Engg-Civil

Research area: Our research group specializes in environmental fluid dynamics in rivers, estuaries, bays, and deltas within the context of climate change, including marine flooding, coastal erosion, and fluvial morphodynamics. We develop numerical and experimental approaches to investigate turbulent free-surface flows, ranging from fundamental studies (swash zone dynamics, erosion processes, and the formation of bars, dunes, and meanders) to industrial applications such as hydropower generation and maritime navigation. Our current work focuses on hydro-sedimentary coupling, the influence of extreme events on bank stability, and the integration of field geotechnical data to constrain and validate numerical models.

Student roles:
The student will play a central role in analyzing the results of a hydrodynamic numerical model coupled with an erosion and bank stability model. This 12-week research internship will be structured around four main tasks: (1) analyzing hydrodynamic fields and the stresses exerted on riverbanks to identify the dominant erosion mechanisms; (2) defining the computational domain based on the physical constraints of the problem and the available computational resources; (3) generating multiple meshes to investigate the spatial and temporal convergence of simulations; and (4) comparing numerical results with field data.

Weeks 1–3: The student will refresh their knowledge of unsteady flow theory and slope stability through a concise literature review in order to better interpret numerical simulation results. They will also become familiar with the computational tools and simulation environments used in the project.

Weeks 4–6: The student will define and optimize the computational domain according to the required level of accuracy and available computational resources, while ensuring the physical consistency of the problem setup.

Weeks 7–9: The student will generate several computational meshes (unstructured, with varying resolutions) to assess spatial convergence and optimize the trade-off between numerical accuracy and computational cost.

Weeks 10–12: The student will continue the analysis by comparing numerical results with erosion observations derived from field measurements. They will also prepare a short report summarizing the main findings and propose recommendations for model improvement and future research directions.

Skills required:
The student should have a solid understanding of undergraduate-level fluid mechanics, including conservation equations, mass and momentum balances, free-surface flows, and laminar and turbulent flow regimes. Strong skills in applied mathematics and programming are required. The programming languages used in this project include Fortran, MATLAB, and Python. During the internship, the candidate will have access to a high-performance computing workstation.

Research area: Our research group specializes in environmental fluid dynamics in rivers, estuaries, bays, and deltas within the context of climate change, including coastal flooding, shoreline erosion, and fluvial morphodynamics. We develop numerical and experimental approaches to study turbulent free-surface flows, ranging from fundamental investigations such as swash zone dynamics, erosion processes, and the formation of bars, dunes, and meanders, to industrial applications including hydropower generation and maritime navigation. We also investigate fluid–structure interactions, with a particular focus on scour processes around hydraulic structures and their impact on infrastructure stability

Student roles:
The student will contribute to the development and analysis of a 3D numerical model dedicated to investigating scour processes around hydraulic structures founded on sediment beds. This 12-week research internship will be organized around four main tasks: (1) becoming familiar with the simulation tools and analyzing hydrodynamic and sediment transport fields; (2) defining and parameterizing the geometric and hydraulic configurations of the problem; (3) generating and optimizing computational meshes to ensure simulation accuracy; and (4) comparing numerical results with experimental data and findings from the scientific literature.

Weeks 1–3: The student will conduct a concise literature review to strengthen their understanding of turbulent flows, sediment transport, and scour mechanisms. They will also become familiar with the numerical tools and computational environments used in the project.

Weeks 4–6: The student will implement a reference configuration, including geometry, boundary conditions, and sediment bed properties, and perform the first 3D simulations. Particular attention will be given to the selection of numerical and physical parameters.

Weeks 7–9: The student will generate several computational meshes (with varying resolutions and structured or unstructured configurations) to evaluate spatial convergence and optimize the trade-off between numerical accuracy and computational cost. Specific analyses will focus on vortical structures and their role in scour initiation.

Weeks 10–12: The student will analyze the simulation results and compare them with experimental data and numerical results reported in the literature. They will prepare a concise report presenting the main findings, discussing the model’s limitations, and proposing directions for further improvement.

Skills required:
The student should have a solid understanding of undergraduate-level fluid mechanics, including conservation equations, mass and momentum balances, free-surface flows, and laminar and turbulent flow regimes. Strong skills in applied mathematics and programming are required. The programming languages used in this project include Fortran, MATLAB, and Python. During the internship, the candidate will have access to a dedicated computational workstation

Research area: My areas of research include: Soil improvement techniques; electrochemical treatment and bioremediation of contaminated soils and sediments; nanotechnology in civil and environmental engineering applications; electrokinetic extraction of rare minerals; green and low carbon concrete

Student roles:
1. Help in carrying our the experimental program
2. Collect and report data
3. Present the results in graphs
4. Draft a technical report

Skills required:
1. Fundamental knowledge of soil and crook,
2. Capacity to carryout out experimental tests
3. Capacity to collect and present experimental data
4. Ability to write a technical report

Research area: Hydraulics and Water Resources: Environmental Fluid Mechanics, Sediment Transport, River Mechanics, River Morphology and Morphodynamics, Physical Hydraulic Modelling, Hydrodynamic and Sediment Transport Numerical Modelling, River Engineering

Student roles:
The student will:
1- collect and analyze data from the literature describing experiments detailing the behaviour of dunes and ripples under unsteady-state flows;
2- develop new formulations describing the observed behaviour;
3- incorporate the new formulations into the computational tool presently under development by my research group and test the results through applications to field cases.

Skills required:
The student needs to be pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering or closely related field.

Research area: Seismic design and assessment of steel, concrete and composite structures; Development of innovative structural components and systems; Seismic hazard mitigation.

Student roles:
Students will be assisting world-class engineers and researchers to develop innovative structural components and systems to mitigate the seismic risk of structures. The students will be required to perform structural analysis and assess the seismic performance of different structures. Students are encouraged to develop their own innovative structural components and systems for the seismic application.

Skills required:
Students need to have strong background in structural engineering and minimum experience using finite element software. Basic knowledge of programing languages (such as Matlab,
Python, C++) is preferred.

Research area: Wood engineering and building technology for sustainable construction, with emphasis on engineered wood products and mass timber building systems. My research connects structural characterization of CLT, NLT, DLT, glulam, and hybrid timber-composite assemblies with vibration and acoustic serviceability, connection behaviour, tall wood building dynamics, sensing-based monitoring, and digital engineering for prefabrication. The work integrates experimental testing, finite element and analytical modelling, non-destructive evaluation, IoT/field measurements, and standards-oriented design methods for practical wood construction.

Student roles:
The students will work as undergrad research assistants in our research group. The students will mainly work with graduate students to conduct research projects. All the students will work as a team to achieve certain milestones during their internships.

Skills required:
Civil/Mechanical Engineering should have a solid background in mechanics, and preferably knowledge in dynamics and vibration.
Electric and Computer Engineering students should have a solid background in programming, signal processing, and Raspberry Pi. Additional knowledge of IoT is an asset.

Research area: My research focuses on hydrology and statistical hydroclimatology, with an emphasis on predicting water extremes such as floods and droughts. I develop advanced predictive modelling approaches and decision-support frameworks to enhance water security and resilience in both natural and built environments. My research group, the Hydroclimate Extremes and Water Security Lab (HEWSL), addresses complex challenges across pluvial, fluvial, and coastal systems to improve how communities are planned, designed, and adapted to thrive amid water extremes in a changing Earth system.

Student roles:
The student will help advance regional flood (streamflow) prediction methods within the research team. They will begin by collecting and processing streamflow observations from national datasets and estimating station-based L-moment statistics (L-skewness and L-kurtosis), which characterize the probability distribution of floods. Using these data, the student will apply geostatistical and network-based methods to map regional flood characteristics while accounting for river network connectivity and topology.
Building on this work, the student will integrate the derived regional geophysical priors into an existing flood frequency analysis framework. This includes adapting and implementing advanced parameter estimation methods (such as generalized maximum likelihood) in a distribution-agnostic setting for streamflow extremes.
The student will also be responsible for implementing, testing, and validating these methods to ensure accuracy, robustness, and reproducibility. They will contribute to code development, documentation, and workflow design, helping deliver reliable, user-ready tools for flood frequency analysis under climate change.

Skills required:
Required Qualifications/Skills:
- Background in hydrology, water resources, spatial statistics, or a related field.
- Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a research team.

Preferred Skills (not required, but beneficial):
- Programming skills, ideally in MATLAB, Python, or R.
- Familiarity with statistical methods, particularly frequency analysis and geospatial statistics.
- Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and an interest in developing reproducible, well-documented code.

Research area: My research interests and expertise are centered on the development of new engineering and IT-based methodologies addressing a wide range of challenges in urban water infrastructure and water engineering in general. I explore 5 main axes including hydroinformatics, Urban water infrastructure asset management, Adaptation of urban water infrastructure to an uncertain future, Flood risk assessment and management as well as Integrated water resources management.

Student roles:
The main objective of this project is to develop and evaluate a methodology to improve the accuracy of hydraulic flood modelling in the Fredericton area, using only low-resolution open data, using HECRAS software.
Specifically, the student will have to achieve the following objectives:
Objective 1: Analysis of available data
1. Identify and collect open data available for the study area:
1. Digital Terrain Models (DEM)
2. Hydrographic network
3. Historical flood data
2. Evaluate their quality (resolution, accuracy, completeness)
Objective 2: Basic hydraulic modelling
1. Building a HECRAS model (1D or 2D) from open data
2. Simulate a flood event (e.g. hundred-year flood or 2018 event)
3. Generate initial flood maps
Objective 3: Evaluating the accuracy of the model
1. Compare the results obtained with:
1. the flood zones observed
2. Official maps of New Brunswick
2. Quantify deviations (surface errors, depth, extension)
Objective 4: Data and model improvement
1. Apply improvement techniques:
1. DEM correction
2. Data Merge
3. refining of the HECRAS mesh
2. Integrate additional data if possible (satellite images)
Objective 5: Benchmarking
1. Compare the results before / after improvement:
1. Spatial Precision
2. Hydraulic coherence
2. Identify the most effective methods
Objective 6: Methodological proposal
1. Develop an improvement guide applicable to:
1. other areas of New Brunswick
2. regions with limited data

Skills required:
To undertake this work, the student must have acquired the following concepts:
1. Hydraulics and hydrology
2. Urban hydraulics
3. Geographic Information Systems Concepts
4. Introduction to Modeling with HEC RAS

Research area: I work on how humans and environment interact and shape nonlinear sustainability. I apply computational tools from complex systems approaches to fully understand human-environment interactions, incorporating socio-environmental datasets.

Student roles:
- Literature review
- Computational coding
- Result analysis
- Manuscript writing (depending on the progress)

Skills required:
- Any research experience in complex system modeling, network analysis & modeling, causal discovery, geospatial data analysis, machine learning
- Strong interests in human-environmental interactions and proposed topics
- Strong coding experience in MatLab, R, Python, etc. (multiple is favorable)
- Past course works in systems thinking, modeling, network theory, mathematics, statistics

Research area: Research areas span computational problem-solving across the domains of buildings (passive design, systems, controls) and renewable energy systems (microgrids, district heating, renewable generation). This includes improvements to models, using optimization approaches like genetic algorithms to explore the space of possible designs. The applications bridge the building, district, city and national scales, and are inspired by the principles of systems thinking regarding holistic analysis and interconnectivity. The research also touches on the process of software development in an academic context, and on improving the exchange of knowledge with industry.

Student roles:
The student will:
- Learn to develop building energy models. This will be largely self-taught, following a set of lecture notes plus online tutorials, with assistance from other students when required.
- Read papers and reports detailing the principles of building energy optimization.
- Implement a building optimization methodology using the research-level software developed in the Energy Systems and Sustainable Cities group.
- Work with partner companies to understand the case study projects, which are envisaged to be real projects or example projects that describe a particular building typology.
- Obtain results for the optimizations that help to address the objectives of the case study projects (e.g. to minimise energy use for a given cost).
- Write a short report on the results of the optimization to the company, and evaluate the performance of the optimization process so that this can be improved.
- Stretch goals for advanced students include developing and testing improvements to the optimization methodology and developing software improvements to the process implementation.
The student will be responsible for conducting and managing their own projects, but will receiving support and guidance commensurate with their experience and abilities. The philosophy of the research group is to foster individuals in becoming computationally-skilled independent problem-solvers, able to tackle complex technical challenges in innovative ways.

Skills required:
An interest in and aptitude for using computational methods to solve challenging engineering problems related to energy is the only requirement. Students could be studying any branch of engineering, maths, physics, computing or architecture – the area of research is very interdisciplinary. The student should have a basic understanding of energy as it applies to buildings. Some programming experience is highly beneficial, preferably knowledge of Python or possibly Matlab, along with a willingness to learn. Experience with building energy simulation (e.g. EnergyPlus) is a significant bonus, but not required.

Research area: Sustainable and resilient civil infrastructure under extreme environmental conditions

Student roles:
The student’s role will primarily focus on conducting a comprehensive literature review, synthesizing technical information, and identifying key geotechnical challenges relevant to Arctic defense infrastructure. Tasks will include reviewing academic papers, government and defense reports, summarizing findings, and contributing to the development of a conceptual framework. The student will prepare a final report documenting their findings and may have the opportunity to contribute to a conference or journal paper depending on the outcomes.

Skills required:
The student will require one or more of the following skills/background: geotechnical engineering, cold regions engineering, literature review and technical writing, critical analysis, and basic understanding of soil mechanics.

Research area: My research falls within large-scale transportation systems analysis and planning. My research group takes core quantitative methods (optimization, econometrics, and network modelling) and applies them to a range of multimodal transportation planning problems, particularly for climate change adaptation and resilience to extreme events. We aim to understand how engineering analysis can be used to inform critical policy decisions. We model transportation systems to understand operational features, interactions of supply and demand, and potential impacts of new policy paradigms. Much of our research is highly interdisciplinary, and we collaborate with climate scientists, wildfire scientists, earthquake engineers, and others.

Student roles:
The student will be required to directly assist a PhD student and/or postdoctoral researcher as part of a larger project team led by Dr. Kim. They will be asked to provide all types of research support, from literature review, data cleaning and analysis, setting up, coding, and running network models, and using GIS software. The student should have excellent coding skills, an ability to learn new things quickly, work independently, and enjoy problem solving. They may also be expected to provide support in producing documents such as project reports, presentations, and journal and conference publications. It is a must that the student is able to work well in a team research environment, with good communications skills, an open-minded attitude, willingness to learn and try new things, solve problems independently when needed, and strong work ethic, under the direct guidance of a PhD student and/or postdoctoral researcher, and myself (supervisor). The student should be highly organized, have good time management skills, adhere to professional work practices, and contribute to an inclusive and supportive team environment. Student will attend research group meetings and other meetings pertaining to the project, both formal and informal. Student will interact frequently with the lead PhD student and/or postdoctoral researcher, and potentially other students in the lab.

Skills required:
The student intern should have a strong interest in transportation engineering, infrastructure, network models, and climate change impacts to transportation systems. They should have a strong quantitative background in engineering, with excellent reasoning skills, a strong work ethic, excellent coding and network analysis skills, and curiosity about applied research methods. Experience in some combination of the following would be best suited to this work: large-scale data analysis and statistics, mathematical modelling and optimization, operations research, network models, and GIS. Should be very proficient in Python, and have some experience using spatial analysis software (ArcGIS, QGIS).

Research area: Our research focuses on sustainable and resilient infrastructure, advanced cementitious materials, structural rehabilitation, and computational mechanics. Current activities include the development of low-carbon concrete technologies such as LC3 and UHPC, assessment of aging infrastructure, structural health monitoring, and finite element modeling of reinforced concrete structures. The laboratory combines experimental testing, numerical simulation, and field applications to develop innovative solutions that extend infrastructure service life while reducing environmental impacts.

Student roles:
Applicants should have a strong background in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related field. Knowledge of reinforced concrete behavior, structural mechanics, and construction materials is required. Experience with finite element modeling, numerical analysis, or software such as Abaqus, ATENA, DIANA, ANSYS, OpenSees, or Vector2 is highly desirable. Familiarity with concrete materials, laboratory testing, MATLAB, Python, or data analysis tools is considered an asset. The student should demonstrate strong analytical skills, initiative, and interest in sustainable infrastructure and structural rehabilitation research.

Skills required:
Applicants should have a strong background in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related field. Knowledge of reinforced concrete behavior, structural mechanics, and construction materials is required. Experience with finite element modeling, numerical analysis, or software such as Abaqus, ATENA, DIANA, ANSYS, OpenSees, or Vector2 is highly desirable. Familiarity with concrete materials, laboratory testing, MATLAB, Python, or data analysis tools is considered an asset. The student should demonstrate strong analytical skills, initiative, and interest in sustainable infrastructure and structural rehabilitation research.

