Opportunity: Urban Ecosystem Modeller

We seek a qualified Urban Ecosystem Modeller research scientist/post-doctoral scholar to join the RISE project. 

This team member will be responsible for ensuring coordination across 5 sub-projects that are developing integrated models to understand, predict, and manage stormwater, terrestrial carbon, and wetland ecology in new residential developments. Our models treat stormwater, trees, and wetlands (natural and stormwater ponds) as an integrated system, modelling and analysing the interactions between these systems that influence stormwater retention on site, tree growth, and greenhouse gas exchanges and biodiversity in wetlands. 

The Urban Ecosystem Modeller will identify, lead, and monitor best practices for model integration. The team member will also coordinate capstone project outreach and publication efforts.

Required qualifications:

1. Demonstrated expertise in interdisciplinary simulation modelling applied to urban carbon, stormwater, and/or wetlands.
2. Demonstrated understanding and ability to apply best practices in simulation modelling, including model documentation, sensitivity analysis, and uncertainty analysis.
3. A strong academic/training record commensurate with these required skills.
4. Demonstrated excellence in academic publication, commensurate with career stage.
5. Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively and respectfully in diverse, interdisciplinary research settings.
6. Demonstrated ability to follow directions and complete task in a timely manner.
7. Demonstrated ability to work independently, while seeking feedback and guidance as needed.
8. Demonstrated ability to lead publications and other outreach activities.

Desired qualifications:

1. Basic understanding of the role of natural and engineered green infrastructure to sequester carbon and manage stormwater runoff.
2. Expertise in advanced statistical, simulation, and optimization methods.
3. Basic training in urban design.
4. Demonstrated ability to interact with various planning actors/stakeholders, including professional planners and developers.
5. Understanding of site plan development, ideally in an Ontario context.

We have flexibility with respect to the type of hire for this position. This position is available as a research scientist or post-doctoral position. For research scientist and post-doctoral positions, initial appointment term will be 1 year, with the possibility to extend to two years through a MITACS application. Salary range is $45,000-$70,000, depending on qualifications and experience. For post-doctoral scholars, additional information including benefits is available on the University of Waterloo's Gradudate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs page. 

Apply by June 1, 2026 for full consideration.

1. Send an e-mail to Harriet Bigas and Michael Drescher with the heading “RISE Urban Ecosystem Modeller application,” followed by your name.
2. Include a short (max. 3-page, 12-point font) letter explaining your interest in and preparedness for this position, including your interest in the RISE project (see below for summary). Evidence of preparedness can include previous coursework, work experience, theses, publications, and experience working in interdisciplinary research groups and with professional and stakeholders. In an optional additional half page, please also highlight if desired any relevant lived experience or differential challenges you have faced relevant to your studies and/or this position. 
3. Include a recent CV, an unofficial transcript, the names and contact information for 3 references, and 1-3 research samples, preferably peer-reviewed publications.
4. We will contact you for an interview. When the position is filled, we will notify all unsuccessful applicants. We appreciate the time and effort that you might take to apply. 

Canada is a highly urbanized country where both intensification and greenfield residential development often reduce green infrastructure (GI). While cities are setting ambitious climate mitigation goals, they are concurrently losing GI’s contributions towards these goals. Novel green development standards create some developer incentives to provide GI, but on the whole, as GI on private lands creates public benefits but is financed by private costs, developer GI provision is too low. Further, cities lack complete and cost-feasible information on how greenhouse gas (GHG) profiles of developments evolve temporally. Our proposed research, led by a team of internationally recognized experts in modelling coupled socio-ecological systems, will:

• employ novel scientific methods to quantify urban terrestrial and wetland-based carbon stocks, sequestration and GHG emissions;
• develop a simple, dynamic carbon and GHG scorecard that will complement existing green building standards by tracking the state and trajectory of residential developments; and,
• test the scorecard’s potential to induce developer behavioral change by incentivizing GI investments through social norms and status-seeking behaviour.

The University of Waterloo regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to inclusion for all employees. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as Indigenous peoples (e.g., First Nations, Métis, Inuit/Inuk), Black, racialized, people with disabilities, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.

The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Occupational Health who will work with the selection committee to secure accommodation while ensuring that the information is safeguarded and confidentiality is maintained.

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 centralized within our Indigenous Initiatives Office.