Research Officer – Modular Off-Site Construction & Automation

Job title: Research Officer – Modular Off-Site Construction & Automation

Job description: Priority may be given to the following designated employment equity groups: women, Indigenous peoples* (First Nations, Inuit and Métis), persons with disabilities and racialized persons*.

• The Employment Equity Act, which is under review, uses the terminology Aboriginal peoples and visible minorities.

City: Ottawa

Organizational Unit: Construction

Classification: RO

Duration: This is a Continuing position, as well as anticipatory staffing for positions of various tenures

Language Requirements: English and Anticipatory staffing for various linguistic profiles

The NRC Advantage

Great Minds. One Goal. Canada’s Success.

The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) is the Government of Canada’s largest research organization supporting industrial innovation, the advancement of knowledge and technology development. We collaborate with over 70 colleges, universities and hospitals annually, work with 800 companies on their projects, and provide advice or funding to over 8000 Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) each year.

We bring together the brightest minds to deliver tangible impacts on the lives of Canadians and people around the world. And now, we want to partner with you. Let your expertise and inspirations make an impact by joining the NRC.

At the NRC, we know that diversity enables excellence in research and innovation. We are committed to a diverse and representative workforce, a safe and respectful work environment, and contributing to a more inclusive Canadian innovation system. We welcome all qualified applicants and encourage you to complete the employment equity self-declaration questions during the job application process.

Please let us know of any accommodation measures required to help you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner. Please note that the information you provide will be treated confidentially.

Your Challenge

Help bring research to life and drive your career forward with the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), Canada’s largest research and technology organization.

NRC Construction is implementing the “Platform to Decarbonize the Construction Sector at Scale” (NRC Platform) to accelerate and scale up new technologies to help transition the Canadian construction sector towards decarbonization and contribute to the emerging low-carbon economy. It will also establish new codes, standards, specifications, and guidelines to position the sector to achieve its 2050 greenhouse gas (GHG) carbon reduction targets. These investments will help spur the growth of Canada’s clean technology sector and help achieve Canada’s international commitments to reduce GHG emissions.

Federal Budget 2022 proposed that the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) receive $183.2 million over seven years (2022-29) to transition the Canadian construction sector towards decarbonization and enhanced productivity. The funding will support the implementation of a NRC Platform consisting of three integrated and synergistic Programs to advance the transformation of Canada’s construction sector and contribute to the emerging low-carbon economy.

The Digitalization and Productivity Challenge Program (approximately $70M over seven years) will drive transformation to digitalized and automated construction and accelerate the adoption of novel off-site construction methodologies. The program will support lower construction time and cost, while improving sector innovation potential, productivity and the pace at which low-carbon solutions can be deployed in new and retrofit construction projects. The program will be specifically designed to harness and focus Canada’s research and innovation capacity in industry, academia and research-based OGDs to fill key knowledge gaps (e.g. guidelines, standard methods of data exchange, standards development, integration of off-site manufacturing design and practices for deconstruction, productivity quantification, among others) to realize the potential benefits of off-site construction and automation. It will seek to implement processes to optimize the designs and compliance of buildings and infrastructure, leverage benefits of advanced manufacturing processes (including off-site panelized and modular construction), and advance development of low-carbon retrofit solutions that lever performance-based design.

Your Challenge (Con’t)

Research and development motivated by this program will provide the technical solutions needed for early adopters in the private sector to uniformly implement integrated digital construction practices throughout the asset lifecycle and across the sector. Demonstration projects with early adopters will showcase the value of digitalized construction solutions, which will help increase sector productivity, reduce time and cost, when coupled with a shift from prescriptive to performance-based solutions.

The primary responsibility of the RO is to support the goals of NRC’s Platform to Decarbonize the Construction Sector at Scale. These goals require research of international calibre and the development and application of advanced technologies to support the needs of our numerous industry partners. The RO works in a team environment with researchers and technical experts in world-class facilities. Activities also include the development of proposals for new research initiatives, effective project management, support to the enhancement of facilities, and communication of research plans and results to stakeholders.