Research area: Resilient and Innovative Bridges and Structures (RIBS) research group focuses on improving our understanding of the behavior of civil infrastructures under various extreme load conditions. My research is drawn towards the development and application of advanced and novel materials in civil engineering structures and its experimental investigation, advances in numerical and experimental earthquake engineering along with development of advance modeling tools and techniques using artificial intelligence. Finite element analysis and machine learning is key to this research theme and is an area of strength within my research group.

Student roles:
The key activities and role of the student are as follows:

• design, develop, and implement study procedures, creation of datasets for analysis, and ensuring data quality and confidentiality,
• conduct literature searches and maintain citation databases,
• support graduate students in developing code compliant structural design using LLM,
• develop component and system level numerical models of steel buildings using LLM,
• perform numerical analysis and collect data, prepare graphs, charts and presentations,
• engage in regular research discussions with fellow researchers in the RIBS Lab to receive feedback about their work and ensure optimal performance is being achieved,
• contribute to the preparation of articles on research outcomes and progress, and
• participate in regular research group meeting and provide update about research progress.

Skills required:
• a fundamental understanding of civil and structural engineering principles along with basic programming knowledge,
• sufficient knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programs,
• experience with structural modeling, simulation, and nonlinear finite element analysis,
• previous experience with numerical analysis, and application of machine learning,
• programming experience in Python or MATLAB,
• experience and ability to use a range of visual presentation tools such as MS Excel charts, Power Point, and other similar tools

Research area: My research area is in the field of structural engineering with focus on redundancy, reliability, robustness and risk analysis of structures under different hazards, with particular interest of structures in cold regions.

Student roles:
Students will work on the construction and testing of structural specimens in the laboratory, such as beams and columns. Results will be compared to numerical models and parametric studies.

Skills required:
Students should have a background in structural engineering and nonlinear mechanics. Knowledge of finite element modelling, OpenSees, and python programming.

Research area: I specialize in the area of Structural Engineering with emphasis on the behaviour of reinforced concrete structures under extreme environment and loads. The focus is on creating durable and sustainable infrastructure.

Student roles:
The Interns will work with a PhD student and a Postdoctoral Fellow in our Structures Laboratories as well as on computer analysis and modelling. Their job will include helping with construction and testing of specimens, and analysis of test data. Depending on the availability of time, the interns will also be able to participate in the formulation of analytical modelling.

Skills required:
The interns should know the basic knowledge of mechanics of materials, structural analysis and basic design of reinforced concrete members. Working knowledge of related computer programs is essential.

Research area: My research focuses on the experimental investigation of reinforced concrete structures incorporating innovative, sustainable materials. Specifically, I study the behavior of elements reinforced with non-metallic materials such as fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) bars, fibre-reinforced concrete (FRC), and lightweight concrete (LWC). The objective is to enhance structural performance, durability, and sustainability, particularly in harsh environmental conditions. My work aims to inform design and construction practices that extend the service life of infrastructure while reducing maintenance costs and environmental impact. Experimental testing plays a central role in achieving these goals.

Student roles:
The student will be support the ongoing experimental work in the structures lab, including constructing specimens, gathering data, testing concrete specimens, and writing technical reports. They will also be required to run finite element analysis and modelling. All this will be conducted under the supervision of the professor and senior graduate students.

The student will contribute to an experimental research project focused on the performance of full-scale bridge deck slabs reinforced with sustainable non-metallic composites. Under my supervision, the student will contribute to a dedicated subtask related to the utilization of basalt fibres in FRP-RC deck slabs. They will assist with specimen preparation, instrumentation, testing, data collection, and analysis. The student will also conduct independent research on a related aspect of the project and contribute to technical documentation. This internship offers hands-on experience in structural testing and insight into cutting-edge research addressing a critical gap in current design codes.

Skills required:
The ideal student should have a solid understanding of basic structural engineering principles, including statics, mechanics of materials, structural analysis, and theory of structures. A background in reinforced concrete design is essential. Familiarity with software such as Microsoft Office (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and AutoCAD is important. Although not necessary, prior involvement in materials or structural testing is a strong asset. Strong technical writing skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently and as part of a research team are also highly desirable.

Research area: Dr. Wenbo Zheng leads a nationally recognized research program in rock mechanics, experimental geomechanics, and geohazard resilience at UNBC. His research combines advanced laboratory testing, numerical modelling, and data-driven analysis to investigate rock behaviour, fracture processes, and stability in resource and infrastructure applications. Supported by NSERC, CFI, and industry partners, his team operates UNBC’s Rock Mechanics Laboratory and collaborates internationally on sustainable geo-resource development and hazard mitigation. He has published over 60 peer-reviewed journal papers, including many with his graduate students and summer interns. Successful Globalink interns will gain hands-on experience in rock mechanics testing, data analysis, and geomechanics research.

Student roles:
The students will become active members of UNBC’s Rock Mechanics Research Laboratory and participate in all stages of the research project. Working as a team, they will assist with preparing rock specimens, conducting instrumented indentation tests and conventional compression tests on a variety of rock types, and operating laboratory equipment under supervision. The students will collect, process, and analyze experimental data from both testing methods and help establish correlations between indentation-derived parameters and conventional rock mechanical properties, including elastic modulus, compressive strength, and deformation characteristics.
The students will work closely with graduate students and faculty researchers to investigate how rock type, mineral composition, and material heterogeneity influence the relationship between indentation and compression responses. They will contribute to the development of empirical and statistical models that enable rapid estimation of conventional rock mechanical properties from indentation testing. Depending on their interests and experience, students may also assist with data visualization, statistical analysis, machine learning applications, literature reviews, and technical report preparation.
Throughout the project, the students will receive training in rock mechanics, laboratory testing methods, data analysis, and scientific communication. They will gain hands-on experience with advanced laboratory equipment and develop skills in experimental design, quantitative analysis, problem-solving, and engineering research. The project will expose students to practical challenges in rock characterization and their applications in mining, geotechnical engineering, energy development, and subsurface resource management.
This project provides an excellent opportunity to develop laboratory, analytical, teamwork, and communication skills within a collaborative research environment. Students will be encouraged to present their findings at research meetings and may have opportunities to contribute to conference presentations and peer-reviewed journal publications. Previous undergraduate interns in our research group have successfully co-authored scientific publications and pursued graduate studies and professional careers in geotechnical, geological, mining, petroleum, and civil engineering.

Skills required:
The students should have an engineering background in civil/geotechnical/petroleum/geological/mining. Previous experience in laboratory testing and data analysis is highly desirable.

Research area: Soils may seem simple, but at micro- to nano-scales, they exhibit complex behaviour, especially when interacting with water. Our research investigates how water enters and moves through soils and how this can lead to swelling, particularly in fine-grained soils. We focus on making soils hydrophobic, or water-repellent, through physical and chemical treatments to reduce their affinity for water. Using advanced tools such as microscopy and numerical modelling, we study how small-scale changes at the particle level influence large-scale ground behaviour. By controlling water–soil interactions, we aim to reduce soil swelling and the damage it can cause to infrastructure.

Student roles:
The students will conduct laboratory experiments to study hydrophobic soils, with a particular focus on how these soils behave during wetting and drying cycles that can cause swelling and shrinkage. They will investigate whether hydrophobic treatment can reduce water uptake and help limit these harmful volume changes. In addition to analysing experimental data, the students will use advanced computer simulations to better understand and predict the swelling behaviour of hydrophobic soils under different environmental conditions.

We are a small bilingual international team, fluent in both English and French. While we speak several languages, English is our primary working language. Together, we strive for a friendly and productive place where each and everyone of us achieve their utmost potential.

Skills required:
We welcome students with backgrounds in the physical sciences who are interested in geotechnical engineering, civil engineering, and the behaviour of earth materials. Prior knowledge of soil mechanics is helpful but not required since training is provided. Experience in image analysis, lab work, or simulations is a plus. You will gain hands-on experience with innovative soil treatments, environmental chambers, data analysis, and software for numerical and image processing. The role is ideal for students who are patient, detail-oriented, and curious. We value enthusiasm, collaboration, and a strong willingness to learn.

Research area: My expertise and research focus on the assessment of structural behavior, structural safety, bridges, and material-structure interaction of concrete structures. My research interests include innovative concretes and their structural implications, safety and reliability assessment and strengthening of damaged and ageing concrete structures.

Student roles:
The intern will join a team of researchers working on the structural behavior of concrete structures. The intern will interact with other graduate students in the research team and
will be responsible for a series of specific objectives assigned to him/her. Anticipated tasks include:
- Conduct a brief literature review;
- Simulate the behavior of an existing bridge and its degradation;
- Test critical structural elements;
- Present the results obtained.

This project may eventually be pursued in graduate studies.

Skills required:
- Initiative;
- Self-starter;
- Creative;
- Rigorous;
- Basic knowledge of reinforced concrete structures;
- Basic knowledge of structural analysis, design and modeling an asset.

Research area: • Dr. El-Hacha has pioneered the use of Fibre Reinforced Polymers in new constructions and strengthening structures. His work has led to enhanced structural performance and longevity, providing more sustainable and resilient infrastructure solutions. • He's been at the forefront of integrating smart materials, including Shape Memory Alloys, in construction, enabling structures to adapt to environmental changes and self-repair, thus significantly improving their lifespan and reducing maintenance costs. • His research on Ultra-High Performance Concrete has driven advancements in bridges and modular construction, offering unprecedented strength and durability. His work has set new standards for UHPC in the construction industry.

Student roles:
The student will play an essential role in advancing this research project on CNF-UHPC overlays for bridge deck retrofitting. Their primary responsibility will be conducting experimental investigations to evaluate the material and structural performance of carbon nanofibre-infused ultra-high-performance concrete. This will include preparing and testing specimens to assess mechanical properties such as compressive strength, tensile capacity, creep behaviour, and fibre-matrix bonding characteristics.

A key part of the student’s role involves conducting a series of durability tests, including chloride ion penetration, salt scaling, abrasion resistance, and other exposure-related degradation assessments. The student will also help simulate vehicular loadings and fatigue cycles to understand how the CNF-UHPC overlay performs under real-world service conditions. They will assist in analyzing the results to identify degradation patterns, evaluate microstructural changes, and determine long-term performance.

In the later stages of the project, the student will contribute to the field application of CNF-UHPC by supporting the placement of test overlays and monitoring their behaviour in situ. This will involve data collection, performance documentation, and troubleshooting construction challenges. The student will also assist in compiling findings into technical reports, generating practical guidelines, and contributing to publications or presentations.

Collaboration with industry partner ceEntek and other research team members is expected, requiring effective communication and coordination. The student must be capable of managing laboratory tasks, maintaining accurate records, and adhering to safety and quality assurance protocols.

Overall, the student will gain comprehensive experience in advanced concrete materials research, experimental techniques, field implementation, and result interpretation. This role is ideal for a motivated and technically competent student who seeks to contribute meaningfully to sustainable infrastructure innovation through the application of cutting-edge materials.

Skills required:
To effectively contribute to this project, the student should have a solid background in civil or structural engineering, with specific knowledge in concrete materials and infrastructure rehabilitation. Familiarity with ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC), fibre-reinforced composites, and nanomaterials (such as carbon nanofibres) is highly desirable. The student should possess hands-on experience with laboratory testing, including mechanical strength tests (e.g., compression, tensile, and creep), durability assessments (e.g., chloride penetration, salt scaling, abrasion), and data analysis. Understanding the performance of concrete materials under simulated vehicle loading and fatigue conditions is important. Strong technical writing, organizational skills, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively

Research area: Mining geotechnics

Student roles:
Physical and mechanical characterization
Sample preparation
Provide assistance to gradtuate students for their lab work.

Skills required:
Knowlege in soil mechannics, rock mechanics, and cemented materials

Research area: Sustainable and resilient civil infrastructure

Student roles:
The student's role will primarily focus on one or more of the following tasks: literature review, ArcGIS analysis, data analysis, mapping, critical thinking & framework development. The student will need to write a report of their research findings as a minimum and depending on the outcome of the research findings, the student will be encouraged to contribute to a conference/journal paper.

Skills required:
The student will require one or more of the following skills/background: ArcGIS, data analysis, mapping tools, soil mechanics/geotechnical engineering

Research area: My work focuses on infrastructure–social–organizational integration to support resilient and equitable infrastructure planning, construction, and recovery. She leverages advanced analytical approaches (artificial intelligence, data analytics, and simulation) to enhance construction productivity, improve infrastructure system performance, and inform climate-resilient mitigation and adaptation strategies for infrastructure investment and policy decisions.

Student roles:
The student will support various aspects of the project, including data collection and processing, literature review, and analysis of residential building performance under extreme weather events. The candidate will assist in developing and applying analytical models to identify critical building design and site attributes that influence climate resilience, and contribute to the synthesis of findings into practical adaptation strategies and decision-support tools. The ideal candidate is detail-oriented, self-motivated, and has a general interest in climate resilience, building science or related fields.

Skills required:
Research & Analytical Skills
-Building performance and vulnerability assessment
-Statistical and data analysis
-Knowledge of building design, construction, or engineering

Technical & Computational Skills
-Python or R for data analysis and modeling
-Data visualization and dashboard development

Research area: Improve pile design using plie load test results and construction records

Student roles:
The research tasks described in this project include several tasks:
1) Build a database of PLT results and installation records. A database will be compiled to include soil parameters, soil type, water content, PLT load-displacement curves, installation torque, penetration rate, concrete volume, pumping pressure, etc;
2) Identify the most appropriate failure load from PLTs. The failure loads can vary significantly depending on the failure criteria. The most appropriate failure load shall be selected based on its consistent performance and lower variation among different failure criteria;
3) Extract the installation energy from the installation records. Digitize the installation records and develop an installation energy formula to consider the installation energy, equipment characteristics, pile depth, soil type and its properties;
4) Conduct a statistical correlation between the failure load and the installation energy. A performance verification will be conducted with new CFA data, and the issues shall be identified for further improvement;
5) Present the findings and prepare a report. A report will be prepared for a detailed discussion of these findings and the need for further investigation.

Skills required:
The ideal candidate should be a civil engineering undergraduate who has finished their third-year studies with related courses like statistics, probability, soil mechanics, and foundation design.

Research area: Dr. Butler leads the Sustainable Concrete Structures Group at York University. This group of structural engineering researchers develop and evaluate engineering solutions which serve to prevent and/or mitigate the impact of climate change on concrete infrastructure systems. Working within the Department of Civil Engineering, the team has access to advanced indoor and outdoor testing facilities and equipment. A main focus is on the development of new concrete materials including ultra high performance concrete, low carbon and recycled concrete, 3D-printed concrete, pervious concrete and self-healing concrete. Research related to data-driven and physics-informed machine learning applications in structural engineering is also ongoing.

Student roles:
In addition to the above-noted opportunities, the successful GRIs will be responsible for:
• Performing laboratory work in the High Bay Structures Laboratory and the Climate-Data-Driven Design (CD3) Facility for Built Infrastructure (both located on York University’s Keele Campus).
• Working independently and under the supervision of the faculty supervisor, graduate students and technicians,
• Carrying out classification, rheological and mechanical properties testing of various concrete mixture designs,
• Undertaking a review of current research literature pertaining to self-sensing and 3D-printed concrete structures,
• Analyzing and interpreting testing data using statistical and other analytical approaches,
• Attending and presenting at weekly research progress meetings,
• Reporting on experimental findings through report and/or technical article writing, and presentations.

Skills required:
Technical skills:
The successful GRIs will have a background in civil or structural engineering. In addition, the interns will possess the following attributes:
• Basic knowledge of concrete materials and properties;
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills;
• Basic statistical analysis skills;
• Working knowledge of MS Excel, MS Word and coding software (e.g., Python, Matlab, R, etc.).
• Previous professional or laboratory experience working with concrete materials would be considered an asset.

Interpersonal skills:
• Highly-motivated and personable.
• Ability to interact and collaborate with researchers and engineers from diverse backgrounds and

Research area: Dr. Abimbola Grace Oyeyi leads the Sustainable Transportation and Pavement (STAP) Lab at the University of Windsor. The STAP conducts research in sustainable, innovative pavement design and management. We aim to advance experimental and field evaluation methods to understand pavement materials, design resilient infrastructure, and develop economical, durable, and sustainable solutions. We focus on creating smart, self-sensing pavements for efficient management and evidence-based policy decisions.

Student roles:
The candidate will conduct experimental work on smart asphalt materials, evaluating their lab and field performance, while collaborating with graduate students to gain valuable research, communication, and experimental skills.

