Transforming Built and Urban Microclimates: Advancing Resilience Science for Vulnerable Populations in a Decarbonized and Electrified Canada
Building, Civil, and Environmental Engineering
Last updated: October 8, 2025, 3:42 p.m.
Supervisory details
Supervisor: Biao Li
Department: Building, Civil, and Environmental Engineering, Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science
University: Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
Start date: Winter/Summer/Fall 2026
PhD Fellowship: 35K CAD per year for 4 years
Project overview
This project addresses rising urban heat and climate risks. It uses sensors, AI, and climate modeling to predict health impacts and improve city planning. The goal is to develop energy-efficient upgrades and green infrastructure in areas most affected by extreme heat—especially for seniors and Indigenous communities. The research helps guide real-life projects like Net-Zero neighborhoods and supports fair, science-based climate policies.
Role description
- Develop and apply finite element models for thermal-hydro-mechanical (THM) coupling in frozen soils, permafrost, and soil-structure interaction.
- Integrate Canadian Permafrost Electrical Resistivity Survey (CPERS) and other geotechnical/geophysical datasets with numerical weather prediction (NWP) boundary conditions.
- Implement and refine AI-based parameter estimation methods to capture freeze-thaw cycles, thermal conductivity, and permafrost dynamics.
- Conduct subsurface risk assessments of geohazards, GHG release, and permafrost thaw impacts on northern infrastructure.
- Model and evaluate ground source heat pump systems and geothermal energy potential for permafrost stability in northern communities.
- Collaborate on urban resilience modeling (Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto), assessing green infrastructure (green roofs, walls, trees) for microclimate and thermal comfort.
- Contribute to scenario evaluation platforms analyzing climate hazards (heatwaves, storms, wildfire smoke) and mitigation through nature-based solutions.
- Perform laboratory and field experiments (e.g., fiber-reinforced soil tests, frost resilience trials) to validate numerical simulations.
- Prepare publications, technical reports, and presentations to disseminate findings and support data-driven urban planning and infrastructure adaptation policies.
- Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Civil Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or related field.
- Strong background in soil mechanics, frozen soil mechanics, rock mechanics, or constitutive modeling.
- Experience with numerical methods (e.g., finite element modeling, multiphysics simulations).
- Knowledge of thermal-hydro-mechanical coupling and/or soil-structure interaction processes.
- Proficiency in programming and computational tools (e.g., C++, Python, MATLAB, MOOSE, OpenGeoSys, COMSOL, Abaqus, or similar).
- Familiarity with AI/ML methods for parameter estimation is an asset.
- Experience with experimental geomechanics (e.g., soil testing, frost resilience, geotechnical instrumentation) is desirable.
- Interest in energy and environmental geomechanics, geothermal systems, and sustainable northern infrastructure.
- Ability to work in a multi-disciplinary team with industrial, governmental, and academic partners.
- Strong analytical, communication, and scientific writing skills demonstrated through prior publications, theses, or reports.
- Fully funded PhD positions with a competitive annual stipend, plus additional support for research-related travel, conferences, and collaboration with industry, government, and academic partners.
- Opportunity to work at the intersection of geotechnical engineering, frozen soil mechanics, and climate resilience, integrating advanced finite element modeling, AI-based parameter estimation, and experimental geomechanics.
- Access to state-of-the-art laboratories and geotechnical facilities at Concordia University, including resources for soil mechanics testing, frost resilience studies, and computational modeling.
- Structured mentorship and supervision by Dr. Biao Li, an expert in soil mechanics, permafrost modeling, and energy/environmental geomechanics, with collaboration across the Volt-Age program.
- Collaboration with multidisciplinary teams across engineering, environmental sciences, and climate resilience, as well as strong partnerships with industry and government organizations
- Strong support for publishing in high-impact journals, presenting at international conferences, and contributing to adaptation policies and infrastructure solutions for northern and urban communities.
- A dynamic research environment at Concordia University in Montreal, a global hub for innovation in sustainable infrastructure, permafrost adaptation, and environmental geomechanics.
Please combine the following documents into a single PDF file.
- Cover letter explaining why you are a good fit for the position
- Academic CV
- Unofficial Transcripts
- Names and contact information of 2 referees
- One writing sample, e.g., published journal/conference paper
- Any other documents that might benefit your file
Applications must be in screen-readable PDF.
If you are already in Canada, or if you’re a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident, please highlight this in your communications.
Send your PDF file to volt-age.recruitment@concordia.ca with the subject as:
Permafrost_Your name
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
Questions/contact
For all questions, please contact Alisa Makusheva at alisa.makusheva@concordia.ca.