We are looking for a Research Officer (RO), Off-Site Modular Construction & Automation to support the Construction Research Centre. The RO will support the NRC Platform and would be someone who shares our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect and Creativity.

Screening Criteria

Applicants must demonstrate within the content of their application that they meet the following screening criteria in order to be given further consideration as candidates:

Education

A PhD in Civil, Construction or Architectural Engineering with an emphasis on Modular Off-Site Construction (MOC), Construction Automation.

A PhD in a related field, combined with significant experience in MOC consulting or research may also be considered.

Education related to construction automation (either on-site and/or off-site), life cycle environmental and/or cost assessment may be considered an asset.

For information on certificates and diplomas issued abroad, please see

Experience

• Significant experience in conducting research on MOC demonstrating potential benefits compared to conventional construction methods. Experience working with MOC private sector organizations with hand-on MOC product knowledge may be considered an asset.
• Experience in MOC concepts in design & construction (e.g. DfMA and DfD, collaborative project delivery such as Design-Build or IPD, modular construction standards, module transportation, off-site manufacturing).
• Experience in the full spectrum of research activities including identification of research requirements, proposal writing, project management, client/stakeholder interaction, data production and analysis, and reporting through written documentation, presentations and publishing. Experience working in multi-disciplinary teams.
• Experience in construction (on-site and/or off-site) automation (e.g. automated data acquisition, automated collision avoidance, automated manufacturing technologies and processes) may be considered an asset.
• Experience related to conducting comparative analysis of MOC vs conventional construction may be considered an asset.

Condition of Employment

Reliability Status

Language Requirements

English

Assessment Criteria

Candidates will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:

Technical Competencies

• Ability to apply knowledge to research and technology development projects. Knowledge in leading/participating in research project planning, work scheduling, costing, proposal development, and engaging with stakeholders.
• Advanced knowledge in MOC processes, methodologies, and technologies, and productivity enhancements through MOC practices.
• Knowledge of automation in construction (on-site and/or off-site) research and/or projects and/or knowledge in Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DfMA), and/or Design for Deconstruction/Disassembly (DfD) may be considered an asset.
• Knowledge and in multiple MOC practices (e.g. volumetric modular, open/closed panels, mass timber, precast) may be considered an asset.
• Knowledge of using MOC practices for retrofit solutions may be considered an asset.

Behavioural Competencies

• Research – Creative thinking (Level 2)
• Research – Communication (Level 2)
• Research – Partnering (Level 2)
• Research – Teamwork (Level 2)
• Research – Results orientation (Level 2)

Competency Profile(s)

For this position, the NRC will evaluate candidates using the following competency profile(s):

Relocation

Relocation assistance will be determined in accordance with the NRC’s directives.

Compensation

The intent of this hiring action is to staff an early to mid-level Research Officer position (AsRO to AcRO) with a salary range of $74,230 to $123,393.

NOTE: Salary determination will be based on a review of the candidate’s expertise, outcomes and impacts of their previous work experience relative to the requirements of the level.

As a guide, the current annual PhD recruiting rate is $74,230.

NRC employees enjoy a wide-range of including comprehensive health and dental plans, pension and insurance plans, vacation and other leave entitlements.

Notes

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• A pre-qualified list may be established for similar positions for a one year period.
• Preference will be given to Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada. Please include citizenship information in your application.
• The incumbent must adhere to safe workplace practices at all times.
• We thank all those who apply, however only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Please direct your questions, with the requisition number (19314) to:

E-mail:

: 343-571-6509

Closing Date: 2 November 2023 – 23:59 Eastern Time

For more information on career tools and other resources, check out

*If you are currently a term or continuing employee at NRC, please apply through the SuccessFactors Careers module from your NRC computer.

Date modified: This page is updated continuously.

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