Skills required:
- Currently pursuing a degree in Civil Engineering, Materials Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a related technical field.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
- Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
- Proficient in using analysis and presentation tools such as Microsoft packages.
- Proficient in and eager to expand knowledge in machine learning techniques with strong interest.
- Basic understanding of programming such as Matlab, Python, and R
- A strong interest in transportation planning and engineering and eagerness to learn about new materials and technology.

Research area: • Dr. El-Hacha has pioneered the use of Fibre Reinforced Polymers in new constructions and strengthening structures. His work has led to enhanced structural performance and longevity, providing more sustainable and resilient infrastructure solutions. • He's been at the forefront of integrating smart materials, including Shape Memory Alloys, in construction, enabling structures to adapt to environmental changes and self-repair, thus significantly improving their lifespan and reducing maintenance costs. • His research on Ultra-High Performance Concrete has driven advancements in bridges and modular construction, offering unprecedented strength and durability. His work has set new standards for UHPC in the construction industry.

Student roles:
The student will play a critical role in all phases of this research project, from literature review and experimental testing to finite element modelling and design optimization. Initially, the student will conduct a comprehensive review of existing literature on prestressed and non-prestressed concrete railway crossties, focusing on current standards, failure modes, and limitations of conventional high-strength concrete ties. This review will guide the development of innovative CNF-UHPC crosstie designs.
In the experimental phase, the student will be responsible for preparing full-scale CNF-UHPC crossties, including batching, mixing, and casting the nano-fibre-reinforced concrete under controlled conditions. The student will assemble formwork, place reinforcement, and cure specimens to meet the required performance criteria. They will instrument the crossties with sensors (strain gauges, LVDTs), configure data acquisition systems, and execute static and cyclic load testing to evaluate performance under simulated railway loading conditions. Accurate documentation and inspection of damage or failure modes are essential tasks.
Concurrently, the student will develop and calibrate a finite element (FE) model of the crossties using ABAQUS. The experimental data will be used to validate the model, which will then be employed to conduct advanced numerical simulations and parametric studies for optimizing crosstie design. The student will also explore implementing and interpreting embedded structural health monitoring systems for condition assessment and predictive maintenance.
Throughout the project, the student will analyze and synthesize test data, generate technical reports, and contribute to publications and presentations. This role requires a highly motivated individual with strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently and collaboratively. The student will gain valuable research experience in advanced materials, structural testing, and railway infrastructure, contributing directly to advancing sustainable, cost-effective, and high-performance railway systems.

Skills required:
The student should possess laboratory skills relevant to the structural testing of concrete elements and be capable of preparing CNF-UHPC mixes with precise control of mix proportions. Hands-on experience preparing concrete specimens, including formwork assembly and reinforcement placement, is essential. Skills in structural testing protocols, instrumentation and data acquisition systems are necessary to ensure accurate, real-time monitoring of structural responses under load. Familiarity with FEM is highly desirable for simulating and optimizing crosstie behaviour. Strong analytical thinking, report writing, and presentation skills are required. Interest in advanced materials and sustainable infrastructure solutions is a key asset for this research.

Research area: Research involves comprehensive experimentation, extensive numerical/finite element/analytical/design-oriented analyses, neural network/AI modelling, non-destructive testing, life cycle analysis of materials/structures and development of computer aided machine learning intelligent system. Research include: use of nano-materials/nano-technology/polymers/wastes/volcanic materials/underused materials/CO2 sequestration in cement and concrete composites, high-ultra high performance concrete, self-consolidating concrete, ductile engineered concrete, smart self-healing/self-sensing materials, zero-cement based geopolymer/alkali-activated binder/concrete, development of innovative high performance resilient structural systems RC and composite structural systems for bridge/building/nuclear infrastructure applications and rehabilitation of structures.

Student roles:
Conduct experimental testing, theoretical modeling, data processing, data analysis, literature review and designing of components/materials. Use computer, loading machine, data acquisition system, concrete making/casting tools, fabrication tools, instrumentation tools and various software’s. Write technical report and make Presentation (first week to pen-ultimate week). The student will be interacting with the research team which includes graduate (PhD and MASc) students and post-doctoral fellows/visiting scholars as well as various industrial partners. In addition, student will develop analytical, critical thinking, group working, self-motivation, language skill and inter-personnel skills throughout the duration of internship.

Skills required:
A civil engineering student preferably having background in concrete materials, strength of materials and structural anlysis/design. Also having analytical/critical thinking/ group working, communication, experimentation and computer (such as WORD, Excell etc.) skills. Experience related to finite element modelling and other engineering design/analysis software's will be considered as an asset.

Research area: Dr. Sennah conducted innovative research on the development of: (i) prefabricated bridge elements and connection technologies to accelerate bridge construction, (ii) crashworthy and cost-effective bridge barrier for sustainable construction using glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars, (iii) precast bridge barriers to accelerate bridge replacement, and (iv) reliable expression of limiting spans to accommodate temperature changes and truck load distribution in integral abutment bridges, and (v) cost-effective and accelerated FRP repair strategy to bridge girders damaged by vehicle impact.

Student roles:
Position Duties and Responsibilities: 1- read the literature review prepared by the supervisor along with the design provisions in the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code; 2- perform the parametric study on different bridge deck configurations and truck loading conditions; 3- analyze results from the parametric study in the form of figures and tables; and 4- write a technical report near the end of the intern period.
Research Experience and Opportunities Offered to the student: 1- The student will gain valuable research experience in structural analysis using a computer software; 2- The student will acquire general understanding of bridge deck analysis and design using the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code; 3- The student will enhance their teamwork skills through interaction with other members of the research team, and networking through frequent meetings.

Skills required:
The student must be finishing their third year and going to the fourth year of the civil engineering program at the time of the internship. The student must have learned the basics in structural analysis of structures. The knowledge of structural analysis software, such as SAP2000 software is an asset but not mandatory. Training on the use of the software in selected bridge deck configurations will be offered at the beginning of the research program.

Research area: In collaboration with Ontario Ministry of Transportation, Dr. Sennah conducted innovative research on the development of: (i) prefabricated bridge elements and connection technologies to accelerate bridge construction, (ii) crashworthy and cost-effective bridge barrier for sustainable construction using glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars, (iii) precast bridge barriers to accelerate bridge replacement, and (iv) reliable expression of limiting spans to accommodate temperature changes and truck load distribution in integral abutment bridges, and (v) cost-effective and accelerated FRP repair strategy to bridge girders damaged by vehicle impact.

Student roles:
1- Read about the characteristics of corrosive-resistant GFRP bars as opposed to reinforcing steel bars and then write a report about the similarities and differences. Read concrete barrier design using the Canadian Highway Bridge Design Code (CHBDC, 2025).
2- Assist in performing experiments in the structures lab on full-scale bridge barrier specimens reinforced with GFRP bars.
3- Aid with data entry and collection, operating equipment under the direct supervision of members of Dr. Sennah’s research team, as well as laboratory technicians.
4- Assist in writing the technical report near the end of the hiring period.

Research Experience and Opportunities Offered to the student:
1- The student will gain valuable research experience in a laboratory environment in areas such as data analysis and laboratory experimental testing. He will be exposed to CHBDC for barrier design and ASTM test methods. This is in addition to reading about the current status of Ontario bridges and the MTO policy to maintain bridge infrastructure.
2- The student will acquire a general understanding of concrete materials in the construction industry, the difference between reinforcing steel and the new generation of rust-free GFRP bars that would eliminate the considerable cost of transportation infrastructure’s maintenance, thus optimizing the use of taxpayers’ money.
3- The student will enhance his teamwork skills through interaction with my research team and networking through frequent meetings with the GFRP manufacturers and the staff of Ontario Ministry of Transportation.

Skills required:
The student may be physically able to work in the laboratory. The student must be finishing their third year and going to the fourth year of the civil engineering program at the time of the internship. The student must have learned the basics in structural analysis of structures. The knowledge of structural analysis software, such as SAP2000 software is an asset but not mandatory. Training on the use of the software in selected bridge deck configurations will be offered at the beginning of the research program.

Research area: My research interests include biological wastewater treatment, removal of contaminants of emerging concern from wastewater, wastewater biorefinery (resource recovery from wastewater), process intensification of drinking water biofiltration, and biochar-based water treatment systems,

Student roles:
The students will receive training on the operation of a biofilter system for water treatment, and will work with my current graduate student to successfully run the system. Additionally, the intern will perform routine water sampling and analyses (turbidity, dissolved organic carbon, solids analyses, pH, etc) in the environmental engineering lab at UNBC. The intern will be involved in literature review, presentations during research meetings, and preparation of mid- and final-program reports. The intern will also receive professional development training to develop salient skills.

Skills required:
Students with a strong environmental engineering background, good laboratory practices, water and wastewater analysis, understanding of environmental microbiology, scientific communication skills, and ability to work without friction in a team are desired.

Research area: • Dr. El-Hacha has pioneered the use of Fibre Reinforced Polymers in new constructions and strengthening structures. His work has led to enhanced structural performance and longevity, providing more sustainable and resilient infrastructure solutions. • He's been at the forefront of integrating smart materials, including Shape Memory Alloys, in construction, enabling structures to adapt to environmental changes and self-repair, thus significantly improving their lifespan and reducing maintenance costs. • His research on Ultra-High Performance Concrete has driven advancements in bridges and modular construction, offering unprecedented strength and durability. His work has set new standards for UHPC in the construction industry.

Student roles:
The student will play a central role in executing the experimental investigation and digital image correlation (DIC) analysis of confined concrete columns under uniaxial compression. The primary responsibility will be to assist in designing and conducting full-scale compression tests on concrete specimens confined using CFRP wraps, Fe-SMA plates, and UHPC jackets. This includes preparing cylindrical specimens, applying different confinement systems accurately, and assisting in load testing under standardized conditions using a universal testing machine.

A major focus of the role is on the implementation of the DIC technique. The student will be responsible for preparing high-quality speckle patterns on the specimen surfaces, setting up the DIC system (including camera alignment, calibration, and lighting), and capturing image sequences during axial loading. The student will process the captured images using DIC software to extract full-field strain maps and analyze axial and lateral strain distributions. This detailed strain data will be used to evaluate failure progression, confinement efficiency, and localized behavioural differences among the different confinement types and strategies.

In addition to DIC analysis, the student will contribute to interpreting experimental results, identifying failure modes, and comparing passive (CFRP, UHPC) versus active (Fe-SMA) confinement systems. The student will also document experimental protocols, organize datasets, generate plots and heatmaps, and assist in preparing manuscripts, conference papers, or presentations.

The role demands a student with meticulous attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and an aptitude for data analysis. Prior experience with experimental concrete testing and imaging systems is an asset. The project offers valuable experience in advanced measurement techniques, performance-based assessment of structural elements, and research dissemination—skills that are vital for future academic or industry roles in structural materials and monitoring technologies.

Skills required:
The student should have a background in structural engineering with a strong understanding of concrete behaviour under axial loading. Hands-on experience with experimental testing of concrete specimens and familiarity with confinement techniques using CFRP, Fe-SMA, or UHPC is essential. The student must be skilled in using Digital Image Correlation (DIC) systems, including camera setup, speckle pattern preparation, image acquisition, and post-processing using DIC software. Knowledge of strain analysis, failure mode characterization, and data interpretation is critical. Strong documentation, analytical, and communication skills are also required for reporting findings and contributing to technical publications.

Research area: My research focuses on the digital transformation of construction, with an emphasis on offsite and modular construction systems. This includes Building Information Modeling (BIM), digital twins, and simulation-based production planning to improve efficiency, quality, and resilience. The research integrates engineering workflows with data-driven methods to enable real-time decision-making across design, manufacturing, logistics, and onsite installation. A key objective is to bridge physical construction processes with interoperable digital platforms. The work is supported through international academic and industry collaborations, advancing smart construction and industrialized building systems across different global contexts.

Student roles:
The student will play an active role in developing and implementing components of the digital twin framework, while gaining hands-on experience in digital construction technologies within an international research environment. The project is designed to provide both technical training and exposure to global construction practices.

The student will begin with a structured literature review on BIM integration, digital twins, and simulation in construction and manufacturing systems. This will establish the theoretical and methodological foundation for the project. The student will then support the development of BIM-based models and assist in translating these models into simulation environments. Tasks will include modeling production workflows, preparing and cleaning datasets, and implementing simulation logic to represent modular factory operations and logistics processes.

The student will also contribute to data integration and analysis, including processing production or quality control data and developing visualization outputs (e.g., dashboards). Where appropriate, the student will explore data-driven approaches, such as regression or introductory machine learning techniques, to enhance predictive capabilities of the digital twin.

An important component of the role is participation in international collaboration activities, such as joint meetings, comparative analysis of case studies, and knowledge exchange with partner institutions. This will provide the student with a broader understanding of construction practices across different regions.

The student will regularly present progress, contribute to technical documentation, and support academic outputs such as reports or publications. By the end of the internship, the student will have developed practical skills in BIM, simulation, and data-driven modeling, while contributing to impactful research in smart construction and industrialized building systems.

Skills required:
The ideal student will have a background in civil engineering, construction engineering/management, or a related discipline, with an interest in digital technologies. Familiarity with BIM tools (e.g., Revit), programming (e.g., Python), or data analysis is desirable. Exposure to simulation methods (e.g., AnyLogic, Simio) or willingness to learn is important. Basic knowledge of databases, visualization tools (e.g., Power BI), or machine learning concepts is an asset. The student should demonstrate strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and an interest in interdisciplinary and international research collaboration.

Research area: My expertise and research focus on the assessment of structural behavior of concrete structure and material-structure interaction of aging concrete structures. My research interests include innovative concretes and their structural implications dans durability, safety and reliability assessment and strengthening of damaged and ageing concrete structures.

Student roles:
The intern will join a team of researchers working on the structural behavior of concrete structures. The intern will interact with other graduate students in the research team and
will be responsible for a series of specific objectives assigned to him/her. Anticipated tasks include:
- Conduct a brief literature review;
- Simulate the behavior of an existing bridge and its degradation;
- Test critical structural elements;
- Present the results obtained.

This project may eventually be pursued in graduate studies.

Skills required:
- Initiative;
- Self-starter;
- Creative;
- Rigorous;
- Basic knowledge of reinforced concrete structures;
- Basic knowledge of structural analysis, design and modeling an asset.

Research area: My research focuses on construction management and the digitalization of offsite (modular) construction systems, with an emphasis on production planning, supply chain integration, and economic decision-making. This includes modeling of manufacturing–logistics–installation processes, cost and productivity analysis, and risk-informed planning under uncertainty. The work combines engineering methods with data-driven and simulation-based approaches to evaluate project performance and optimize resource allocation. A key objective is to develop decision-support frameworks that improve efficiency, cost predictability, and scalability of industrialized construction systems, particularly in complex and resource-constrained environments.

Student roles:
The student will contribute to the development of economic and supply chain models for offsite construction, while gaining hands-on experience in applied construction management research. The project is structured to provide both theoretical understanding and practical modeling skills.

The student will begin by conducting a literature review on offsite construction supply chains, cost modeling, and risk analysis methods. This will establish a foundation for understanding key cost drivers, supply chain structures, and decision-making challenges in modular construction.

Building on this foundation, the student will assist in developing cost and supply chain models. Tasks may include collecting and organizing data, defining cost components (e.g., manufacturing, transportation, installation), and constructing analytical or simulation-based models to evaluate project performance under different scenarios. The student will also support the implementation of uncertainty analysis, such as Monte Carlo simulation, to assess risks and variability in project outcomes.

The student will analyze model outputs to identify key factors influencing cost, schedule, and efficiency, and will explore alternative strategies for improving supply chain performance. This may include evaluating different production configurations, logistics strategies, or procurement approaches.

In addition, the student will contribute to data visualization and reporting, helping to translate technical results into clear insights for decision-making. The student will participate in regular meetings, present progress updates, and assist in preparing research outputs such as reports or publications.

By the end of the internship, the student will have developed skills in construction economics, supply chain modeling, and quantitative analysis, while contributing to research that supports more efficient and resilient offsite construction systems.

Skills required:
The ideal student will have a background in civil engineering, construction management, industrial engineering, or a related field. Familiarity with basic project management concepts, cost analysis, or supply chain principles is desirable. Experience with data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, Python) is beneficial, and exposure to simulation or optimization methods is an asset but not required. The student should have strong analytical and problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and an interest in applying quantitative methods to real-world construction and infrastructure challenges.

