Graduate Research Assistant - Next-Generation Printable Solar Cells for Sustainable Greenhouse Agriculture - Dias
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Posting Information:
Academic department: School of Environment, Enterprise, and Development
Academic term: Fall 2026
Mode of delivery: In-person
Appointment Load Available
0.25 appointment = 0
0.50 appointment = 0
0.75 appointment = 0
Full 1.0 appointment = 1
Total load available = 1
QUALIFICATIONS
Educational Requirements
Minimum level: Masters, Research stream, must have taken a methods course
Experiential Qualifications
Next-Generation Printable Solar Cells for Sustainable Greenhouse Agriculture: Integrating Advanced Materials and Plant Science with Farmers' Perspectives and Indigenous Knowledge
This GRA position is associated with a two-year NFRF- Exploration grant, which addresses the challenge of advancing clean energy for sustainable food production in Canada. The project is developing greenhouse-integrated photovoltaics, GI-PV , specifically, organic-semiconductor-based solar cells (OPVs), and integrating GI-OPV designs, guided by greenhouse growers' perspectives for optimized crop-solar co-performance. The GRA will be responsible for research related to growers' practices, cultural values, and environmental life cycle considerations, using a variety of approaches, including workshops, surveys, and literature review. The growers' perspectives on design and practical constraints will be used to design the GI-OPV. At the end of the project, the GRA will have developed an anticipatory life cycle assessment framework, using anticipatory governance principles. The GRA is responsible for: 1) identifying sociocultural factors-including greenhouse farming practices, worldviews, cultural values, and practical constraints-that influence solarized greenhouse adoption among Canadian greenhouse growers; and 2) establish the foundations of an anticipatory governance-based life cycle assessment (A-LCA) framework to guide the design, deployment, and adoption of next-generation solarized greenhouses, systematically integrating technical, sociocultural, and environmental considerations for responsible, scalable deployment across diverse Canadian contexts.
Project phases:
There are four phases to the project, with a starting date of September 1, 2026. This GRA is related to phase 1, but there is potential for the GRA to continue for the other phases.
Phase 1 (Foundations and Preliminary Co-Design Principles; Months 1-6). Develop introductory engagement materials on GI-OPVs to hold first workshops (~month 3) with growers and Indigenous communities, followed by survey and personal encounters to probe sensitivities and priorities. Synthesize findings into preliminary design principles for socially aware GI-OPVs (technical + sociocultural).
Phase 2 (Co-Design Iteration 1; Months 7-12). Share preliminary technical findings with growers; elicit aesthetic and practical preferences (appearance, mounting, substrates); conduct surveys and personal encounters to refine insights. Develop a preliminary A-LCA framework based on the first round of technical and community inputs.
Phase 3 (Co-Design Iteration 2; Months 13-18). Communicate results of tandem spectral tuning experiments; gather responses on perceived opportunities and barriers. Update A-LCA to include combined device-plant data; incorporate community insights on adoption barriers into sustainability/governance framework.
Phase 4 (Co-Design Iteration 3 and Closing; Months 19-24). Share results of GI-OPV technology development with communities; elicit feedback on adoption readiness, cultural fit, and practical constraints. Finalize the preliminary A-LCA framework with technical, sociocultural, and environmental information and connections. Co-develop final reflection workshops with communities. Document guidelines and best practices for future scaling up and adoption.
Responsibilities (Phase 1)
Skills - Required
Course Specific Requirements
Skills - Nice to have
This GRA position is for four months, and is associated with Phase 1 of the research described in the Job description. The position starts September 1, 2026. Deadline to apply is July 31, 2026.
Compensation: $49.14 / hour, plus 4% vacation pay (GRA - Masters)
Facing technical issues? Email wservice@uwaterloo with subject "CUPE 5524 Support".
All applicants must be eligible to work in Canada, specifically at the University of Waterloo, before applying for an academic work assignment. All successful applicants must perform their work in Ontario and must be able to attend on-campus in-person meetings as required.
Graduate Teaching Assistant work assignments are unionized with CUPE 5524.01, and their terms and conditions of work are covered by the collective agreement between the University and CUPE 5524 (email contact: cupe5524@uwaterloo.ca).
The use of AI to perform job responsibilities must be directed by or approved beforehand in writing by the supervisor or course instructor.
Equity Statement
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 coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.
The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.
Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.
The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.
