Postdoctoral Scholar (15 positions available)

The University of Waterloo is seeking exceptional scholars who have recently completed their PhD in all disciplines.

The best and brightest are drawn to Waterloo for renowned academic programs, world-leading professional education, and teaching and research excellence. Our diverse community supports each other to develop academically, professionally, and personally within a collaborative environment that prioritizes wellbeing, growth, and achievement.

Postdoctoral scholars at the University of Waterloo are a vital component in supporting the overall intellectual strength of our institution. They play an active role in planning for and carrying out Waterloo’s research programs, building alliances and intellectual bridges to other institutions, and providing mentorship to our students. In return, Waterloo offers postdoctoral scholars a supportive infrastructure and mechanisms for advancing their goals, including resources and professional development opportunities.

Our commitment to reconciliation makes our environment an ideal ecosystem for Indigenous researchers.  Not only is Waterloo’s Indigenous campus community growing and strengthening at a healthy pace, but special funding is now available for Indigenous scholars through the programs listed below.  Please visit the Office of Indigenous Relations and The President’s Anti-Racism Taskforce to learn more about the work being done at the University to address racism and encourage respectful and reciprocal Indigenous relations.

We are pleased to present Waterloo-specific funding opportunities for postdoctoral fellows below. Applicants are encouraged to review the eligibility criteria for these programs before submitting their application; applicants may only apply to one of the three funding opportunities.

Provost’s Program for Black and Indigenous Postdoctoral Scholars

This program will support Black and Indigenous scholars, as aligned with the University’s strategic plan to strengthen sustainable and diverse communities, with particular attention to promoting Indigenous initiatives and ensuring a culture of equity, diversity, and inclusivity for all. Successful scholars will improve the representation, participation, and engagement of equity-deserving groups within our community, and support new and existing programs, policies, and processes that foster more diverse campus community. This program is aimed to advance emerging scholars whose work is transformative, of societal importance, and has global impact. Please visit the Provost’s Program for Black and Indigenous Postdoctoral Scholars pages on our website for more information.

Value:  $60,000 CDN per year plus one-time $5,000 research fund
Duration:  2 years
Application deadline:  December 1, 2023

AMTD Waterloo Global Talent Postdoctoral Fellowship Program

The AMTD Waterloo Global Talent Postdoctoral Fellowship Program is designed to attract the most accomplished postdoctoral leaders from top universities across the globe. Through a generous gift from alumnus Calvin Choi, the AMTD Fellowship provides financial support to postdoctoral scholars with the goal of fostering boundless opportunities to develop research and scholarship at the University of Waterloo. Candidates for this program will be those who have a disruptive research agenda that accelerates the development of revolutionary talent in research and scholarship, for the betterment of society. Research focus should be in the areas identified as strategic areas of research strength, with work that challenges and advances disciplines, is transformative, and has global impact. As well, scholars should demonstrate leadership and external engagement within and outside the academy. Further details on the innovative AMTD Waterloo Global Talent Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, including application process and timelines can be found on the AMTD pages on our website.

Value:   $75,000 CDN per year plus one-time $7,500 engagement fund
Duration:  2 years
Application deadline:  December 1, 2023

Provost’s Program for Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Scholars

This program supports emerging scholars who are engaging in cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research, as aligned with the University’s strategic plan to identify and solve challenges through approaches that extend beyond disciplinary boundaries such that increasingly complex, real-world programs can be solved. This program will support scholars whose work will bridge across different Faculties/departments, synthesize the knowledge of two (or more) disciplines, and result in high impact/innovative outcomes. Please visit the Provost’s Program for Interdisciplinary Postdoctoral Scholars pages on our website for more information.

Value:    $60,000 CDN per year plus one-time $5,000 research fund
Duration:   2 years
Application deadline:   December 1, 2023

How To Apply

Please visit our website for more information on eligibility and how to apply.  Applicants are encouraged to review the eligibility criteria for these programs before submitting their application.  Applicants may only apply to one of the three funding opportunities and must have endorsement from a university of Waterloo faculty member prior to applying.

Information Webinar

To provide more information about these programs, and the opportunity to ask questions, there will be a webinar on Thursday, October 12, 2023, at 9:30 am ET.  To register, please visit our website.