Research area: My specialized research area focuses on sustainable geoenvironmental engineering, specifically investigating the use of carbon-rich geomaterials to improve soil physical, mechanical, and hydraulic properties. We aim to optimize these sustainable soil amendments for applications in agricultural enhancement, green infrastructure, and climate-resilient stormwater management systems by conducting rigorous laboratory testing and field-scale monitorin

Student roles:
The student will act as a core experimental researcher for this project. Their primary role will involve sample preparation, laboratory testing, and data analysis. Daily tasks will include drying, sieving, and characterizing soil and biochar materials. They will prepare specific soil-biochar mixtures and carefully compact them into testing molds to ensure consistent bulk density. The student will be responsible for operating laboratory equipment to measure saturated hydraulic conductivity and soil water characteristic curves (SWCC) under the guidance of the supervisor and graduate students. Beyond physical testing, the student will diligently record all experimental data, perform basic statistical analyses, and plot SWCC and permeability graphs. They will participate in weekly research meetings to present their findings, troubleshoot experimental challenges, and relate their results to existing scientific literature. By the end of the internship, the student will compile their procedures and results into a comprehensive technical report and present their findings to the research group.

Skills required:
The ideal candidate should be pursuing an undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Soil Science, or a closely related field. Foundational knowledge of soil mechanics, hydrogeology, or environmental science is highly desirable. Experience working in a laboratory setting, particularly with geotechnical or soil testing equipment, is considered a strong asset but not strictly required. The student must possess strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a willingness to handle soil and biochar materials safely in a lab environment.

Research area: My specialized research area focuses on sustainable geoenvironmental engineering and soil physics, particularly the thermal and hydraulic behavior of engineered soils. We investigate the use of carbon-rich sustainable materials, like biochar, to optimize soil properties for applications in geothermal energy systems (such as ground source heat pumps), agricultural microclimate regulation, and climate-resilient green infrastructure. Our lab combines rigorous laboratory testing with analytical modeling to understand coupled heat and mass transfer in amended soils.

Student roles:
The student will act as a core experimental researcher for this project, leading sample preparation, laboratory testing, and data analysis. Daily tasks will include drying, sieving, and characterizing raw soil and biochar materials. They will prepare specific soil-biochar mixtures, carefully compacting them into testing cylinders at targeted bulk densities and moisture contents. The student will be responsible for operating thermal property analyzers (such as a KD2 Pro or TEMPOS thermal needle probe) to measure thermal conductivity and heat capacity under the guidance of the supervisor. Beyond physical testing, the student will diligently record all experimental data, perform basic statistical analyses, and generate thermal behavior curves mapping conductivity against moisture content. They will participate in weekly research meetings to present their findings, troubleshoot experimental challenges, and relate their results to existing scientific literature on heat transfer in porous media. By the end of the internship, the student will compile their procedures and results into a comprehensive technical report and present their findings to the research group.

Skills required:
The ideal candidate should be pursuing an undergraduate degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Soil Science, or Earth Sciences. Foundational knowledge of soil mechanics, thermodynamics, or heat transfer is highly desirable. Experience working in a laboratory setting, particularly with geotechnical equipment or sensor data acquisition, is a strong asset. The student must possess strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a willingness to handle soil and biochar materials safely in a controlled lab environment.

Research area: My research focuses on the experimental investigation of reinforced concrete structures incorporating innovative, sustainable materials. Specifically, I study the behavior of elements reinforced with non-metallic materials such as fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) bars, fibre-reinforced concrete (FRC), and lightweight concrete (LWC). The objective is to enhance structural performance, durability, and sustainability, particularly in harsh environmental conditions. My work aims to inform design and construction practices that extend the service life of infrastructure while reducing maintenance costs and environmental impact. Experimental testing plays a central role in achieving these goals.

Student roles:
The student will contribute to an experimental research project focused on the performance of two-way concrete slabs reinforced with glass fibre-reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars and containing openings near column connections. Under my supervision, the student will contribute to a dedicated subtask related to slab behavior and opening effects. They will assist with specimen preparation, instrumentation, testing, data collection, and analysis. The student will also conduct independent research on a related aspect of the project and contribute to technical documentation. This internship offers hands-on experience in structural testing and insight into cutting-edge research addressing a critical gap in current design codes.

Skills required:
The ideal student should have a solid understanding of basic structural engineering principles, including statics, mechanics of materials, structural analysis, and theory of structures. A background in reinforced concrete design is essential. Familiarity with software such as Microsoft Office (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and AutoCAD is important. Although not necessary, prior involvement in materials or structural testing is a strong asset. Strong technical writing skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently and as part of a research team are also highly desirable.

Research area: Dr. Annan specializes in sustainable infrastructure and the development of resilient structural and geostructural systems under extreme loading conditions, including earthquakes. His current research activities include developing practical engineering solutions to enhance the design and performance of different structural systems including dams, retaining walls. Dr. Annan currently chairs the Steel Structures Committee of the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering and he is an associate professional - professor of the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction. He is a researcher in two strategic inter-university research clusters, the Research Center on Structures under Extreme Loading (CEISCE) and Aluminium Research Center (REGAL).

Student roles:
The student will be required to work both individually and in a team with graduate students. Students will be required to quickly review existing literature and previous studies on the subject of soil-structure interaction (SSI) effect on structural design and performance. Armed with this knowledge and understanding, they will be required to select appropriate structural analysis software (eg. OpenSees, Abaqus) to begin structural modeling and analysis. Previous knowledge or experience in the use of structural analysis software will facilitate the execution of the project immensely. An extensive parametric studies will then be carried out in order to quantify the effect of SSI on structural behavior. Students will be guided through the different stages of the project.

The student will have an opportunity to meet and interact with renowned researchers through participation in seminars and conferences organised by the research centers that Dr. Annan belongs to, such as the research center on structures under extreme loading (CEISCE).

Skills required:
A senior civil engineering undergraduate with a special interest in earthquake engineering is required for this project. The project will involve extensive structural and geotechnical modeling and analysis using some contemporary structural and geotechnical analysis and other seismic analysis software. A civil engineering background or interest is therefore preferred.

Research area: Our research focuses on the sustainability and resilience of the built environment, with emphasis on lifecycle carbon assessment of urban building stocks. We investigate embodied and end-of-life carbon emissions across different building typologies, using structural and material data to inform low-carbon design strategies. By integrating building archetype classification, lifecycle assessment (LCA) frameworks, and data-driven methods, our work aims to provide actionable insights that guide sustainable city planning and enable climate-conscious decision-making in the construction sector, ultimately reducing carbon footprints and fostering more resilient urban environments.

Student roles:
The intern will play an active and hands-on role in supporting ongoing research on lifecycle carbon assessment of urban building stocks. Working closely with the research team, the intern will take ownership of specific tasks while contributing to the group's broader goals around sustainable and resilient cities.
Specifically, the intern will be responsible for:
• Building Archetype Classification: Reviewing existing literature and databases to identify and classify building typologies relevant to the study area, organized by structural system, construction material, age, occupancy type, and scale
• Data Collection and Organization: Gathering and structuring data on material quantities and structural elements for representative building archetypes, contributing to a reusable research dataset
• Literature Review: Surveying current methodologies for embodied and end-of-life carbon assessment, summarizing key frameworks (such as EN 15978) and identifying best practices applicable to the project
• Carbon Assessment Support: Assisting in estimating carbon intensities for selected building typologies using available tools, databases, and assessment frameworks
• Reporting: Preparing a structured summary report documenting findings, methodology, and recommendations for future research directions
Throughout the internship, the student will participate in regular meetings with the supervising researcher and the broader research group, contributing to discussions and receiving mentorship on research methods and sustainability concepts. The intern is expected to work independently on assigned tasks, manage their time effectively across the 12-week program, and communicate progress clearly and consistently.
This role offers an opportunity to develop expertise in lifecycle assessment, sustainable construction, and data-driven research methods within a collaborative academic environment.

Skills required:
The ideal candidate is an undergraduate or graduate student in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or a related field. A solid understanding of construction materials, structural systems, and building design is essential. Familiarity with lifecycle assessment (LCA) concepts or environmental sustainability is an asset, but not required. Basic data organization and literature review skills are expected. Experience with programming (Python, MATLAB) or data analysis tools is beneficial. The candidate should be self-motivated, detail-oriented, and eager to engage with interdisciplinary research at the intersection of structural engineering and environmental sustainability.

Research area: I specialize in performance-based safety assessment, vulnerability evaluation, and multi-hazard analysis of critical infrastructure. My research focuses on improving resilience to extreme events and climate change by integrating infrastructure equity, community resilience, and climate justice. I also use data science to connect built, natural, and social systems, with the goal of developing holistic approaches to infrastructure risk, adaptation, and environmental challenges.

Student roles:
For an undergraduate student, this project offers a hands-on role in an interdisciplinary effort at the intersection of earthquake engineering, community engagement, and visual communication. Depending on the student’s background, the role may involve contributing to pre-production, production, and post-production of educational videos on earthquake-resistant construction, while helping translate technical knowledge into clear, practical, and accessible content for non-technical audiences.

A student with a civil, structural, or seismic engineering background will play a particularly important role. This student will help review and refine technical content, ensure that the videos accurately explain earthquake-resistant principles, and develop practical examples and analogies that make engineering concepts understandable to broad audiences. In line with the project’s use of the EERI World Housing Encyclopedia (WHE) as a technical foundation, the student may also work closely with the WHE project to review construction-type reports from around the world and help organize that knowledge across categories such as material, structural system, number of stories, and construction cost, in order to build a broader understanding of the range of construction practices and their seismic implications. This work supports the larger mission of sharing lessons from different construction types and encouraging the use of earthquake-resistant technologies worldwide.

Students with a background or interest in communication, media, or digital storytelling could contribute to script development, filming, editing, and the creation of visually engaging educational content. Students may also support subtitles, graphics, and other accessibility features to help the videos reach broader audiences.
More broadly, the student will be part of a multidisciplinary team working to translate engineering knowledge into clear, practical, and culturally sensitive learning materials. This role is especially well suited to students interested in seismic resilience, sustainable construction and science communication.

Skills required:
A background in civil, structural, and/or seismic engineering is the most important requirement, as the project centers on the technical content of earthquake-resistant construction. Knowledge of GIS would be an asset, and experience with Python and/or MATLAB for data analysis and visualization would also be valuable. In addition, experience in communication, film studies, or a related field, with skills in digital filmmaking, media production, and digital storytelling, would be highly beneficial. These communication and media skills could be brought by the same student or by another student involved in the project.

Research area: My research focuses on earthquake engineering and sustainable infrastructure, with emphasis on the seismic response and environmental impact of nonstructural components (NSCs) in buildings. These elements contribute significantly to material use and embodied carbon. The research studies how seismic demands such as drift and acceleration lead to damage and repair needs, affecting environmental performance.

Student roles:
The student will be actively involved in developing a simplified approach to evaluate how anchored nonstructural components behave during earthquakes and how this relates to environmental impact. The project will start with a short literature review to become familiar with key concepts such as drift, acceleration, and common damage mechanisms in components like partitions, façades, and equipment.
The student will then build simple models that connect seismic demands (such as drift and acceleration) to different levels of damage. These damage levels will be used to estimate repair or replacement needs, and from there, to evaluate simple environmental indicators like material use and carbon footprint.
Part of the work will involve exploring how changes in parameters influence both damage and environmental impact. The student will analyze the results, create clear plots, and identify key trends.
Throughout the project, the student will document their work and present the results in a final report and presentation. The work will be carried out under supervision in a structured and supportive research environment, with guidance provided at each step.

Skills required:
Final-year undergraduate student in civil engineering or related field. Basic knowledge of structural mechanics and dynamics. Familiarity with Python, MATLAB, or Excel is an asset. Interest in sustainability and earthquake engineering. Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. Experience in numerical modeling is helpful but not required.

Research area: Sustainable and resilient civil infrastructure

Student roles:
The student's role will primarily focus on one or more of the following tasks: literature review, ArcGIS analysis, data analysis, mapping, critical thinking & framework development. The student will need to write a report of their research findings as a minimum and depending on the outcome of the research findings, the student will be encouraged to contribute to a conference/journal paper.

Skills required:
The student will require one or more of the following skills/background: ArcGIS, data analysis, mapping tools, soil mechanics/geotechnical engineering

Research area: My research is to develop newer structural health monitoring and retrofitting techniques for large-scale structures under natural disasters. Civil structures are subjected to a wide range of excitation including wind, earthquake and human-induced vibration. With aging of the structures, such excitation causes significant damage and structural failure. Therefore, it is very important to timely diagnose these systems and predict any damage or faulty behaviour using the measured vibration data or images of the structures. Such methods enable efficient monitoring of structures and avoid any catastrophic failures under extreme climatic events.

Student roles:
This project is a mix of both theoretical and experimental work where the intern will be actively involved to:
(a) Explore different damage detection methods such that decision about the rehabilitation can be undertaken based on the measured vibration/image data of the structure.
(b) Implement and validate the methodology through different simulation models using MATLAB.
(c) Explore new control technique to mitigate unwanted vibration in experimental models and full-scale structures.
(d) Work with the graduate students of my research team, and publish articles in peer-reviewed journal papers.

Skills required:
The intern should have a strong interest in structural engineering. A preliminary knowledge in structural dynamics and finite element modeling is a prerequisite. Programming skills in Matlab or C will be preferred, but not mandatory.

Research area: In the field of civil engineering, a significant focus lies on assessing the safety of road infrastructures. Civil engineers strive to develop roadways and intersections that mitigate the severity of collisions and reduce the risk of injuries when accidents do happen. Ensuring road safety is paramount due to the substantial public health implications associated with fatalities and injuries resulting from traffic accidents. Consequently, my research is centered on identifying road design and operational options that emphasize safety, implementing elements in design and operations to enhance safety across all sections of roads, and tackling safety issues at current road locations.

Student roles:
The student will play an integral role in the research process, participating in both data analysis and modeling stages. This engagement is designed not only to inspire the student to pursue further studies in graduate research but also to provide valuable research training applicable to future career paths. Additionally, opportunities may arise during fieldwork or group meetings for the intern to engage with university, industry, and/or government professionals, further enriching their experience and expanding their network.

Skills required:
• Currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering (or equivalent degree)
• Coursework in transportation/highway engineering.
• Proficient in using MS Office, including Word, Excel, with exposure to other computer software in engineering.
• Candidates must be able to work independently and as part of a team.

Research area: Dr. Cui has been involved in extensive applied research in the area of geotechnical engineering and mining engineering for more than ten years. His research focuses on the reliable and accurate assessment and prediction of the behaviour of porous geomaterials including cementitious materials, soils, and rock under complex multiphysics loading conditions through mathematical modelling and experimental methods. Current research addresses the multiscale, multiphysics, and multiphase processes related to mine backfill technology, carbon geo-sequestration technology, problematic soils, and rock mechanics. A series of advanced mathematical and experimental tools have been developed for the engineering application.

Student roles:
The research student will conduct the experimental study based on the research plan. To achieve the research objective and anticipated results, the supervisor will schedule weekly one-on-one meeting during the period of this internship at Lakehead University. The research student is required to attend the meeting. In addition, the research student is required to deliver presentation in the supervisor’s research group meeting and report his/her research progress. Corresponding to the three components of this research project, the student is required to complete the following research tasks: 1) prepare the Rock-FR-CPB specimen for DSTs for different testing scenarios; 2) design and conduct the mold-based monitoring program; 3) conduct the SEM analysis at Lakehead University. After the student completes the specified research tasks and obtains correct results, the student needs to conduct the analysis of measured data. Then, the research student is required to submit a project report based on the obtained results and deliver a final presentation in his/her supervisor’s research group.

Skills required:
This research student is restricted to a senior undergraduate student in Civil Engineering or Mining Engineering program. The applicant has strong interest in the research work in the field of geotechnical engineering. The applicant is required to have the laboratory experience in his/her undergraduate study and is familiar with cementitious material (e.g., concrete). In addition, student is required to have excellent written and spoken command of English.

Research area: I specialize in performance-based safety assessment, vulnerability evaluation, and multi-hazard analysis of critical infrastructure. My research focuses on improving resilience to extreme events and climate change by integrating infrastructure equity, community resilience, and climate justice. I also use data science to connect built, natural, and social systems, with the goal of developing holistic approaches to infrastructure risk, adaptation, and environmental challenges.

