AdapT-Infrastructure Council

AdapT-Infrastructure Council Research Chair on Climate Change Adaptation

Institut AdapT at the École de technologie supérieure (ÉTS) and the Infrastructure Council are issuing a call for proposals for a research chair on the theme of adapting infrastructure to climate change. This chair will be funded by a grant awarded to Institut AdapT by the Fonds de recherche du Québec (FRQ).

The mission of Institut AdapT is to develop innovative solutions for the design, construction, and operation of a built environment that is resilient to climate change in the context of the transition to a circular, low-carbon economy. Acting as a one-stop shop, it brings together academic, scientific, governmental, civil, and industrial stakeholders to accelerate the adaptation of infrastructure to climate change.

The Infrastructure Council’s mission is to contribute to the optimization, deployment, and promotion of infrastructure projects, both in Canada and internationally. Acting as a catalyst, it connects public and private decision-makers with specialists in the field, while analyzing and disseminating innovations in procurement, financing, and collaborative delivery methods. The Council is firmly committed to technological innovation and sustainable economic development.

Funding a research program

Funding for the implementation of the proposed research program is $100,000 annually for a period of five years, subject to continued funding each year by the FRQ. These funds must be allocated primarily to scholarships and salaries for the research team, mainly undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows. The selected chair must be proposed by at least two co-holders from two different disciplines or working in different fields of research. The research program must address issues related to the adaptation of infrastructure to climate change in collaboration with or related to the issues of one or more members of the Infrastructure Council. The term infrastructure is used broadly and may include buildings and infrastructure for transportation, energy transmission, drinking water production and distribution, wastewater disposal and treatment, recreation and sports, etc.

Eligibility

The co-holders must hold a permanent or tenure-track professor position at a Quebec university. At least one of the co-holders must hold such a position at ÉTS.

Submission of applications

All applications will be treated confidentially.

We will take into account the impact of leave that may have caused interruptions or slowdowns in your career. In this regard, we encourage you to inform us of any leave that may have affected your professional trajectory. We will consider this information when evaluating applications.

Interested individuals are requested to submit their application file before January 30, 2026, 11:59 PM (EST).

The application must include the following documents:

1. Curriculum Vitae of co-holders (Canadian Common CV)
2. Most significant research contributions (2 pages per holder)
3. Research program (5 pages)
   • Problematic
   • Objectives
   • Méthodology
   • Budget
   • Expected results
   • Bibliographic references (not included in the 5 pages)
4. Statement highlighting the potential outcomes of the proposal in relation to the mission of Institut AdapT, its potential impact for members of the Infrastructure Council, and its multidisciplinary nature (2 pages)

The application can be submitted in French or English, in a single PDF document, using Times New Roman 12 font, to the email address: InstitutAdapT@etsmtl.ca

Evaluation criteria

• Research excellence of the holder(s) according to the criteria of the San Francisco Agreement (DORA) – 30%
• Merit of the research program proposal – 40%;
• Relevance of the proposal in relation to the theme of the chair – 15%
• Multidisciplinarity of the research proposal – 15%.

Commitment to diversity

ÉTS values the diversity of the people it hires. The School is committed to Engineers Canada’s 30/30 program, which aims to reach 30% women engineers by 2030, and received the Thérèse Casgrain Award in 2019 for its efforts in promoting the inclusion of women in engineering. ÉTS implements an employment equity program and invites individuals from underrepresented groups, including women, Indigenous peoples, visible and ethnic minorities, and persons with disabilities, to self-identify when submitting their application. People of all sexual orientations and gender identities are also encouraged to apply.

If you have any questions, please contact: InstitutAdapT@etsmtl.ca