About the Project
This project integrates building-based greenhouses into urban and remote communities to decarbonize food production and support electrification. By reusing waste heat and CO₂ from buildings, these greenhouses enable local, year-round food production while reducing emissions and energy costs. The project addresses technical, policy, structural, and community engagement barriers through a multidisciplinary approach. In partnership with Indigenous organizations, municipalities, and industry, it promotes scalable, resilient solutions for sustainable food and energy systems across Canada.
- Supervisor: Dr. Bruno Lee
- Department: Building, Civil, and Environmental Engineering, Gina Cody School of Engineering and Computer Science
- University: Concordia University, Montreal, Canada
- Start Date: Flexible (Fall 2025 preferred)
- MSc scholarship: 22K CAD per year for 2 years
- PhD Fellowship: 35K CAD per year for 4 years
Role description:
This role focuses on optimizing energy and CO₂ use in building-integrated greenhouses across diverse climates and building types.
- Develop and validate integrated energy models using simulation tools (EnergyPlus, multi-zone models) and on-site measurement data to optimize waste heat and CO₂ utilization for enhanced crop growth.
- Design and test ventilation and airflow control systems, incorporating renewable energy and energy storage solutions to reduce grid dependency and improve energy efficiency.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and Indigenous partners to address technical, policy, and operational challenges for sustainable, climate-resilient greenhouse systems.
- Conduct laboratory experiments using advanced methods (CFD, PIV) to validate thermal airflow and energy models, supporting scalable deployment in urban and remote communities.
Requirements:
- Background in Building Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or related fields with an emphasis on energy systems, building performance, or sustainable design.
- Experience with building energy simulation software (e.g., EnergyPlus, CFD tools) and strong skills in computational modeling and data analysis.
- Knowledge of HVAC systems, renewable energy integration, and thermal/airflow dynamics is highly desirable.
- Proficiency in data analysis and modeling using tools such as Python, MATLAB, or R to support simulation-driven design decision-making.
- Interest or experience in sustainable agriculture, greenhouse technologies, or food-energy nexus will be an asset.
- Strong communication and collaboration skills to work effectively with diverse stakeholders, including Indigenous communities and multidisciplinary research teams.
How to apply:
Please send the following documents in a single PDF file to bruno.lee@concordia.ca
- Letter of intent strongly aligned with the project and the research domain of the professor
- Academic CV
- Transcripts
- References
- Publications if any
- Any other documents that might benefit your file
Subject of the email: Closing the Water-Energy-Food-Loop_Your Name_MSc/PhD
IF YOU ARE ALREADY IN CANADA, OR IF YOU’RE A CANADIAN CITIZEN OR PERMANENT RESIDENT, PLEASE HIGHLIGHT THIS IN YOUR COMMUNICATIONS.
Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
For all questions, please contact Alisa Makusheva at alisa.makusheva@concordia.ca