Student roles:
Depending on the student’s background and interests, tasks may include supporting the collection, organization, and analysis of historical flood data for Pajaro levee (California, USA), including statistical analysis and GIS-based mapping to better understand flood exposure and impacts on disadvantaged communities.
The student may also assist with the analysis of projected climate and hydrologic data, and help process information gathered through interviews and focus groups with affected residents and stakeholders. This includes organizing qualitative findings and translating them into structured information that can be used to improve the flood risk management framework.
In addition, the student may contribute to the review of literature and case studies on alternative flood management strategies, such as levee setbacks, overtopping levees, and non-structural solutions. They may help compare these options in terms of technical feasibility, cost-effectiveness, environmental performance, social impacts, and implications for equity and community displacement.
The student may also support the use of physics-based numerical models to estimate levee failure time under different flood events, with the goal of better understanding how much time communities may have to evacuate under different scenarios. They may also help prepare figures, maps, summaries, presentations, and reports, and contribute to the development of a decision-making framework that prioritizes sustainable, equitable, and resilient flood management solutions. This role is intended to be adapted to the level of an undergraduate intern and will provide hands-on experience in applied research with direct relevance to real-world infrastructure and community challenges.

Skills required:
I am looking for students with an interest in flood risk management, climate resilience, and community-centered infrastructure planning. Experience with GIS and MATLAB and/or Python is required for spatial analysis, data processing, and visualization. Students should also be comfortable helping organize and analyze information from interviews and focus groups with affected communities, and translating qualitative findings into structured data that can inform the flood risk management framework. Background in civil or environmental engineering, hydrology, climate adaptation, or data analysis would be an asset, along with strong communication skills and interest in interdisciplinary, applied research.

Research area: Dr. Cui has been involved in extensive applied research in the area of geotechnical engineering and mining engineering for more than ten years. His research focuses on the reliable and accurate assessment and prediction of the behaviour of porous geomaterials including cementitious materials, soils, and rock under complex multiphysics loading conditions through mathematical modelling and experimental methods. Current research addresses the multiscale, multiphysics, and multiphase processes related to mine backfill technology, carbon geo-sequestration technology, problematic soils, and rock mechanics. A series of advanced mathematical and experimental tools have been developed for the engineering application.

Student roles:
The research student will conduct the experimental study based on the research plan. To achieve the research objective and anticipated results, the supervisor will schedule weekly one-on-one meeting during the period of this internship at Lakehead University. The research student is required to attend the meeting. In addition, the research student is required to deliver presentation in the supervisor’s research group meeting and report his/her research progress. Corresponding to the three components of this research project, the student is required to complete the following research tasks: 1) prepare the FR-CPB specimen for TPBTs; 2) design and conduct the small-scale (specimen mold-based) monitoring program; 3) conduct the SEM analysis at Lakehead University. After the student completes the specified research tasks and obtains correct results, the student needs to conduct the analysis of measured data. Then, the research student is required to submit a project report based on the obtained results and deliver a final presentation in his/her supervisor’s research group.

Skills required:
This research student is restricted to a senior undergraduate student in Civil Engineering or Mining Engineering program. The applicant has strong interest in the research work in the field of geotechnical engineering. The applicant is required to have the laboratory experience in his/her undergraduate study and is familiar with cementitious material (e.g., concrete). In addition, the student is required to have excellent written and spoken command of English.

Research area: geosynthetics, paved and unpaved roads

Student roles:
assist the PhD or MASc student in conducting the experiments including sample preparation, instrumentation, data collection, and data analysis.

Skills required:
Civil engineering
Geotechnical engineering
transportation engineering

Research area: My research focuses on environmental hydraulics, mainly on air-water flows, bubble dynamics, and gas transfer in natural and engineered aquatic systems. I also work on river hydraulics, sediment transport, and fish passage and habitat. My group combines laboratory experiments in indoor flumes and an outdoor experimental river with numerical modelling, addressing applied problems in aquatic ecosystem restoration, hydraulic infrastructure, and water resources engineering.

Student roles:
The student will be a hands-on member of our hydraulics laboratory and will run the experiments with close support from the supervisor and graduate students. Main tasks will be to:

Set up and operate a bench-scale tank used to study gas transfer;
Prepare oxygen-depleted water and run reaeration tests, where the water slowly takes oxygen back from the air;
Calibrate and use dissolved gas sensors to record how gas concentration changes over time;
Vary controlled conditions, such as the level of surface stirring, temperature, and surface area, and observe their effect;
Analyze data with spreadsheets and simple curve-fitting to calculate the gas transfer velocity;
Keep a clear, organized lab notebook and follow all safety procedures.

The student will join group meetings to share progress, and will summarize findings in a short report and present to the research group in the final weeks. The student will have gained experimental research experience and skills that can carry into graduate studies.

Skills required:
The student should be enrolled in civil, hydraulic, environmental, mechanical, water resources, or chemical engineering, environmental sciences, or a related discipline. A basic background in fluid mechanics or chemistry is helpful. The important qualities are curiosity, patient and careful lab work, and reliability when collecting measurements. The student should be comfortable using spreadsheets to organize data, some experience with Python or MATLAB for plotting and simple curve-fitting is an asset.

Research area: Mine tailings storage facilities in cold regions are vulnerable to instability caused by freeze-thaw cycles, which can weaken tailings deposits and increase contaminant release. This project at UNBC's Geo-SMART Research Lab will investigate geopolymer-based stabilization strategies to improve the strength, stability, and freeze-thaw durability of mine tailings while reducing chemical toxicity and contaminant mobility. Laboratory testing will evaluate geotechnical performance, environmental safety, and long-term durability using mechanical, leaching, and microstructural analyses. The findings will support the development of sustainable, low-carbon approaches for enhancing tailings dam resilience and promoting safer mine waste management in northern environments.

Student roles:
The primary responsibilities of the Mitacs GRI will include preparing geopolymer-treated tailings specimens using different binder formulations and curing conditions, and conducting geotechnical laboratory tests to evaluate their engineering performance. These tests will include Unconfined Compressive Strength (UCS), shear strength, hydraulic conductivity, and compressibility assessments. They will also participate in controlled freeze-thaw experiments to simulate northern climate conditions and assess the long-term durability of stabilized tailings materials.

In addition to geotechnical testing, the intern will receive training in advanced environmental and microstructural characterization techniques, including Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray analysis (SEM-EDX), and X-ray Diffraction (XRD), using facilities available at UNBC's Northern Analytical Laboratory Services (NALS). The intern will also assist with chemical characterization and leaching assessments to evaluate the immobilization of potentially harmful elements and the environmental safety of the stabilization approach.

Throughout the internship, the intern will receive one-on-one mentorship from Dr. Chinchu Cherian, who will provide regular guidance on research planning, experimental design, data interpretation, and professional development. As this project forms part of an ongoing PhD research project, they will work closely with the PhD student leading the study and will be continuously supported by graduate research students in the Geo-SMART Research Lab. Through this collaborative research environment, the intern will benefit from structured mentorship and peer learning opportunities. The intern will participate in data analysis, interpretation of results, and regular research meetings. The knowledge generated through this project will contribute to the development of sustainable solutions for tailings dam stabilization and responsible mine waste management. The intern will also have the opportunity to contribute to technical reports and the preparation of conference papers or journal manuscripts for dissemination of the research findings.

Skills required:
The ideal Mitacs GRI undergraduate student should be enrolled in a Civil Engineering program with a strong interest in geotechnical, geo-environmental, or mining engineering. The student should have completed foundational coursework in soil mechanics, engineering materials, and laboratory testing methods. Familiarity with concepts related to geotechnical characterization, tailings management, and sustainable infrastructure would be considered an asset.

The student should possess strong analytical and problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary research team. Experience with laboratory work, data collection (MS Excel), and technical report writing is desirable.

Research area: My research focuses on the characterization of bituminous binders to develop High-Performance Asphalt Concrete (HPAC) in Canada. I investigate how specific binder properties influence resistance to fatigue and thermal cracking, which are important causes of road degradation in Quebec’s nordic climate. By analyzing rheological behavior under extreme temperature fluctuations, my work aims to optimize material selection for infrastructure that can withstand heavy traffic and severe cold climate conditions. Ultimately, this research seeks to improve the resilience and service life of northern transportation networks through advanced material science.

Student roles:
Their primary responsibility involves the characterization of bituminous binders, utilizing rheological testing to define the material's fundamental properties. Furthermore, the student will conduct mechanical performance tests on HPAC mixtures, focusing on critical parameters such as complex modulus, fatigue life, or thermal cracking resistance.

Beyond testing, the student will be responsible for data integration, using mechanistic-empirical design approaches to simulate how these materials perform under real-world Quebec traffic and climate conditions. Working within a collaborative research cell, the student will coordinate with MSc peers to ensure data consistency.

The student will acquire the following competencies:
- Advanced testing on bituminous binders.
- Advanced testing on bituminous mixtures.
- Pavement structure design using software based on mechanistic-empirical approaches.

Skills required:
The ideal candidate should study Civil or Materials Engineering. Knowledge in materials science and pavement engineering is desirable. Practical experience in a laboratory setting is highly desirable.

The student must possess strong analytical skills to interpret experimental data. Since the project involves collaboration with a research team, excellent communication skills and the ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary, peer-driven environment are essential.

Research area: My specialized research area is earthquake engineering and structural resilience. My research broadly examines how buildings made of different materials and systems respond to earthquakes, and how their seismic performance can be improved through innovative structural systems, performance-based design methodologies, advanced analysis tools, and code-oriented research. Current research directions include high-performance structural systems, mass timber and hybrid structures, modular construction, resilience-oriented performance-based seismic design, and seismic design provisions in Canadian standards. This work is closely connected to my service on national seismic design and structural standards committees, where I contribute to the development of future design practices for resilient buildings.

Student roles:
The student will support ongoing research on high-performance seismic-resilient structural systems. The specific work will be selected based on the student’s background, interests, and the needs of the research group.

In the first stage, the student will receive an introduction to earthquake engineering, resilience-based design, and selected structural systems currently being studied in Dr. Tong’s research group. The student will review relevant literature, design documents, drawings, or previous research materials to understand the target system and its intended seismic mechanism.

In the second stage, the student will contribute to one or more focused research tasks. Possible activities include developing conceptual or digital models of structural systems, preparing prototype building configurations, summarizing design parameters, organizing numerical or experimental data, producing figures and visualizations, assisting with simplified calculations, or preparing materials for presentations, proposals, publications, or teaching demonstrations.

In the final stage, the student will organize the completed work, prepare a concise technical summary, and deliver a final presentation to the research group. The expected outputs may include a literature summary, modelling files, graphics, data tables, preliminary design notes, or presentation materials.

The student will complete their research tasks under regular supervision. The role does not require the student to independently carry out advanced structural dynamics, advanced computational modelling, or specialized seismic analysis; instead, the internship emphasizes learning, careful execution, engineering judgment, and effective communication of research outcomes.

Skills required:
The student should have a background in civil, structural, architectural, building, or mechanical engineering. Basic knowledge of structural analysis, mechanics of materials, and earthquake engineering is preferred but not mandatory. Experience with CAD, SketchUp, Rhino, Revit, MATLAB, Python, Excel, AI-assisted engineering workflows, or other modelling and data-processing tools would be an asset. The student should be willing to learn new software, read technical literature, communicate clearly, and work independently while receiving regular supervision. Strong interest in resilient buildings, sustainable construction, seismic design, timber structures, steel structures, AI-assisted engineering workflows, or structural innovation is highly desirable.

Research area: Seismic design and assessment of steel, concrete and composite structures; Development of innovative structural components and systems; Seismic hazard mitigation.

Student roles:
Students will be assisting world-class engineers and researchers to develop innovative structural components and systems to mitigate the seismic risk of structures. The students will be required to perform structural analysis and assess the seismic performance of different structures. Students are encouraged to develop their own innovative structural components and systems for the seismic application.

Skills required:
Students need to have strong background in structural engineering and minimum experience using finite element software. Basic knowledge of programing languages (such as Matlab,
Python, C++) is preferred.

Research area: I'm a hydrologist, specialized in ensemble hydrological forecasting, with applications such as flood mitigation and reservoir optimization. As part of my research, I collaborate frequently with governments and municipalities. I am also involved as an expert in several committees of the World Meteorological Organization.

Student roles:
The student will collect data, modify existing models of urban drainage systems, run those models for various rain events, and analyse the results. The student will also write a report at the end of the internship. The student may be asked to present results to municipal and/or governmental partners during meetings.

Skills required:
A background in engineering would be ideal, especially with a concentration in environment/water (hydrology, hydraulics). Experience or knowledge in urban drainage modeling is ideal, but not mandatory.

Research area: Our research explores sustainable and intelligent building systems, focusing on data-driven methods for improving energy efficiency, occupant comfort, and environmental performance. We integrate engineering, computer science, and architecture to develop tools and simulations that support better building design and operation. Projects may involve analyzing real-world building data, applying machine learning for performance prediction, or creating visualization tools for energy use. This is an excellent opportunity to gain interdisciplinary research experience, contribute to impactful sustainability solutions, and develop technical skills in data analysis, programming, and modeling. We welcome students with interests in engineering, computer science, or environmental design.

Student roles:
The student will be responsible for developing and testing hybrid models of building energy performance using Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs). Their primary role will involve designing neural network architectures that incorporate physical principles—such as energy conservation, heat transfer, and system dynamics—into the learning process.

The student will begin by reviewing relevant literature on PINNs and hybrid modeling in building performance. They will then select a case study (e.g., a simplified thermal zone or small building model) and define the governing equations and boundary conditions to be embedded in the network. Using simulation data or real building datasets, they will train and validate PINNs against standard ML models and simulation outputs.

Specific tasks will include data preprocessing, coding neural network architectures (likely in PyTorch), implementing physics-informed loss functions, performing hyperparameter tuning, and evaluating performance using error metrics and visualization tools. The student will document all experiments clearly and maintain reproducible code.

The student is encouraged to propose and explore creative variations on model design, such as combining PINNs with control inputs, adding uncertainty quantification, or exploring model transferability across buildings or climates. They may also participate in academic writing or poster presentations if the results are promising.

Supervision will be provided to support learning and technical development, and the student will have regular check-ins to guide progress and resolve challenges. This project is ideal for students interested in combining theory and application in a high-impact area bridging AI and energy systems. It offers exposure to cutting-edge machine learning techniques, scientific modeling, and sustainability-focused engineering challenges.

Skills required:
Applicants should have programming experience, ideally in Python, and a strong foundation in mathematics. Familiarity with machine learning frameworks (e.g., PyTorch or TensorFlow) is preferred. An understanding of thermodynamics, heat transfer, or building energy systems is beneficial but not essential. Enthusiasm for interdisciplinary research and learning new modeling techniques is important. Prior coursework or experience in ML, control systems, or simulation would be helpful. The project is well-suited to students in engineering, physics, computer science, or related fields who are interested in scientific computing and sustainable technologies.

Research area: The investigations I have carried out and supervised, from my undergraduate research to present day thesis supervision, research, and consulting work, have made my areas of interest broad, ranging from theoretical studies of cavitation and dam break analysis to experimental studies in vortex ring dynamics, hydrodynamics of fishing lures, and sustainability indicators. I have recently been involved in research in urban river recovery, optimization of water distribution networks, sustainability indicators, water quality monitoring and modeling, environmental impact assessment, circular economy, and environmental valuation. My current research is in dam safety, including impacts of dam breaks.

Student roles:
Students 1 and 2 will research existing data sources, such as maps, government databases, satellite
imagery, and include this information in our GIS database. Student 3 will be responsible for
identifying the resources needed to implement a virtual reality laboratory by comparing existing
alternatives and presenting them to the research team.

Skills required:
Students 1 and 2 should have skills in data search and analysis, and on GIS use. Student 3 should be
familiar with virtual reality technologies.

Research area: The research group investigates the stability and resistance of steel structural members, with a focus on lateral torsional buckling (LTB) of I-section girders under flexural loading. Current work examines the influence of geometric imperfections, cross-section geometry, and material variability on buckling resistance, with applications to bridge structures governed by CSA S6. A growing research axis concerns the effect of corrosion-induced section loss on the LTB capacity of steel bridge girders, where localized thickness reduction of the web and flanges alters the member's flexural and torsional stiffness in ways that existing code provisions do not adequately capture.

Student roles:
The student will work as a junior researcher within the structural engineering group at the Université de Sherbrooke. Specific responsibilities include:

Conducting and documenting a structured literature review on corrosion in steel bridge girders and its effect on LTB resistance
Building and validating finite element models in ABAQUS under the supervision of the professor and senior graduate students
Running parametric studies across corrosion configurations and girder geometries, and organizing results systematically
Preparing a final technical report and oral presentation summarizing findings and their implications for bridge assessment and code improvement

Skills required:
Basic knowledge of structural mechanics, beam theory, and steel material behavior
Familiarity with finite element concepts (prior ABAQUS experience is an asset but not required)
Ability to read and critically synthesize technical literature in English
Basic proficiency in Python or MATLAB for data processing is an asset

Research area: My research work focuses on improving the long-term performance of concrete infrastructure through the use of innovative materials, monitoring and assessment practices, as well as repair and rehabilitation measures. My work also emphasizes sustainability and durability of concrete structures in aggressive environments. Previous research includes application of fibre reinforced polymer composites in construction, non-destructive evaluation methods for concrete structures, and structural performance of low-carbon concrete members. See www.NoelResearch.com for more details.

