Emerging scholars. Cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research.
The Provost’s Program for Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Scholars provides funding to emerging scholars who are prepared to engage in cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research at the University of Waterloo.
The goals of the program are to grow the culture of interdisciplinary research at the University and provide an opportunity for the next generation of researchers to solve global challenges through innovation that can only be achieved by approaches beyond disciplinary boundaries.
Applications are now closed for our 2025 cohort of postdoctoral scholars.
The Provost’s Program for Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Scholars invites applications for the inaugural award, which provides successful candidates with annual support that includes a salary of $70,000 plus a benefits package. The scholars will also receive a one-time research fund of $5,000 at the time of their appointment. The value of the support demonstrates the importance of and commitment to interdisciplinary research at Waterloo. The term of the appointment is 2 years.
Why consider a postdoc position at Waterloo?
Postdoctoral scholars at the University of Waterloo are a vital component in supporting the intellectual strength of our institution. They play an active role in planning for and carrying out Waterloo’s research programs, build alliances and intellectual bridges to other institutions and provide mentorship to our students. In return, Waterloo offers postdoctoral scholars a supportive infrastructure and mechanisms for advancing their goals.
Through the Provost’s Program for Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Scholars, postdoctoral scholars will have a unique opportunity to be a bridge across different disciplines, departments, schools, and faculties, with an ability to work in more than one research group across the institution. Postdocs supported through this program will be co-supervised by faculty members from different departments/schools and preferably from different faculties. The postdocs themselves may or may not have experience in interdisciplinary research, but they should be able to clearly communicate their interest in, and clearly articulate how their proposed research will span beyond the typically disciplinary boundaries.
These scholars will become the critical link between research groups and will synthesize the knowledge of two (or more) fields into high-impact discoveries.
Successful scholars will:
- Receive mentorship from two academic scholars (two faculty supervisors at minimum) from at least two distinct disciplines;
- Have access to opportunities for collaboration throughout the institution, and leverage disciplinary strengths to address major problems of societal importance requiring an interdisciplinary approach;
- Explore new opportunities for application of research and commercialization, leading to new entrepreneurial ventures;
- Play an active role as mentors to students and young scholars;
- Have opportunities to be institutional change agents and champions of interdisciplinary research;
- Contribute to a research agenda that extends beyond disciplinary boundaries.
Who to contact with questions
Questions about research areas and connecting with Waterloo researchers?
Take a look at each of the Faculties and academic units and contact faculty members directly; feel free to include a link to this web page to provide context to the funding opportunity.
Questions about the goals and expectations of the program?
Contact Justin Wan, Interim Co-Associate Vice President, Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs.
Questions about the application process?
Contact our postdoc team at postdocs@uwaterloo.ca.