Postdoctoral at UBC: Transportation & Climate Impact

Postdoctoral Fellowship in Transportation Networks and Climate Impacts Analysis at UBC (2025–2026): Confronting Climate Disruptions Through Smarter Transport Systems

As the realities of climate change intensify, the resilience and adaptability of transportation networks have emerged as central concerns for policymakers, engineers, and researchers. The University of British Columbia (UBC), through its Department of Civil Engineering, is offering a prestigious Postdoctoral Research Fellowship aimed at addressing these challenges directly.

This opportunity, hosted by the Multimodal Mobility Systems Lab, is structured to equip early-career scholars with the tools to analyze, model, and strengthen transportation networks against climate-related disruptions. With real-world applications and interdisciplinary collaboration at its core, the fellowship offers a robust academic environment where research feeds directly into sustainable infrastructure development and public policy (University of British Columbia, civil.ubc.ca).

Whether you’re a civil engineer, GIS analyst, or machine learning specialist, this comprehensive guide will walk you through all essential aspects of the program—from its research focus and application requirements to eligibility, funding, and key deadlines.

About the Fellowship

Program Title

Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Transportation Networks and Climate Impacts Analysis

Status for 2025–2026

Applications are currently being accepted for the upcoming academic cycle. The fellowship is scheduled to begin in September 2025, with a rolling review process continuing until August 31, 2025.

Core Mission

The primary aim of this postdoctoral role is to produce insightful, data-driven research that informs climate-resilient transportation planning. The fellow will contribute to ongoing investigations that explore:

Accessibility during transportation system disruptions
Infrastructure resilience and adaptation to climate stressors
Integration of spatial data analytics and high-performance computing in transport modeling

This program integrates academic rigor with practical outcomes, supporting the creation of systems that can withstand environmental instability in Canada and beyond.

Duration and Location

Initial Term: 1 year
Renewable: Up to 2 years, contingent on performance
Mode: Full-time, in-person
Location: UBC Vancouver Campus, Canada

Primary Research Themes

Fellows will engage in cutting-edge work across several high-priority domains, including:

Multimodal transport systems
Simulation of networks during extreme weather events
Geographic information systems (GIS) and climate risk assessment
Big data and machine learning applications in civil infrastructure
Policy-relevant research for community resilience

These themes support interdisciplinary exploration, offering fellows the chance to contribute to both theoretical advancement and real-world implementation.

Eligibility Criteria

To maintain academic excellence and research impact, UBC has outlined specific eligibility requirements:

Academic Background

A PhD or equivalent terminal degree in Civil Engineering, Operations Research, Transportation Systems, or Computer Science with a focus on transport or infrastructure.
PhD must have been awarded within the past 3 years at the time of application.

Research and Technical Proficiency

Proven ability in transportation modeling, network simulations, and data analysis.
Prior experience in multimodal transport, climate vulnerability studies, or machine learning is highly desirable.

Citizenship and Residency

Open to both Canadian and international applicants.
International applicants must be eligible to secure a Canadian work permit.

Language Requirements

High-level proficiency in English (written and spoken) is mandatory.
No standardized language test required, but candidates should demonstrate communication strength through publications or writing samples.

Additional Attributes

Experience in mentoring, collaborative research, and managing timelines.
Clear alignment with Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Indigeneity (EDII) principles, reflected in personal statements and letters.

Application Process

Step-by-Step Instructions

Prepare Documents: Compile and format all required application materials as PDFs.
Send via Email: Email your full application to [email protected].
Use Correct Subject Line:
Format as: PDFO-58639, <Your Last Name>
Receive Confirmation: A confirmation email will follow receipt of your application.
Interview Invitation: Shortlisted applicants will be contacted for an online interview.

Official Program Portal

🔗 https://civil.ubc.ca

Required Documents

Ensure your application package includes the following:

Cover Letter:
Highlight your motivation, research fit, and commitment to inclusive values.
Curriculum Vitae (CV):
Include educational background, publications, awards, technical skills, and collaboration history.
Research Publications:
Submit 2–3 peer-reviewed works that demonstrate leadership in transportation or climate research.
Reference List:
Contact details for three referees:
- Name
- Institution
- Position
- Email address
Academic Transcripts (Optional):
Helps validate educational credentials.
Proof of Identity:
Scan of passport or national ID (especially for international applicants).

Research Areas and Interdisciplinary Scope

The fellowship encourages diverse academic inputs that align with its climate resilience mission. Supported areas include:

Climate modeling for infrastructure systems
Network theory and simulation
Transportation disruption forecasting
Spatial analysis and geodata systems
Public policy, sustainability planning, and community access design

Collaborative projects involving environmental science, data science, and public policy are particularly welcomed.

Financial Benefits

This fellowship offers comprehensive support to facilitate high-quality, uninterrupted research:

Salary and Compensation

Salary aligns with NSERC Postdoctoral Fellowship benchmarks.
Exact figures disclosed during final selection.

Additional Support

Access to research software, computing resources, and datasets
Visa and relocation support for international researchers
Conference funding for presenting findings at global forums
Health insurance via UBC’s postdoctoral benefits plan
Professional development workshops and mentorship programs

Selection Process

UBC follows a structured evaluation model to ensure fairness and transparency:

Review Stages

Document Screening:
Completeness, eligibility, and alignment with themes.
Shortlisting:
Based on publications, research focus, and skill sets.
Interviews:
Explore fit within ongoing lab projects and problem-solving capabilities.
Final Decision:
Holistic assessment including reference checks and endorsement by lab leadership.

Evaluation Criteria

Academic and research excellence
Technical expertise (modeling, GIS, data science)
Communication and leadership skills
Ethical and inclusive research vision

Timeline & Key Dates

Event	Date
Application Open	Ongoing
Priority Review Starts	July 2025
Final Submission	August 31, 2025 (12:00 PM PDT)
Interviews	July–August 2025
Final Decisions	By August 31, 2025
Start Date	September 1, 2025

Note: Early applications are prioritized and may receive decisions ahead of the deadline.

Contact for Queries

Dr. Amy Kim
Principal Investigator, Multimodal Mobility Systems Lab
Department of Civil Engineering, UBC
📧 Email: [email protected]
Conclusion

The Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Transportation Networks and Climate Impacts Analysis at UBC offers an unparalleled platform for contributing to the global challenge of climate resilience. Through a blend of scientific rigor, community relevance, and professional mentorship, this opportunity prepares emerging scholars for leadership in climate-adaptive infrastructure systems.

Prospective applicants should prepare diligently and apply early to maximize their chances. This fellowship represents not only academic advancement but a chance to shape the future of sustainable mobility systems (UBC Postdoctoral Fellows Office, postdocs.ubc.ca).

📨 Submit your full application via email to: [email protected]
📄 Subject: PDFO-58639, [Your Last Name]

Quick Summary Table

Feature	Details
Program	Postdoctoral Research Fellow in Transportation Networks and Climate Impacts Analysis
Location	UBC Vancouver, Canada
Funding	NSERC Discovery Grants Program
Duration	1–2 years
Mode	Full-time, on-campus
Eligibility	PhD (within 3 years), expertise in transport modeling, GIS, or data analytics
Salary	Competitive, NSERC-aligned
Deadline	August 31, 2025
Website	Home

References

University of British Columbia – Civil Engineering Department:
https://civil.ubc.ca
UBC Postdoctoral Fellows Office – Policy and Support Services:
https://www.postdocs.ubc.ca