☐​  Statistics and Actuarial Science 

​​☐​  Teaching 

SCIENCE 

​​☐​  Biological Sciences 

​​☐​  Business 

​​☐​  Chemical Sciences 

​​☐​  Earth, Environmental and Geological Sciences 

​​☐​  Pharmacy 

​​☐​  Physics 

Application Information 

Application Documents Required* 

​​☒​  University of Waterloo Co-op Work History 

​​☒​  Cover Letter 

​​☒​  Resume 

​​☒​  Grade Report 

​​☐​  Other – Per Job Posting 

Application Method 

WaterlooWorks 

Future Cities Institute Student Developer (AI-ML Tools for Community Economic Development)

A black and yellow logo

Description automatically generated

Co-op Job Posting 

Future Cities Institute Student Developer (AI-ML Tools for Community Economic Development) 

SPRIN 2026 

Supervisor: 

Eryn Stewart 

Interviewer(s): 

Company Information 

Organization* 

University of Waterloo 

Division* 

Future Cities Institute 

Primary job details 

Work Term* 

Year - Term 

Job Type* 

Co-op Main 

Job Title* 

Future Cities Institute Student Developer (AI-ML Tools for Community Economic Development) 

Number of Job Openings* 

Level* 

​​☐​ Junior 

​​☒​ Intermediate 

​​☒​ Senior 

Location information 

Region* 

​​☐​ Atlantic Canada 

​​☐​ ON – Bruce, Grey, Simcoe Region 

​​☐​ ON – Chatham-Kent, Essex, Lambton Region 

​​☐​ ON – Durham Region 

​​☐​ ON – Eastern Ontario  

​​☐​ ON – Halton Region 

​​☐​ ON – Hamilton, Niagara, Brant, Haldimand Region 

​​☐​ ON – Huron, Perth, Wellington, Dufferin Region 

​​☐​ ON – Kawartha, Haliburton, Peterborough Region 

​​☐​ ON – Muskoka, Parry Sound Region 

​​☐​ ON – Northern Ontario 

​​☐​ ON – Oxford, Middlesex, Norfolk, Elgin Region 

​​☐​ ON – Peel Region 

​​☐​ ON – Toronto 

​​☒​ ON – Waterloo Region 

​​☐​ ON – York Region 

​​☐​ National Capital Region – Ottawa, Gatineau 

​​☐​ Quebec 

​​☐​ USA – Midwest 

​​☐​ USA – North East 

​​☐​ USA – South 

​​☐​ USA – West 

​​☐​ Western Canada 

​​☐​ International 

Address 

Address: 

University of Waterloo (ENV-2003) 

Address: 

200 University Avenue West 

City: 

Waterloo 

Province/State: 

ON 

Postal/Zip Code: 

N2L 3G1 

Country: 

Canada 

Employment Location Arrangement* 

​​☐​ In-person 

​​☐​ Remote 

​​☒​ Hybrid 

Additional Employment Arrangement Location Information 

The selected candidate is expected to work in the office on the University of Waterloo main campus at least three days each week. Additional details will be provided during the interview process. 

Work Term Duration 

Work Term Duration* 

​​☒​  4 month work term 

​​☐​  8 month consecutive work term required 

​​☐​  8 month consecutive work term preferred 

​​☐​  2 work term commitment required 

​​☐​  2 work term commitment preferred 

Special Work Term Start/End Date Considerations* 

The work term will begin on May 11, 2026 and will end on August 28, 2026. 

Job Description 

Job Summary* 

This is an exciting opportunity for a student developer to apply their programming and AI/ML expertise to projects that directly support community development in the Canadian North! 

 
The Student Developer (AI/ML Tools for Community Economic Development) will help design and build innovative digital tools in partnership with the Nunavut Economic Developers Association (NEDA) and the University of Waterloo's Future Cities Institute (FCI). 
 
The successful candidate will work on two applied projects: 

  1. An AI-powered Community Economic Development (CED) Planning Tool that generates culturally aligned economic development plans using Statistics Canada data and community surveys. 

  1. An AI/ML-powered Grant & Proposal Writing Tool that enables communities to independently create funding applications aligned with Inuit priorities and perspectives. 

This position offers the chance to work with academic researchers, Indigenous leaders, and community partners. The role may also involve travel to Nunavut for up to one week, providing a unique hands-on experience to engage with Northern communities and test prototypes in real-world settings! 

Job Responsibilities* 

  • Design and prototype web-based applications and interactive dashboards for the CED planning and grant writing tools. 

  • Integrate AI/ML features such as natural language processing (NLP), predictive analytics, and recommendation systems. 

  • Build workflows for integrating datasets, survey responses, and municipal data. 

  • Ensure user-centered design that prioritizes accessibility, cultural relevance, and ease of use for Economic Development Officers (EDOs). 

  • Conduct pilot testing with community partners and iterate based on feedback. 

  • Collaborate with FCI researchers, graduate students, and community stakeholders. 

  • Prepare documentation, code repositories, and training resources for long-term use and scalability. 

Required Skills* 

Required Skills: 

  • Strong programming skills in Python, JavaScript, or R; 

  • Familiarity with machine learning frameworks and NLP libraries 

  • Experience with data visualization and interactive dashboards 

  • Understanding of databases, APIs, and version control tools (SQL, GitHub). 

  • Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to work independently and in a team setting. 

  • Excellent communication and organizational skills. 

Preferred Skills: 

  • Experience in survey data integration and visualization. 

  • Knowledge of ethical AI practices and cultural considerations in Indigenous contexts. 

  • Previous experience with applied research, capstone projects, or hackathons. 

Additional Information:  

​​☐​  Unrestricted Driver License 

​​☐​  Own Transportation Required  

​​☐​  Security Clearance Required 

​​☐​  Hiring Preference – Canadian 

​​☐​  Other (please specify) 

Compensation and Benefits* 

This full-time Student Developer position will be compensated at a rate of $28.00/hour. 

As part of our team, the candidate will gain hands-on experience applying AI/ML to real-world challenges, while working with academic experts, Indigenous leaders, and community partners. The role offers valuable professional development in software engineering, AI integration, and knowledge mobilization, as well as the opportunity to contribute to tools that will be piloted in Nunavut municipalities. 

 
For those interested in a career in research, this position may offer you the chance to grow your skills and CV. This might include contributing as a co-author to academic publications, as well as presenting research to stakeholders/grant partners/etc. These benefits depend on the interests of the student, and could lead to longer-term collaboration beyond the 4-month co-op term. Because of our interdisciplinary team and our work with external stakeholders, you will also have a chance to build your network with different sectors (city planning, municipal governments, land developers, private consulting) to explore other career options. The Future Cities Institute will also support your career growth and provide additional opportunities to be involved with interesting events and activities. 

Preferred degrees/disciplines 

Targeted Degrees and Disciplines 

Thematic Clusters* (Choose 1) 

​​☐​  Accounting and Auditing 

​​☐​  Agricultural and Food Sciences 

​​☐​  Architecture and Design 

​​☐​  Business Administration 

​​☐​  Computing: Hardware Development 

​​☐​  Computing: Information Systems and Data Management 

​​☐​  Computing: Software Development 

​​☐​  Computing: Systems Support 

​​☐​  Construction and Infrastructure Development 

​​☐​  Cybersecurity and Cryptography 

​​☒​  Data Science, Analytics, Reporting and Optimization 

​​☐​  Digital and Graphic Media and Web Site Design 

​​☐​  Environmental Management, Climate Change and Sustainability 

​​☐​  Finance and Investment 

​​☐​  Health Care: Therapy and Patient Care 

​​☐​  Health Promotion and Workplace Safety 

​​☐​  Human Resources 

​​☐​  Insurance and Risk Management 

​​☐​  Manufacturing and Process Engineering 

​​☐​  Marketing and Communication 

​​☐​  Pharmacy and Pharmaceuticals 

​​☐​  Project and Process Management 

​​☐​  Public Policy, Public Service and Government Relations 

​​☐​  Recreation, Event Planning and Hospitality 

​​☐​  Sales and Business Development 

​​☐​  Scientific Experimental Design and Laboratory Assistance 

​​☐​  Sport and Fitness 

​​☐​  Supply Chain Management and Logistics 

​​☐​  Transportation Planning and Transportation Engineering 

​​☐​  Waste, Water and Materials Management 

Academic Clusters (Choose up to 5 *optional) 

ARTS 

​​☐​  Economics 

​​☐​  English Language and Literature 

​​☐​  Fine and Performing Arts 

​​☐​  Global Business and Digital Arts 

​​☐​  Humanities 

​​☐​  Languages and Cultures 

​​☐​  Political Science 

​​☐​  Social Sciences 

​​☐​  Sociology and Legal Studies 

ARTS, ENVIRONMENT, MATH, SCIENCE 

​​☐​  Chartered Professional Accounting 

ARTS, SCIENCE 

​​☐​  Psychology 

ENGINEERING 

​​☐​  Architectural Engineering 

​​☐​  Architecture 

​​☐​  Biomedical, Nanotechnology and Material Sciences 

​​☐​  Chemical Engineering 

​​☐​  Civil, Environmental and Geological Engineering 

​​☐​  Electrical and Computer Engineering 

​​☐​  Management Sciences 

​​☐​  Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering 

​​☒​  Software Engineering 

​​☒​  Systems Design 

ENVIRONMENT 

​​☐​  Business, Enterprise and Development 

​​☐​  Environment, Resources and Sustainability 

​​☐​  Geography and Environmental Management 

​​☐​  Geomatics 

​​☐​  Planning 

HEALTH 

​​☐​  Kinesiology 

​​☐​  Recreation and Leisure Studies 

​​☐​  School of Public Health Sciences 

MATH 

​​☒​  Applied Mathematics 

​​☐​  Business 

​​☐​  Combinatorics and Optimization 

​​☒​  Computer Science 

​​☐​  Computing and Financial Management 

​​☐​  Pure Mathematics 

​​☐​  Statistics and Actuarial Science 

​​☐​  Teaching 

SCIENCE 

​​☐​  Biological Sciences 

​​☐​  Business 

​​☐​  Chemical Sciences 

​​☐​  Earth, Environmental and Geological Sciences 

​​☐​  Pharmacy 

​​☐​  Physics 

Application Information 

Application Documents Required* 

​​☒​  University of Waterloo Co-op Work History 

​​☒​  Cover Letter 

​​☒​  Resume 

​​☒​  Grade Report 

​​☐​  Other – Per Job Posting