Lead Digital Twins and Community Energy Systems
Posting Period: 10 days
Application Deadline: November 20, 2025
Contract Duration: One year, with the possibility of renewal depending on availability of research funds
Salary: $30.79 – $53.28 per hour
Hours per week: 40
Position title: Lead Digital Twins and Community Energy Systems
P.I. or Immediate Supervisor: Prof. Ursula Eicker
Job Description
The Lead of Digital Twins and Community Energy Systems position will oversee and coordinate the operations and core progress of the aspects dealing with the Community Energy Systems Research Team and the backend work on the digital twins for TOOLS4Cities development. The Lead, in collaboration with the Principal Investigators, will assist with human resources and the financial activity for the Next-Generation Cities Institute at the operating level and is responsible for multi-project management. Additionally, the Lead will provide logistical and administrative project support to the Director of the Institute. They oversee all aspects of both projects’ development, acquisition, and multi-project management and take an active role in the preparation of large grants, research initiatives, and projects for the Institute.
Responsibilities:
In collaboration with the Principal Investigators, determine the hiring needs of both projects, and assigning of work priorities for other research personnel on the projects. Additionally, supervising junior research personnel and providing guidance and assistance when required.
Initiate and develop (strategic) proposals for community energy projects. Additionally, develop partnerships to design and support the implementation of community energy projects worldwide.
Oversee implementation of the communications plan, including email, website, and social media, as well as the development of events, online workshops/trainings, conferences, and webinars for both projects.
Design and develop indigenous community engagement strategies for energy projects, fostering a sustainable and collaborative environment while ensuring linkages and lessons learned exchanges between the different activities.
Liaise with external stakeholders (community organizations, other institutional community engagement offices, foundations, etc.) as relevant to both teams’ research program’s mandate.
Act as the primary point of contact between stakeholders and researchers to provide guidance and technical support for the planned activities.
Administer the funding budgets of projects and teams, including but not limited to planning and coordinating budget projection activities by adhering to financial forecasts and plans, budgeting for the development of events, workshops, and conferences.
Oversee the creation of annual reports by Research Assistants and Database Researchers, and assist with proposal writing for new federal and provincial grants to expand research activities.
Maintain and update policies and procedures of the project teams’ activities while liaising with unit heads to coordinate consistent administration and implementation of relevant University policies and procedures.
Develop structures, processes, and KPIs for the evaluation of Community Energy Framework projects.
Develop and review impact assessment and KPIs for project choices.
Perform and iteratively develop further the evaluation procedure for Community Energy Framework processes.
Oversee and provide technical support for the design, commissioning, and optimization of community energy projects.
Oversee the development and application of smart multi-level energy management solutions, integrating energy generation, monitoring, charging and storage systems in both private homes and public buildings, in concrete projects.
Mentor undergraduate and graduate students, as well as postdoctoral fellows attached to ongoing Community Energy projects.
Perform other duties in support of the Next-Generation Cities Institute.
Qualifications / Skills Required
Master’s Degree with ten years of experience, of which at least one year is in a supervisory role. Project Management accreditation is considered an asset.
Demonstrated project management experience and decision-making skills, coupled with the ability to establish and respond to priorities.
Proven team leader and team builder with the ability to motivate people and foster a positive team environment.
Academic background in energy and/or electrical engineering.
Experience with initiating and managing community energy projects.
Technical background in community energy design, commissioning, and implementation.
Know how on renewable energy microgrids.
Broad experience in multi-project (and multi-stakeholder) coordination.
Knowledge in stakeholder (and donor) engagement and management.
Experience in obtaining external funding and in working with the Ministry of Higher Education is desirable.
Superior interpersonal skills.
Fluency in English to express ideas effectively and to communicate clearly in complex situations; Good knowledge of spoken and written French.
Ability to multitask and work on a variety of projects concurrently
Intermediate knowledge of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint
How to Apply
Please send your CV and Cover Letter to ursula.eicker@concordia.ca by the posting end date of November 20th, 2025
*This Research Associate position is subject to all conditions outlined in the CARE collective agreement
Employment Equity:
Concordia University strongly supports employment equity, aiming for a diverse workforce that reflects the wider community. The University encourages applications from all qualified candidates, including those who identify as women, members of visible minorities, Indigenous persons, 2SLGBTQI+ persons, and people with disabilities. Candidates are invited to self-identify in their applications.
Immigration Status:
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadian and Permanent Residents will be given priority. To comply with the Government of Canada’s reporting requirements, the University is obliged to gather information about applicants’ status as either Permanent Residents of Canada or Canadian citizens.