Description
The Institut Courtois, part of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences at the Université de Montréal, invites applications from outstanding early-career researchers for its prestigious Postdoctoral Fellowship Program. The Institut offers a unique, interdisciplinary research environment dedicated to advancing the fundamental understanding of matter. Bringing together world-leading researchers in chemistry, physics, computer science, and mathematics, the Institut Courtois leverages recent breakthroughs in artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate the discovery, design, and characterization of novel materials. A distinctive feature of the Institute is its strong emphasis on bidirectional collaboration between AI experts and materials scientists. It fosters creativity, collaboration, and innovation at the interface of cutting-edge theoretical and experimental approaches.
Funding and Benefits
Selected fellows will receive a highly competitive package including:
Annual salary: CAD $63,819 (plus benefits; total compensation ~CAD $76,000)
Research funds: up to CAD $30,000 per year (subject to justification)
Duration: up to 3 years
Research Environment
Fellows will contribute to one or more of the Institute’s four strategic research directions, where materials science plays a transformative role:
- Materials for the Quantum Revolution
- Materials for the Energy Transition
- Materials for a Sustainable Environment
- Materials for an Intelligent Society.
All activities are structured around two cross-cutting themes:
- Modeling, Theory, Simulation, and Artificial Intelligence
- Automation, Robotics, and AI for Experimental Data
This ambitious program offers an exceptional platform to tackle major open questions in materials science and to generate high-impact scientific breakthroughs.
Calendar
Program launch: May 4, 2026
Notice of interest deadline: September 10, 2026 (11:59 PM ET)
Full application deadline: September 28, 2026 (11:59 PM ET)
Results announced: January 2027
Start date: Between March 2027 and September 2027
Why Apply?
Located in Montreal, one of the world’s leading hubs for AI and advanced research, Université de Montréal offers an outstanding scientific environment and exceptional quality of life. Institut Courtois provides a unique opportunity to contribute to AI-driven materials discovery within a highly collaborative and internationally connected research community.
As a multicultural and bilingual institution, Université de Montréal warmly welcomes English-speaking postdoctoral researchers from around the world. Ranked among Canada’s leading universities, it is located in a vibrant and cosmopolitan city known for its rich cultural life, dynamic research ecosystem, and welcoming international community. With more than 120 cultural communities represented across the city, Montréal offers an inspiring and inclusive environment in which to live, work, and build an academic career.
Institut-courtois.umontreal.ca/en/postdoctoral-fellowship-2026
Requirements
To be eligible, the applicant must:
- Be enrolled, or plan to enroll, in a postdoctoral program at the Université de Montréal;
- Have obtained their doctoral degree within the three years prior to the start of funding, or plan to obtain it before the start of funding;
- The doctoral degree has to be from chemistry, physics, computer science, mathematics, material sciences and engineering or related fields;
- Propose an original research program, in line with the expertise of the members of the Institut Courtois
- Be legally entitled to work in Canada for the period in question (Canadian citizenship or permanent residence), or commit to taking the necessary steps to obtain a work permit. The Institut Courtois will offer support to the selected persons in their visa application process. The final allocation of the internship is conditional on obtaining the required permit.
- Individuals who can justify career breaks or special circumstances (e.g., maternity, illness) may have obtained their doctorate less than four years ago at the time of the start of the internship.