Student roles:
Assisting graduate students on advanced research projects related to long-term performance of concrete structures. Primarily experimental work with some opportunities for data analysis and/or modelling.

Skills required:
Civil/structural engineering, concrete materials

Research area: Dr. Annan specializes in sustainable infrastructure and the development of resilient structural systems under extreme loading conditions, including earthquakes. His current research activities include developing practical engineering solutions to enhance the design and performance of building and bridge systems. Dr. Annan currently chairs the Steel Structures Committee of the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering and he is an associate professional - professor of the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction. He also serves as a member of two technical committees of the American Society of Civil Engineers. He is a researcher in the Research Center on Structures under Extreme Loading.

Student roles:
The student will be required to work both individually and in a team with graduate students. The student will conduct a thorough review of relevant literature and produce a written report of his finding. From time to time, he or she will be required to share findings of research orally with the research team. The student will be required to learn one finite element based software for structural analysis (if he does not already know one) and use this tool to carry out a finite element modeling and analysis. This will generally involve stability analysis to identify and account for all possible buckling modes within the innovative buckling restrained brace component, such as the global flexural buckling of the brace elements, the buckling of the core components in higher modes, and the torsional buckling of the portion of the core element that extends outside the encasing steel tube. Analysis would be largely nonlinear.

The student will have an opportunity to meet and interact with renowned researchers through participation in seminars and conferences organised by the research centers that Dr. Annan belongs to, such as the research center on structures under extreme loading (CEISCE).

Skills required:
A senior civil engineering undergraduate with a special interest in structural analysis, finite element modeling and willing to learn new advanced structural analysis techniques. He or she should be strong analytically and be a problem solver. Critical thinking is a priceless skill for this project. Some previous exposure to finite element methods and analysis and the use of finite element-based software (eg. ABAQUS or OPENSEES or ANSYS) would be beneficial.

Research area: Seismic design and assessment of steel, concrete and composite structures; Development of innovative structural components and systems; Seismic hazard mitigation.

Student roles:
Students will be assisting world-class engineers and researchers to develop innovative structural components and systems to mitigate the seismic risk of structures. The students will be required to perform structural analysis and assess the seismic performance of different structures. Students are encouraged to develop their own innovative structural components and systems for the seismic application.

Skills required:
Students need to have strong background in structural engineering and minimum experience using finite element software. Basic knowledge of programing languages (such as Matlab,
Python, C++) is preferred.

Research area: My research interests lie in the following areas: 1) Hydrological extreme analysis, 2) Climate change impact on water resources, 3) Water quality assessment and modeling, 4) Urban stormwater management and low impact development, 5) Advanced statistical techniques for water resources.

Student roles:
The research tasks for the internship student(s) include: (1) Literature review on the hydrological dynamics of ESRs; (2) Data collection –flow, precipitation, temperature, etc. will be collected from ESR river basins. As the data can be from different sources, the student(s) will get familiar with data sources and how to process data for hydrology and water resources studies. The student(s) might need to contact local and provincial governments for data needed for this research; (3) Statistical analysis – use the state-of-art techniques to characterize the diurnal variations of hydrometeorological variables and examine their changes over time in a changing climate, all of which aid in understanding the driver(s) of diurnal flow variation. Besides above-mentioned tasks, the internship student(s) will be asked to summarize his/her research results in a report and/or give a presentation at the end of her/his internship.

Skills required:
According to the roles (described below) that the student(s) is expected to play in this research project, the student(s) is required to have skills/background in civil engineering, especially having following knowledge and skills: 1) Hydrology and hydrological statistics, 2) Mathematical skills such as statistical analysis, 3) Computer skills such as excel, Matlab, or other equivalent programs, 4) Good communication and written skills.

Research area: My research focuses on the experimental investigation of reinforced concrete structures incorporating innovative, sustainable materials. Specifically, I study the behavior of elements reinforced with non-metallic materials such as fibre-reinforced polymer (FRP) bars, fibre-reinforced concrete (FRC), and lightweight concrete (LWC). The objective is to enhance structural performance, durability, and sustainability, particularly in harsh environmental conditions. My work aims to inform design and construction practices that extend the service life of infrastructure while reducing maintenance costs and environmental impact. Experimental testing plays a central role in achieving these goals.

Student roles:
The student will contribute to an experimental research project focused on the performance of FRP composites as interface shear reinforcement. Under my supervision, the student will contribute to a dedicated subtask related to the utilization of headed FRP bars at the concrete interface. They will assist with specimen preparation, instrumentation, testing, data collection, and analysis. The student will also conduct independent research on a related aspect of the project and contribute to technical documentation. This internship offers hands-on experience in structural testing and insight into cutting-edge research addressing a critical gap in current design codes.

Skills required:
The ideal student should have a solid understanding of basic structural engineering principles, including statics, mechanics of materials, structural analysis, and theory of structures. A background in reinforced concrete design is essential. Familiarity with software such as Microsoft Office (e.g., Word, Excel, PowerPoint) and AutoCAD is important. Although not necessary, prior involvement in materials or structural testing is a strong asset. Strong technical writing skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently and as part of a research team are also highly desirable.

Research area: This research focuses on geotechnical climate adaptation within the context of Canadian infrastructure resilience. The specialized area combines geotechnical engineering principles with climate science to understand how changing freeze-thaw cycles and moisture regimes affect soil behavior, foundation design, and infrastructure performance across Ontario and Canada. The research integrates cumulative freezing degree-day analysis with moisture index calculations to assess climate-induced changes in frost-susceptible soils, permafrost dynamics, and seasonal ground conditions that directly impact civil infrastructure design and maintenance strategies.

Student roles:
The project is structured into four key phases over a 12-week period. In Weeks 1–3, the focus is on data acquisition and literature review. This includes downloading and organizing historical climate datasets from Environment and Climate Change Canada, reviewing Canadian frost depth prediction methods and climate moisture indices, and establishing quality control protocols for the data. A review of Ontario’s current geotechnical frost protection standards is also conducted.

During Weeks 4–7, the student will calculate cumulative freezing degree-days and Climate Moisture Index values using temperature, precipitation, and evapotranspiration data from various Ontario weather stations. Statistical analyses will be performed to identify trends from 1981 to 2023, and initial correlations between freezing indices and moisture conditions will be explored.

Weeks 8–10 are dedicated to applying these findings to geotechnical contexts. Updated frost depth predictions will be generated using modified Berggren equations and statistical models, with an assessment of their implications for foundation design and frost protection. The analysis will also consider regional differences in frost-susceptible soil behavior under changing climate conditions.

Finally, in Weeks 11–12, the work will be synthesized into a comprehensive technical report featuring maps, graphs, and trend analyses. The report will include recommendations for revising Ontario’s frost design standards. A presentation will be prepared for academic or conference dissemination, and the methodology will be thoroughly documented to support future research.

Skills required:
The ideal candidate should have a solid foundation in geotechnical engineering, including soil mechanics, frost action, and foundation design. Proficiency in data analysis tools such as Excel, R, or Python is essential, along with basic GIS skills and the ability to interpret climate data and degree-day metrics. Preferred academic background includes coursework in soil mechanics, foundation engineering, environmental geotechnics, and heat transfer in soils. Candidates should possess strong analytical skills, attention to detail for managing large datasets, and an interest in climate change impacts on infrastructure. The ability to work independently while maintaining communication with a supervisor is important.

Research area: My primary research area revolves around performance assessment of civil infrastructure under dynamic loads. My current research focuses on lightweight infrastructure, which has two main objectives: (i) developing innovative design solutions for sustainable constructions; (ii) establishing economic maintenance solutions. In specific, the main tasks of the current research projects include performance assessment of lively bridges and floors under different dynamic loading conditions such as pedestrian-induced walking loads, vehicular loads, seismic excitations etc. Combined experimental and analytical approaches are employed in meeting the objectives of the projects.

Student roles:
The Globalink student will be working very closely with the graduate student to achieve some of the objectives of this project. A brief overview of the specific tasks, which the student will be performing, are listed below:

1. Developing biomechnics based walking load models in the finite element software (ABAQUS and RSA ) where the bridge specimens has already been modelled and calibrated.

2. Dynamic analysis will be performed to estimate the vibration response of the bridges under the biomechnical based walking load models.

The outcomes from the aforementioned activities of the student will have a significant contribution in investigating the interaction models and proposing equivalent design load models for these structures.

Skills required:
Prior courses in the areas of structural mechanics and structural analysis are required. Background on structural dynamics and finite element analysis will be advantageous to numerically perform the dynamic analysis of the bridges as described in the project description. In terms of programming and software skill sets, an ability to numerically model structures in finite element software is required along with programming ability in Matlab. Finally, a good mathematical background is an asset.

Research area: • Dr. El-Hacha has pioneered the use of Fibre Reinforced Polymers in new constructions and strengthening structures. His work has led to enhanced structural performance and longevity, providing more sustainable and resilient infrastructure solutions. • He's been at the forefront of integrating smart materials, including Shape Memory Alloys, in construction, enabling structures to adapt to environmental changes and self-repair, thus significantly improving their lifespan and reducing maintenance costs. • His research on Ultra-High Performance Concrete has driven advancements in bridges and modular construction, offering unprecedented strength and durability. His work has set new standards for UHPC in the construction industry.

Student roles:
The student will play a key role in executing a comprehensive life-cycle cost analysis (LCCA) to evaluate the long-term economic and sustainability performance of Carbon Nanofibre Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (CNF-UHPC) as a bridge deck overlay material in comparison to traditional alternatives such as asphalt and latex-modified concrete. The student will begin by conducting a detailed literature review on the durability, mechanical performance, and maintenance profiles of various overlay materials alongside current practices in bridge rehabilitation.

The student will collect and synthesize service life data, maintenance intervals, initial and recurring costs, and failure modes for each material. This includes gathering data from academic literature, transportation agency reports, and manufacturer specifications. Using this data, the student will develop life-cycle cost models over a defined analysis period (e.g., 50–100 years) using established frameworks such as cradle-to-grave or cradle-to-cradle assessment. Key financial principles, including discounting, inflation, and risk adjustment, will be applied to estimate net present value (NPV), equivalent annual cost (EAC), and return on investment (ROI) for each alternative.

The student will utilize software tools such as Excel-based models and preferably LCCA/LCA platforms like SimaPro, OpenLCA, or other infrastructure-oriented tools to model environmental and economic performance. Visual comparison of alternatives through charts, graphs, and sensitivity analysis will be a key task.

In addition to technical analysis, the student will summarize findings in technical reports, policy briefs, and presentations highlighting the long-term advantages and trade-offs of CNF-UHPC overlays. This role requires a student who is analytical, detail-oriented, and capable of working independently. Strong communication and report-writing skills will be essential to articulate recommendations for bridge owners, engineers, and policymakers on adopting cost-effective and sustainable overlay strategies using CNF-UHPC.

Skills required:
The student should have a background in civil engineering, construction management, or a related discipline, with a solid understanding of infrastructure materials and durability performance. Familiarity with life-cycle cost analysis (LCCA) methodologies, including cradle-to-grave and cradle-to-cradle assessment approaches, is essential. Skills in using LCCA or sustainability analysis tools (e.g., Excel-based models, LCCA software, or LCA tools like SimaPro or OpenLCA) are highly desirable. The student must be capable of reviewing technical literature, interpreting service life and cost data, and applying discount rates and cost escalation models. Strong analytical, writing, and data visualization skills are required for presenting comparative results effectively.

Research area: Sustainable building practices focus on minimizing the environmental footprint of construction while considering economic and social aspects. These practices integrate green building principles, energy-efficient technologies, and resource-efficient materials to create structures that align with environmental, social, and economic sustainability goals (Bertocchi et al., 2011; Hafez et al., 2023). The emphasis is on reducing energy and water consumption and lowering greenhouse gas emissions through sustainable designs. In addition to environmental benefits, sustainable buildings enhance community well-being by fostering eco-friendly designs that promote health, inclusivity, and resilience (Omole & Olatunde, 2024).

Student roles:
The student will perform several tasks including:
- Review of British Columbia green building certificates.
- Provide the bill of quantity (BOQ) for the materials used in one of the selected UNBC buildings (e.g., UNBC Bioenergy Plant obtained a LEED Platinum-Certified Renewable Energy Facility).
- Perform material Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for the selected building.
- Compare the results with the current published practices in British Columbia, Canada
- Draw conclusions and recommendations based on the above assessments and related analysis.

Skills required:
No specific skills is required. An undergraduate student in civil engineering or architecture is preferred. general computer skills such as the ability to use Microsoft Word and Excel is required. Knowledge of data analysis, statistics, and data analytics not required but will be an asset.

Research area: My research focuses on environmental hydraulics, mainly on air-water flows, bubble dynamics, and gas transfer in natural and engineered aquatic systems. I also work on river hydraulics, sediment transport, and fish passage and habitat. My group combines laboratory experiments in indoor flumes and an outdoor experimental river with numerical modelling, addressing applied problems in aquatic ecosystem restoration, hydraulic infrastructure, and water resources engineering.

Student roles:
The student will play an active role in the design, execution, and analysis of the experimental campaign over the internship. Specific responsibilities include:

Reviewing relevant literature on microplastic transport, and vegetated flow hydraulics;
Assisting in the setup of the experimental flume and outdoor channel;
Conducting controlled experiments with microplastic particles of varying size, shape, and density under different flow conditions;
Operating measurement equipment such as current meters, water level sensors, and high-speed cameras;
Processing and analyzing experimental data, including particle tracking, deposition mapping, and basic statistical analysis using Python or MATLAB;
Maintaining detailed laboratory notebooks and contributing to data management;
Participating in research meetings and presenting progress to the research team;
Contributing to the preparation of a final report and, if appropriate, to a conference or journal publication.

Skills required:
The student should be enrolled in civil, hydraulic, environmental, mechanical, water resources, or chemical engineering, fluid mechanics, environmental sciences, or a related discipline. Required skills include a solid foundation in fluid mechanics and a strong interest in hands on experimental work. Prior laboratory experience, basic image processing, and proficiency in Python or MATLAB are assets. Comfort working with water-based experimental setups and attention to detail in data collection are essential.

Research area: The specialized research area lies within the bio-based aerogel insulation materials for energy efficient buildings. Aerogels are characterized by their low density, high porosity, and low thermal conductivity giving them a wide range of application prospects in the field of thermal insulation. The overall goal of this project is to reduce the energy consumption and improve the thermal comfort for non-residential buildings (such as hospitals and schools). The main objective of this project is to develop and utilize aerogel insulation materials to enhance the performance of non-residential buildings in a sustainable, functional and healthy environment.

Student roles:
The students will use a variety of testing and analytical methods to collect data and characterize the properties of existing commercial and newly developed bio-based insulation materials. Their work forms part of a larger research project aimed at developing sustainable insulation materials for energy-efficient buildings.
Three students will focus on material characterization through:
(1) Mechanical property testing – compressive strength, Modulus of Rupture (MOR), Modulus of Elasticity (MOE), and flexural bending strength.
(2) Thermal property testing – thermal conductivity, fire resistance, thermal expansion, and Internal Bond Strength (IBS).
(3) Durability property testing – durability, water resistance, moisture resistance, and antimicrobial (mildew-resistant) performance.
These students will conduct experiments, analyze results, and process the resulting data. The measured physical, mechanical, thermal, and durability properties will provide essential input parameters for the subsequent Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and building energy modeling activities.
(4) A fourth student will perform a comprehensive Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to evaluate the environmental impacts of all selected bio-based insulation materials throughout their life cycle.
(5) A fifth student will develop and apply building energy simulation models to assess and predict the effects of different bio-based insulation materials on the energy performance of building envelopes in various commercial building applications.
The data generated from the material characterization activities will serve as the foundation for evaluating how material properties influence environmental performance and building energy efficiency. Through modeling and optimization, the project will identify the most effective bio-based insulation materials and property combinations for improving the energy performance of commercial building envelopes. This work is essential for supporting the development of high-performance, sustainable building systems.

