Call for Cohort Committee Representatives
Volt-Age invites applications from current graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to join the Cohort Committee, a new governance body representing the collective voice of its trainees.
About
As part of our commitment to build an inclusive, responsive and supportive community, Volt-Age is establishing a committee that will:
- Represent cohort perspectives in the Volt-Age governance.
- Provide structured input to Volt-Age's leadership team.
- Strengthen communication between the cohort and Volt-Age's governing committees.
- Foster a culture of engagement, collaboration, and shared governance.
Available roles
Volt-Age is seeking five members to serve a 12-month term from the date of confirmed nomination.
All positions will receive support from the Cohort Training Program Officer, who will serve as the Volt-Age liaison as needed to support onboarding and ensure a smooth transition into the role.
- Leads the cohort Committee, sets meeting agendas, facilitates discussions and ensures that decisions and actions are followed up.
- Serves as the primary liaison between the cohort and Volt-Age leadership.
- Coordinates with the cohort’s representatives on other governing bodies (EDI and Executive Committees) to ensure consistent communication and alignment across governance activities.
- Ensures accountability and continuity of the Committee’s work.
- Acts as the Cohort Committee’s representative on the Advisory Board, the oversight body that reviews strategic directions of Volt-Age.
Coordinates internal communications and ensures that relevant updates from the various representatives flow back to the cohort.
Collaborates with the Chair and Secretary to promote key messages and opportunities across institutional partners and communication channels.
- Keeps meeting minutes and records.
- Manages communications between Cohort Committee and the wider cohort (consider data policy e.g., sharing of contact information).
- Assists in coordinating meeting logistics and follow-up.
Coordinates internal communications and ensures that relevant updates from the various representatives flow back to the cohort.
Collaborates with the Chair and Secretary to promote key messages and opportunities across institutional partners and communication channels.
- Participates in the Executive Committee, which provides final approval on organizational decisions.
- Collaborates with the Chair to ensure broad representation of cohort perspectives on Executive Committee agenda items.
- Advisory Board: Advises strategic recommendations made by Executive Committee, with an emphasis on, but not limited to IP and commercialization, partnerships and performance tracking.
- EDI Committee: Advise on the implementation and progress of the EDI Action Plan and provide guidance on relevant Volt-Age processes and strategies to ensure the integration of EDI principles across the program.
- Executive Committee: Make key decisions for Volt-Age, including but not limited to funding decisions, administration, governance, reporting and budget.
Eligibility
Be current graduate students (master's or PhD) or postdoctoral fellows funded by Volt-Age's research projects.
Have at least one calendar year remaining in their current study program or postdoc contract as of June 1, 2026.
Demonstrate an interest in governance, leadership and community engagement.
Be able to commit to attending meetings once every three months and where applicable, representing the cohort in one governance committee.
Application process
Complete the application form containing a short statement of interest (150 words) describing:
- Your skills, attributes and values.
- Any relevant work, community, leadership or training experience.
Submit the self-nomination form by: 12pm Noon EST, April 2, 2026.
Selection procedure
The selection process will take place through cohort voting to ensure fairness, transparency, and broad cohort engagement.
- Each member of the cohort will be invited to cast one vote per position.
- Candidates receiving the highest number of votes for each role will be appointed to the Cohort Committee.
- In the event of a tie, a revote will be held for the position.
| Voting period: | April 8-10, 2026 |
| Nomination letters will be sent out by: | April 15, 2026 |
| Responses to the nominations must be received by: | April 17 2026 |
| Election results will be announced to the cohort by: | April 24, 2026 |
Volt-Age is funded by a $123-million grant from the Canada First Research Excellence Fund.