Posting Information:
Academic department: School of Environment, Enterprise, and Development
Academic term: Fall 2026
Mode of delivery: In-person
Appointment Load Available
0.25 appointment = 0
0.50 appointment = 0
0.75 appointment = 0
Full 1.0 appointment = 1
Total load available = 1
QUALIFICATIONS
Educational Requirements
Minimum level: Masters, Research stream, must have taken a methods course
Experiential Qualifications
Next-Generation Printable Solar Cells for Sustainable Greenhouse Agriculture: Integrating Advanced Materials and Plant Science with Farmers' Perspectives and Indigenous Knowledge
This GRA position is associated with a two-year NFRF- Exploration grant, which addresses the challenge of advancing clean energy for sustainable food production in Canada. The project is developing greenhouse-integrated photovoltaics, GI-PV , specifically, organic-semiconductor-based solar cells (OPVs), and integrating GI-OPV designs, guided by greenhouse growers' perspectives for optimized crop-solar co-performance. The GRA will be responsible for research related to growers' practices, cultural values, and environmental life cycle considerations, using a variety of approaches, including workshops, surveys, and literature review. The growers' perspectives on design and practical constraints will be used to design the GI-OPV. At the end of the project, the GRA will have developed an anticipatory life cycle assessment framework, using anticipatory governance principles. The GRA is responsible for: 1) identifying sociocultural factors-including greenhouse farming practices, worldviews, cultural values, and practical constraints-that influence solarized greenhouse adoption among Canadian greenhouse growers; and 2) establish the foundations of an anticipatory governance-based life cycle assessment (A-LCA) framework to guide the design, deployment, and adoption of next-generation solarized greenhouses, systematically integrating technical, sociocultural, and environmental considerations for responsible, scalable deployment across diverse Canadian contexts.
Project phases:
There are four phases to the project, with a starting date of September 1, 2026. This GRA is related to phase 1, but there is potential for the GRA to continue for the other phases.
Phase 1 (Foundations and Preliminary Co-Design Principles; Months 1-6). Develop introductory engagement materials on GI-OPVs to hold first workshops (~month 3) with growers and Indigenous communities, followed by survey and personal encounters to probe sensitivities and priorities. Synthesize findings into preliminary design principles for socially aware GI-OPVs (technical + sociocultural).
Phase 2 (Co-Design Iteration 1; Months 7-12). Share preliminary technical findings with growers; elicit aesthetic and practical preferences (appearance, mounting, substrates); conduct surveys and personal encounters to refine insights. Develop a preliminary A-LCA framework based on the first round of technical and community inputs.
Phase 3 (Co-Design Iteration 2; Months 13-18). Communicate results of tandem spectral tuning experiments; gather responses on perceived opportunities and barriers. Update A-LCA to include combined device-plant data; incorporate community insights on adoption barriers into sustainability/governance framework.
Phase 4 (Co-Design Iteration 3 and Closing; Months 19-24). Share results of GI-OPV technology development with communities; elicit feedback on adoption readiness, cultural fit, and practical constraints. Finalize the preliminary A-LCA framework with technical, sociocultural, and environmental information and connections. Co-develop final reflection workshops with communities. Document guidelines and best practices for future scaling up and adoption.
Responsibilities (Phase 1)
- Conduct a literature review on greenhouse practices and constraints
- Design research for collecting information on views from greenhouse growers related to perceived adoption barriers, attitudes towards solar integration, and priorities regarding appearance, cost, operational requirements, and overall design.
- Develop introductory engagement materials on GI-OPVs to hold first workshops (~month 3) with growers followed by survey and/or interview to understand priorities. (likely to be held in October or November).
- Synthesize findings into preliminary design principles for socially aware GI-OPVs (technical + sociocultural).
Skills - Required
- Quantitative and qualitative research design
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills
- Life cycle assessment
- Strong communication skills, verbal and written
- Driver's license and over 25 years old if you don't own a car (to drive rented vehicle for attending workshops or speaking to growers in Leamington, Ontari
Course Specific Requirements
Skills - Nice to have
- Anticipatory governance or governance knowledge
- Previous experience running workshops or interviews, or similar skills
- Knowledge of the greenhouse sector or agriculture
This GRA position is for four months, and is associated with Phase 1 of the research described in the Job description. The position starts September 1, 2026. Deadline to apply is July 31, 2026.
Compensation: $49.14 / hour, plus 4% vacation pay (GRA - Masters)
Facing technical issues? Email wservice@uwaterloo with subject "CUPE 5524 Support".
All applicants must be eligible to work in Canada, specifically at the University of Waterloo, before applying for an academic work assignment. All successful applicants must perform their work in Ontario and must be able to attend on-campus in-person meetings as required.
Graduate Teaching Assistant work assignments are unionized with CUPE 5524.01, and their terms and conditions of work are covered by the collective agreement between the University and CUPE 5524 (email contact: cupe5524@uwaterloo.ca).
The use of AI to perform job responsibilities must be directed by or approved beforehand in writing by the supervisor or course instructor.
Equity Statement
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 coordinated within the Office of Indigenous Relations.
The University values the diverse and intersectional identities of its students, faculty, and staff. The University regards equity and diversity as an integral part of academic excellence and is committed to accessibility for all employees. The University of Waterloo seeks applicants who embrace our values of equity, anti-racism and inclusion. As such, we encourage applications from candidates who have been historically disadvantaged and marginalized, including applicants who identify as First Nations, Métis and/or Inuk (Inuit), Black, racialized, a person with a disability, women and/or 2SLGBTQ+.
Positions are open to qualified candidates who are legally entitled to work in Canada.
The University of Waterloo is committed to accessibility for persons with disabilities. If you have any application, interview, or workplace accommodation requests, please contact Human Resources at hrhelp@uwaterloo.ca or 519-888-4567, ext. 45935.