Skills required:
The students should have a background in:
(1) Mechanical or Civil engineering – project (1, 2, 3, 4, 5);
(2) Materials science – project (1, 2, 3);
(3) LCA – project (4).
(4) Computer science project (5)
The student is required to have basic skills in compilation of experimental data and in writing structured reports. The student should be capable of solitary and focused work on their own specific assignment, feel confident to ask for help, question and comment, and say their opinion. It is it expected that the student have a genuine interest in science and technology.

Research area: Nos travaux de recherche s’inscrivent dans le domaine de l’environnement minier, plus particulièrement dans l’évaluation de la performance des systèmes de recouvrement imperméables intégrant des géomembranes. Ces systèmes sont conçus pour limiter les flux d’eau et d’oxygène, contribuant ainsi au contrôle de la génération de drainage minier acide (DMA). Toutefois, il n’existe pas encore de méthodologie standardisée permettant d’assurer un suivi adéquat, notamment à long terme. Dans ce contexte, nos travaux visent à modéliser le comportement actuel de tels systèmes et d’en prédire les variations induites dans un contexte de changement climatique.

Student roles:
Au cours du stage, la personne étudiante sera responsable de la gestion et de l’analyse des données issues des cellules expérimentales, couvrant une période de cinq ans, de septembre 2021 à septembre 2026. Elle devra assurer la compilation, la validation et la structuration des données provenant des différentes stations de mesure, en veillant à leur qualité et à leur cohérence.
La personne étudiante développera de modèles numériques visant à simuler le comportement thermo-hydrique des cellules expérimentales. Ces modèles seront d’abord développés en une dimension (1D), puis étendus en deux dimensions (2D), afin d’améliorer la représentation des phénomènes observés. Ce travail de modélisation contribuera à une meilleure compréhension des interactions entre les processus thermiques et hydriques, ainsi qu’à l’évaluation de la performance des systèmes de recouvrement.
Enfin, la personne stagiaire sera amenée à documenter ses travaux, à présenter régulièrement l’avancement de ses résultats et à contribuer à la rédaction de rapports techniques ou scientifiques.

Skills required:
La personne candidate doit posséder un intérêt marqué pour le domaine minier, avec une sensibilité particulière aux enjeux environnementaux et à la restauration des sites miniers. Une bonne capacité de synthèse et de rigueur scientifique est essentielle. Des connaissances en modélisation numérique, notamment appliquée aux milieux granulaires ou aux transferts thermo-hydriques, constituent un atout important. Une expérience avec des outils de programmation ou des logiciels spécialisés en simulation sera également valorisée.

Research area: My group works in robotics, control systems, machine perception, embedded systems, communication systems, planning, signal processing. We aim to develop more autonomous systems such as mobile robots, which can interact intelligently with a dynamic complex environment. We are interested in particular resilient navigation systems, in the deployment of multi-robot systems, where multiple agents must coordinate their actions and sensing, and in active sensing, i.e., the impact of intelligent sensing to improve performance.

Student roles:
This is mostly an algorithm and software development project at the interface between mobile robotics and signal processing / estimation / optimization. Algorithms will be developed in a high-level language, but, depending on the student's skills, may be deployed on embedded platforms (ex: NVIDIA AGX ORIN).

Skills required:
- The student should have good software development skills and at least an interest in robotics and implementing software interacting with physical systems.
- Familiarity with either robotics software development (ROS in particular) is a definite plus.
- The student should either be familiar with navigation systems, or have enough technical and mathematical knowledge to understand the modern mechanisms behind probabilistic estimation methods for robot pose estimation.

Research area: I am specializing in green and smart constructional materials. He has experimental and analytical research expertise in the areas of: fresh and hardened properties of concrete, concrete technology, structural performance of special concretes, smart and nano-modified construction materials, intelligence-based prediction models, performance-based testing techniques, embodied energy of construction materials, and recycling industrial wastes/by-products in construction applications.

Student roles:
Through experimental design, material characterization, and performance evaluation, the intern will help advance practical solutions for more sustainable, high-performance concrete suitable for modern construction applications.

Skills required:
1) Motivation to learn about innovative and sustainable materials
2) Ability to work both independently and in a team environment
3) Basic understanding of materials, with an introductory knowledge of sustainability concepts
4) Willingness to learn laboratory techniques for concrete mixing, casting, curing, and testing
5) Strong attention to detail in measurements, sample preparation, and data recording
6) Good organizational and time-management skills
7) Ability to follow experimental protocols and safety procedures
8) Basic technical writing and communication skills for documenting results

Research area: My specialized research area focuses on climate change adaptation for geotechnical and geoenvironmental infrastructure. We utilize advanced numerical modeling tools, such as GeoStudio (TEMP/W and SEEP/W), to investigate soil-atmosphere interactions, vadose zone flow, and the thermal-hydraulic behavior of engineered systems. Our goal is to enhance the resilience of foundations, embankments, and pavements against changing climate boundaries.

Student roles:
The student will serve as a numerical modeler for this project. Their primary role will involve setting up, executing, and analyzing transient thermal models in TEMP/W. Initially, the student will conduct a literature review on thermosyphon mechanics and gather historical and projected climate data. They will then build 2D finite element geometries of embankment profiles, assign appropriate soil thermal properties (unfrozen/frozen heat capacity and thermal conductivity), and establish complex climate boundary functions. A significant portion of their daily tasks will involve running long-term transient simulations, troubleshooting model convergence issues, and extracting thermal data (e.g., ground temperature contours, heat flux). The student will synthesize this data into clear, graphical representations to compare infrastructure performance across different climate scenarios. They will participate in weekly research meetings to present their modeling progress and discuss modifications. By the conclusion of the 12-week internship, the student will submit a comprehensive technical report documenting their methodology, TEMP/W models, and findings.

Skills required:
The ideal candidate is a highly motivated undergraduate student in Civil or Geotechnical Engineering. Foundational knowledge of soil mechanics, thermodynamics, and heat transfer is required. Experience with finite element modeling or geotechnical software (especially GeoStudio/TEMP/W) is considered a strong asset, though training will be provided. Familiarity with processing climate datasets and strong analytical skills are highly desirable. The student must be comfortable working extensively with computer simulations and analyzing large sets of output data.

Research area: Dr. Annan specializes in sustainable infrastructure and the development of resilient structural systems under extreme loading. His current research activities include developing practical engineering solutions to enhance the design and performance of modern steel and aluminium bridges and building systems. Dr. Annan currently chairs the Steel Structures Committee of the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering and he is an associate professional - professor of the Canadian Institute of Steel Construction. He also serves as a member of two technical committees of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) and he is a researcher in the Aluminium Research Center (REGAL).

Student roles:
The student will be required to work both individually and in a team with graduate students. He will conduct a thorough review of relevant literature and produce a written report of his finding. From time to time, he or she will be required to share findings of research orally with the research team. The student will be required to learn a finite element based software for structural analysis (if he does not already know one) and use this tool to carry out a finite element modeling and analysis. A large part of the analysis by the student will involve optimisation of the shape and configuration of longitudinally aluminum extrusions for stiffer and stronger aluminum deck system to be supported by widely spaced existing plate girders originally designed for very stiff reinforced concrete deck. The student will have an opportunity to meet and interact with reputed researchers through participation in seminars and conferences organised by the research centers that Dr. Annan belongs to.

Skills required:
A senior civil engineering undergraduate with a special interest in structural analysis, finite element modeling and willing to learn new advanced structural analysis techniques. He or she should be strong analytically and be a problem analyser and solver. Critical thinking is a priceless skill for this project. Some previous exposure to finite element methods and analysis and the use of finite element-based software (eg. ABAQUS, etc) would be beneficial. There will also be opportunities to participate in seminars and a conference out of the city, organized by the research center on structures under extreme loading conditions (CEISCE).

Research area: Resilient and Innovative Bridges and Structures (RIBS) research group focuses on enhancing the sustainability of our built environment through sustainable construction practice. Our current research strives to reduce environmental footprints and enhance the health and resiliency of our built environment. We apply state-of-the-art experimental and sensing techniques to better understand the behaviour of structural systems and ensure that we have safe, smart, and sustainable infrastructure. Our research explores experimental tests on sustainable engineered structures, develops algorithm-aided material optimization, and advances knowledge transfer with Canadian engineering and manufacturing partners, public agencies, and Indigenous communities.

Student roles:
The key activities and role of the student are as follows:

• design, develop, and implement study procedures, creation of datasets for analysis, and ensuring data quality and confidentiality,
• conduct literature searches and maintain citation databases,
• validate numerical models with experimental results,
• perform numerical analysis and collect data, prepare graphs, charts, and presentations,
• active participation as a member of a research team,
• attendance and contribution to relevant research meetings,
• ability to work with colleagues/ graduate students on joint projects, as required, and
• contribute to the preparation of articles on research outcomes and progress.

Skills required:
• a fundamental understanding of civil and structural engineering principles,
• sufficient knowledge in the discipline and of research methods and techniques to work within established research programs,
• experience with structural modeling, simulation, and nonlinear finite element analysis using ABAQUS,
• basic understanding of principles of structural optimization,
• experience and ability to use a range of visual presentation tools such as MS Excel charts, Power Point, and other similar tools.

Research area: • Dr. El-Hacha has pioneered the use of Fibre Reinforced Polymers in new constructions and strengthening structures. His work has led to enhanced structural performance and longevity, providing more sustainable and resilient infrastructure solutions. • He's been at the forefront of integrating smart materials, including Shape Memory Alloys, in construction, enabling structures to adapt to environmental changes and self-repair, thus significantly improving their lifespan and reducing maintenance costs. • His research on Ultra-High Performance Concrete has driven advancements in bridges and modular construction, offering unprecedented strength and durability. His work has set new standards for UHPC in the construction industry.

Student roles:
The student will take on a central role in evaluating and optimizing the thermal and structural performance of Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) Sandwich Wall Panels (SWPs) for sustainable building façades. The student will begin by conducting a comprehensive literature review on UHPC-based SWPs, thermal insulation strategies, and energy-efficient façade systems. This review will inform the experimental design and simulation framework for assessing the panels' performance.

In the experimental phase, the student will assist in casting UHPC SWPs with embedded insulation and shear connectors, followed by thermal performance testing using methods such as guarded hot box or heat flow meter apparatus to determine the k-value and evaluate the R-value and U-value of UHPC SWPs according to ASTM-C518.

Simultaneously, the student will collect data necessary for the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), including material quantities, energy used in production and transportation, and operational energy savings derived from thermal simulation results. The student will utilize software such as SimaPro or One Click LCA to integrate this data and quantify environmental impacts over the life cycle of the panel system. Energy modelling using EnergyPlus/WUFI or DesignBuilder will also be performed to simulate energy demand reductions for different climate zones and building types.

The student will analyze and interpret test results and simulation outputs, contributing to developing design guidelines that optimize thermal and structural performance. Strong technical writing skills will be required to prepare research reports, contribute to academic publications, and communicate findings to industry partners.

This interdisciplinary role provides the student with hands-on experience in advanced construction materials, sustainable design practices, and performance-based evaluation tools—skills that are directly transferable to careers in structural engineering, building science, and green construction technologies.

Skills required:
The student should have a background in civil engineering, building science, or architectural engineering, with knowledge of precast construction and building envelope systems. Familiarity with UHPC material properties, thermal insulation principles, and composite structural behaviour is essential. The student should possess experience in thermal testing, energy simulation tools (e.g., EnergyPlus, DesignBuilder), and LCA software (e.g., SimaPro or One Click LCA). Strong analytical skills are needed to process energy and material data, evaluate thermal efficiency, and contribute to LCA modelling. Experience in experimental work, data interpretation, and technical writing is crucial for reporting findings and contributing to practical design recommendations.

Research area: My specialized research area is earthquake engineering and structural resilience. My research broadly examines how buildings made of different materials and systems respond to earthquakes, and how their seismic performance can be improved through innovative structural systems, performance-based design methodologies, advanced analysis tools, and code-oriented research. Current research directions include high-performance structural systems, mass timber and hybrid structures, modular construction, resilience-oriented performance-based seismic design, and seismic design provisions in Canadian standards. This work is closely connected to my service on national seismic design and structural standards committees, where I contribute to the development of future design practices for resilient buildings.

Student roles:
The student will support ongoing research related to resilience-oriented performance-based seismic design and seismic resilience of buildings. The specific work will be selected based on the student’s background, interests, and the needs of the research group.

In the first stage, the student will receive an introduction to earthquake engineering, seismic performance assessment, building resilience, and performance-based seismic design concepts. The student will review relevant literature, design standards, technical reports, and previous research materials to understand current PBSD methodologies and their application to building design.

In the second stage, the student will contribute to one or more focused research activities. Possible tasks include reviewing international PBSD frameworks, comparing design procedures, organizing engineering databases, preparing prototype building examples, assisting with simplified calculations, developing spreadsheets or design aids, producing graphics and visualizations, supporting preliminary analytical studies and technical documentation, or contributing to worked examples, implementation resources, and educational materials related to PBSD.

In the final stage, the student will organize the completed work, prepare a concise technical summary, and deliver a final presentation to the research group. Expected outputs may include literature reviews, engineering databases, design examples, spreadsheets, figures, technical summaries, or presentation materials.
The student will complete all tasks under regular supervision. The role emphasizes learning, engineering judgment, careful execution, and effective communication rather than independent advanced seismic analysis or specialized computational research.

Skills required:
The student should have a background in civil, structural, architectural, building, or mechanical engineering. A foundation in structural analysis and engineering mechanics, or closely related subjects, is expected. Knowledge or experience in structural design would be an asset but is not required. Experience with Excel, MATLAB, Python, CAD, data processing, AI-assisted engineering workflows, or technical visualization tools would also be an asset. The student should be willing to learn new concepts, read technical literature, communicate clearly, and work independently under regular supervision. Strong interest in structural design, building resilience, earthquake engineering, standards, or performance-based design is highly desirable.

Research area: My research bridges design, fabrication, engineering, and computation to scale building material reuse in the circular economy. I’m interested in how to rethink materials and assemblies to design for disassembly and reuse – this work is both physical, working through large-scale prototyping, and digital, working through optimization, algorithmic assignment, and other computational tools for the circular economy. My research lab is situated in the Centre for Architectural Structures and Technology (CAST) – a large-scale purpose-built fabrication and prototyping space in the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Manitoba.

Student roles:
The student will work as a member of a larger team in the Future Assemblies Lab on the Pixelframe project, which is scaling the Pixelframe system from prototype to full building. The student's work will span three interconnected areas depending on project stage: fabrication and prototype construction, instrumented structural testing, and analysis and documentation of results. The balance across these areas will be determined by project needs and the student's background. Academic publication opportunities are available for interested and qualified candidates.
The student will primarily work in a team setting, but will be responsible for certain project deliverables independently, therefore, both teamworking skills and the ability to work independently are required. While the selected student will work primarily on this research project, there will also be opportunities to collaborate with other student researchers on other lab projects, including speculative design work. Students are expected to be active participants in lab culture and will be asked to present their research to the research community in the Faculty. Students will be supported in following their own research interests and will have access to fabrication facilities and assembly space.

Skills required:
The project is situated in the Faculty of Architecture at the University of Manitoba, and to round out team skillsets, civil engineering or architecture students with a strong structures background are preferred. Strong candidates will enjoy hands-on work at full scale, occasionally in an industrial setting, but principally in a lab setting. Experience with instrumented structural testing, engineering analysis, and FEA is an asset. Students should have an interest in the circular economy, low-carbon design, and structural design.

Research area: The research group focuses on the stability and resistance of aluminum structural members, including the effects of geometric imperfections, cross-section slenderness, and material degradation on local and global buckling capacity. Current work spans extruded aluminum profiles governed by CSA S157 and Eurocode 9, covering a range of open and closed section shapes. A growing area of interest is the post-fire performance of aluminum cross-sections, where elevated temperatures cause irreversible reductions in yield strength and elastic modulus that directly affect local buckling resistance, which is a failure mode that is highly sensitive to material properties and plate slenderness.

Student roles:
The student will work as a junior researcher within the structural engineering group at the Université de Sherbrooke. Specific responsibilities include:

Conducting and documenting a structured literature review on post-fire aluminum properties and local buckling behavior across CHS, RHS/SHS, I-sections, and open sections
Building and validating finite element models in ABAQUS under the supervision of the professor and senior graduate students
Running parametric simulations across section types and temperature levels, and organizing results systematically
Preparing a final technical report and oral presentation summarizing findings and their implications for design code improvement

Skills required:
Basic knowledge of structural mechanics, thin-walled member behavior, and material properties
Familiarity with finite element concepts (prior ABAQUS experience is an asset but not required)
Ability to read and critically synthesize technical literature in English
Basic proficiency in Python or MATLAB for data processing is an asset

Research area: My research focuses on environmental hydraulics, mainly on air-water flows, bubble dynamics, and gas transfer in natural and engineered aquatic systems. I also work on river hydraulics, sediment transport, and fish passage and habitat. My group combines laboratory experiments in indoor flumes and an outdoor experimental river with numerical modelling, addressing applied problems in aquatic ecosystem restoration, hydraulic infrastructure, and water resources engineering.

