Post – Doctoral Research Position – Soil Moisture Monitoring for a Multi- Sensor Green Roof and Green Wall System. University of Toronto
Deadline: 27th of June
Contract: length: 12 months
Location: University of Toronto
We are seeking to hire a post-doctoral fellow (PDF) to join our green roof and green wall research team.
Team members consist of engineers, landscape architects and graduate students from the University of
Toronto and Ginkgo Sustainability. The successful applicant will work closely with the team to develop
calibration curves for capacitance volumetric soil moisture sensors as part of a multi-sensor green roof
and green wall system. The optimized sensors will be field tested in experimental and operational green
roofs both at UofT’s green roof innovation testing laboratory (Gritlab) and on selected GTA green roofs
and green walls.
The 12 month position will be based in Toronto and will work closely with Ginkgo Sustainability
technical staff. Ginkgo Sustainability Inc. (Ginkgo), an Ontario-based company, was founded in 2010 with
the mission to connect the living and built environment through the installation of living (green roofs) and
the installation and manufacturing of living walls. Ginkgo has completed over 250 green roof projects.
Operational and inspections services are an increasingly significant component of their offered services,
and Ginkgo currently manages over 300 properties.
Requirements
Applicants must have a doctoral degree in Engineering (Civil, Environmental, Water Resources, Electrical),
Environmental Sciences, Physical Soil Sciences or a related field. Preferences will be given to candidates
with strong quantitative skills and a proven publication record in one or more of the following areas: green
infrastructure, low impact development, storm water systems, soil-science, environmental soil physics,
real-time data and sensors. The focus of this project is soil moisture data, which is essential to ensure that
green installations are healthy and thriving and for planning maintenance.
The project includes sensor calibration, validation, field work, laboratory analysis and data analysis. Experience managing large interrelated environmental datasets and using scripting language(s) such as Python, R or MATLAB would be an
asset.
Application
Please submit your application package electronically as a single pdf file to Dr. Jennifer Drake
(jenn.drake@utoronto.ca) and include ‘Soil Moisture Sensor PDF_surname’ in the subject line. Your
application should contain:
• A cover letter stating your motivation for applying to this position, and how your research
experience and interests align with the project (max. 1 page)
• Curriculum Vitae,
• Contact information for a minimum of 2 references. References will only be contacted in case of
short-listing.
Deadline: 27th of June