Student roles:
Over the internship, the student will help build a preliminary machine-learning model that predicts bubble size from flow conditions. Main tasks include:

Reading the key scientific literature on bubbles in turbulent flows (5–8 papers, not 50);
Organizing and exploring the experimental and simulation data already available in the group;
Identifying which physical variables best explain bubble size;
Building and testing a first machine-learning model, comparing it to classical engineering formulas;
Documenting the code clearly and writing a short final report;
Presenting the results to the research group at the end of the internship.

The student will be supervised through weekly meetings with the professor and will be part of a small team including a PhD student working on a closely related topic.

Skills required:
The student should have:

Python programming skills (numpy, pandas, matplotlib);
Some exposure to machine learning, either through coursework or a personal project;
Background in fluid mechanics or a related engineering field;
Comfort reading and discussing scientific articles in English;
Curiosity, autonomy, and an interest in combining engineering with data analysis;
A previous project carried through to completion, e.g. coursework, GitHub repo, is a strong asset.

Research area: Low-head dams and weirs can look harmless, but the flow below them can be deadly. Around the world, people continue to drown at these structures because many were built in a way that creates a submerged hydraulic jump: a powerful recirculating current often called a “drowning machine.” My research in hydraulic engineering focuses on public safety at dams and the design of safer hydraulic structures. My research group works to identify when hazardous flow conditions occur at dams and weirs, and to develop practical methods to reduce or eliminate those hazards.

Student roles:
The student will be involved in all stages of the research project. They will begin by reviewing literature on the flow regimes that form downstream of low-head dams in rectangular channels, with particular attention to submerged hydraulic jumps and the hydraulic conditions associated with hazardous recirculating flow patterns. This review will help place the experimental work in context and support the interpretation of the results.

The student will help set up the experimental apparatus in the laboratory flume and will contribute to developing the safety plan for conducting the experiments. This will include assisting with the preparation of the flume, test section, measurement equipment, and experimental procedures. In consultation with the supervisor and laboratory staff, the student will help refine the experimental plan and identify the flow conditions to be tested.

The student will then conduct the experiments in the laboratory flume, with appropriate supervision and technical support. They will be responsible for organizing, processing, and analyzing the collected data. The analysis will focus on identifying the flow regimes that form under different hydraulic conditions and interpreting their relevance to low-head dam safety.

At the end of the project, the student will prepare a final report summarizing the literature review, experimental methods, results, and conclusions. The student will also contribute to preparing the work for submission as a journal paper.

Skills required:
The student should have a background in civil engineering for this project and have completed at least one course in fluid mechanics. It is preferred, bu not required, that the student additionally have some training in open channel flow.

Research area: My research works focus on construction engineering and management especially in the area of productivity and performance, future energy systems, artificial intelligence, automation and technology, digitalization, simulation modeling, decision support systems, and data analytics. I have worked on several projects related to sustainable construction such as a study on risk assessment in windfarm projects. I am currently working on three research projects: (1) related to identifying common risk factors for sustainable construction; (2) assessing risk perception and safety awareness of immigrant workers in construction sites; and (3) energy simulation and material lifecycle assessment for sustainable building design.

Student roles:
The student role includes one or more of the followings based on the student's background and interest:
(1) help in conducting a literature review of current risk prioritization and ranking methods in the construction idustry.
(2) Collecting online data on risk factors in sustainable construction in North America.
(3) With the help of our PhD students, the student will help in developing online surveys to capture expert knowledge on the importance of each identified risk factor in the area of sustainable construction.
(4) With the help and training of an assigned PhD student, the student will perform data analysis to rank risk factors and identify critical risk factors in sustainable construction.

Note: In all these steps, I assign the successful applicants to this project one of my PhD students to mentor and train them to learn the process. The knowledge and experience the students receive in this project will help them being prepared for their future work. Also, a desktop or laptop computer and an office desk will be available for each student participating in this project, and there is no need for the student to use their personal computers.

Skills required:
Graduate students or senior undergraduate students (third or forth year of study) in an engineering discipline. Students with interest in exploring the current status of risk prioritization and ranking in construction projects in North America are encouraged to apply. The required technical skills include (1) an intermediate level of competency to work with general office software such as Microsoft word and excel; and (2) an intermediate level of competency to communicate in English language. No computer programming or data analysis background is required. But, knowledge of statistics, data analysis, and modeling is as asset.

Research area: Hollow structural section (HSS) bolted connections are widely used in steel construction due to their efficiency and clean load transfer. Designing and constructing these connections can be challenging because of limited access to the interior of the HSS tube and potential wall deformation. This research is being conducted to identify innovative approaches to designing HSS connections that are easy to construct and architecturally appealing.

Student roles:
The project will be largely student-driven, with the student taking a leading role in developing ideas, planning tasks, and carrying out research activities. This includes contributing to concept development, modelling, and experimental testing. Depending on the stage of the broader research program, the student may collaborate closely with other team members or take on more independent responsibilities. In either case, the student will be supported by Dr. Van Engelen throughout the process. Meetings occur at least once per week.

Skills required:
Interested students should have a solid background in structural engineering fundamentals, including steel design and mechanics. Familiarity with finite element analysis (FEA) is highly desirable.

Research area: Dr. Wenbo Zheng leads a nationally recognized research program in rock mechanics, experimental geomechanics, and geohazard resilience at UNBC. His research combines advanced laboratory testing, numerical modelling, and data-driven analysis to investigate rock behaviour, fracture processes, and stability in resource and infrastructure applications. Supported by NSERC, CFI, and industry partners, his team operates UNBC’s Rock Mechanics Laboratory and collaborates internationally on sustainable geo-resource development and hazard mitigation. He has published over 60 peer-reviewed journal papers, including many with his graduate students and summer interns. Successful Globalink interns will gain hands-on experience in rock mechanics testing, data analysis, and geomechanics research.

Student roles:
The selected students will become active members of UNBC’s Rock Mechanics Laboratory and participate in all stages of the research process. Working as a team, they will assist with preparing shale rock specimens using advanced sample preparation equipment, conducting laboratory compression and tensile tests, and collecting acoustic emission and ultrasonic monitoring data during experiments. The students will help analyze laboratory results to identify fracture initiation, propagation, and failure mechanisms in layered shale formations.
The students will receive training in geomechanical testing techniques, experimental design, data processing, and scientific interpretation. Depending on their interests and project needs, one student may focus more on laboratory testing and instrumentation, while the other may emphasize data analysis, visualization, and interpretation. Both students will work closely with graduate students, research staff, and faculty members in a collaborative research environment and gain exposure to industry- and government-supported research projects.
This project provides an excellent opportunity to develop hands-on laboratory skills, quantitative data analysis capabilities, problem-solving skills, and technical communication abilities. Students will be encouraged to present their findings at research meetings and may have opportunities to co-author conference papers and peer-reviewed journal publications. Previous undergraduate summer interns in our research group have successfully co-authored publications and pursued graduate studies and careers in geotechnical, mining, geological, and petroleum engineering.

Skills required:
The students should have an engineering background in civil/geotechnical/petroleum/geological/mining. Previous experience in laboratory testing and data analysis is highly desirable.

Research area: Dr. Wenbo Zheng leads a nationally recognized research program in rock mechanics, experimental geomechanics, and geohazard resilience at UNBC. His research combines advanced laboratory testing, numerical modelling, and data-driven analysis to investigate rock behaviour, fracture processes, and stability in resource and infrastructure applications. Supported by NSERC, CFI, and industry partners, his team operates UNBC’s Rock Mechanics Laboratory and collaborates internationally on sustainable geo-resource development and hazard mitigation. He has published over 60 peer-reviewed journal papers, including many with his graduate students and summer interns. Successful Globalink interns will gain hands-on experience in rock mechanics testing, data analysis, and geomechanics research.

Student roles:
The selected students will become active members of UNBC’s Rock Mechanics Laboratory and participate in all stages of the research project. Their primary responsibilities will include preparing rock specimens, operating laboratory equipment under supervision, conducting direct shear tests on fractured shale samples, and assisting with sample treatment using fracturing fluids and proppants. Students will also help characterize fracture surfaces using 3D scanning technologies and prepare specimens using advanced CNC equipment.
The students will collect, process, and analyze experimental data to evaluate the influence of fracture roughness, mineral composition, fluid treatment, and proppant placement on the shear behaviour of rock discontinuities. They will work closely with graduate students and faculty researchers to interpret results and relate laboratory observations to subsurface engineering applications, including hydraulic fracturing, geothermal energy development, and carbon storage.
Throughout the project, students will receive training in rock mechanics, laboratory testing methods, data analysis, and scientific communication. Depending on their interests and experience, students may also contribute to literature reviews, data visualization, statistical analysis, and technical report preparation.
This project provides an excellent opportunity to develop hands-on laboratory skills, quantitative analytical abilities, problem-solving skills, and teamwork experience in a collaborative research environment. Students will be encouraged to present their findings at research meetings and may have opportunities to contribute to conference presentations and peer-reviewed journal publications. Previous undergraduate summer interns in our research group have successfully co-authored scientific publications and pursued graduate studies and professional careers in geotechnical, geological, mining, and petroleum engineering.

Skills required:
The students should have an engineering background in civil/geotechnical/petroleum/geological/mining. Previous experience in laboratory testing and data analysis is highly desirable.

Research area: Traffic and Transportation Engineering, Analysis, modeling and optimization of the transportation system (Mobility-As-A-Service, public transport, ride-sharing, and emerging transportation technologies), travel behavior and transport economics, data mining and decision analytics (statistical model, machine learning/deep learning), mechanism design and game theory.

Student roles:
- Develop and test quantum computing models for transportation network applications.
- Design benchmark transportation optimization problems and evaluate the scalability, efficiency, and practical applicability of quantum algorithms.
- Analyze transportation datasets and prepare inputs for quantum-enabled optimization and simulation studies.
- Participate in regular meetings with Canadian and international research teams, contributing to research outputs and knowledge exchange activities.

Skills required:
1. Background in quantum technologies and computer science
2. Strong interests in quantum computing, algorithms and their applications to traffic and transportation engineering and simulations.
3. Experience in data analysis and system programming.
4. Background in modeling, optimization and operation management.
5. Skilled in python or other programming languages.

Research area: This research integrates material science, structural engineering, experimental testing, and performance-based design approaches to develop practical solutions for the rehabilitation of deficient reinforced concrete (RC) structures subjected to aging, increased loading demands, and extreme events such as earthquakes. This is my specialized research area. My major area of expertise involves the application of advanced materials in structural engineering, e.g., Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (UHPC) for strengthening and extending the service life of aging infrastructure. UHPC is an advanced cementitious composite characterized by exceptional compressive strength, tensile ductility, durability, and resistance to environmental degradation.

Student roles:
The interns will be integrated into an active research team and will undertake responsibilities including:
Conducting literature reviews related to UHPC materials and rehabilitation techniques.
Assisting in the preparation and casting of UHPC specimens.
Performing laboratory tests for material characterization.
Participating in the fabrication, strengthening, instrumentation, and testing of reinforced concrete column specimens.
Collecting, organizing, and analyzing experimental data.
Contributing to the interpretation of results and comparison with existing design provisions.
Participating in regular research group meetings and presenting progress updates.
Assisting in the preparation of technical reports, conference presentations, and journal publications.
Collaborating closely with graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and faculty members within the research group.

Skills required:
The ideal undergraduate candidates should possess:
Enrollment in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Materials Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
Strong academic standing with coursework in structural analysis, reinforced concrete design, mechanics of materials, and/or construction materials.
Basic understanding of concrete technology and laboratory testing procedures.
Interest in sustainable infrastructure and structural rehabilitation research.
Ability to analyze experimental data using spreadsheet software or programming tools (e.g., MATLAB, Python, or similar platforms) is desirable.
Strong communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills.
Prior laboratory experience is advantageous but not mandatory.

Research area: Our research focuses on reducing methane emissions from landfills using innovative biological systems based on microbial oxidation. Within the BiomethoxUS group (Université de Sherbrooke), we integrate geotechnical engineering, reactor design, and laboratory and field experimentation to develop and optimize effective solutions. Our multidisciplinary team collaborates with academic and industrial partners to advance evidence-based approaches that mitigate the climate impact of landfill methane emissions.

Student roles:
The student will play an active role in a research project focused on the performance and resiliency of methane oxidation systems in a geoenvironmental context. They will contribute to the characterization of organic materials, including compost-based mixtures, and support the monitoring of an instrumented experimental test site.
Responsibilities include conducting geotechnical laboratory tests (grain size analysis, permeability, etc.) under supervision, participating in field sampling and instrumentation campaigns, and assisting with data collection, processing, and analysis. The student will also contribute to interpreting results to better understand material behavior and evaluate the efficiency of different system designs.
This role is embedded in a collaborative research environment, where the student will work closely with researchers, including postdoctoral fellows and research professionals, within a multidisciplinary team. Through this experience, the student will help advance practical solutions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions while developing strong analytical and hands-on skills in both laboratory and field settings.

Skills required:
We are seeking a student with strong engineering fundamentals who is curious, motivated, and interested in solving practical problems in geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering. The ideal candidate demonstrates analytical thinking, a willingness to learn, and the ability to work in a team while carefully following experimental protocols. An interest in hands-on work (laboratory and field) is essential. Practical or creative skills (e.g., DIY, gardening, crafting, 3D printing) are considered an asset, reflecting dexterity, creativity, and a strong practical mindset.

Research area: Research involves comprehensive experimentation, extensive numerical/finite element/analytical/design-oriented analyses, neural network/AI modelling, non-destructive testing, life cycle analysis of materials/structures and development of computer aided machine learning intelligent system. Research include: use of nano-materials/nano-technology/polymers/wastes/volcanic materials/underused materials/CO2 sequestration in cement and concrete composites, high-ultra high performance concrete, self-consolidating concrete, ductile engineered concrete, smart self-healing/self-sensing materials, zero-cement based geopolymer/alkali-activated binder/concrete, development of innovative high performance resilient structural systems RC and composite structural systems for bridge/building/nuclear infrastructure applications and rehabilitation of structures.

Student roles:
Conduct experimental testing, theoretical modeling, data processing, data analysis, literature review and designing of components/materials. Use computer, loading machine, data acquisition system, concrete making/casting tools, fabrication tools, instrumentation tools and various software’s. Write technical report and make Presentation (first week to pen-ultimate week). The student will be interacting with the research team which includes graduate (PhD and MASc) students and post-doctoral fellows/visiting scholars as well as various industrial partners. In addition, student will develop analytical, critical thinking, group working, self-motivation, language skill and inter-personnel skills throughout the duration of internship.

Skills required:
A civil engineering student preferably having background in concrete materials, strength of materials and structural analysis/design. Also having analytical/critical thinking/ group working, communication, experimentation and computer (such as WORD, Excell etc.) skills. Experience related to finite element modelling and other engineering design/analysis software’s will be considered as an asset.

Research area: My research integrates hydroclimate science, satellite remote sensing, machine learning, and data science to support climate-resilient water-resource management. I develop monitoring and prediction tools that use Earth observation, climate data, and hydrological information to assess freshwater conditions, water-related risks, and decision-relevant indicators for rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and vulnerable communities.

Student roles:
The student will work as an undergraduate research intern contributing to a larger ongoing project on satellite-based freshwater monitoring and prediction in Canada. The student’s role will be to develop and document a focused pilot analysis that combines satellite-based water level and water quality information for selected freshwater systems.

At the beginning of the internship, the student will review selected literature on satellite hydrology, SWOT-based water surface elevation monitoring, optical water quality remote sensing, and climate-related freshwater risks. In consultation with the faculty supervisor and graduate students, the student will select one or more study sites and define a manageable research question, such as how satellite-observed water levels and water quality indicators vary seasonally, during extreme events, or across different lake, river, or reservoir environments.

The student will gain experience with both major components of the project. For the water level component, the student will help process or analyze SWOT-based water surface elevation data, extract time series, and create figures showing water level variability. For the water quality component, the student will help analyze PACE and other optical satellite products to summarize indicators such as chlorophyll-a, turbidity, suspended sediment, or algal bloom-related conditions.

Expected outputs include a documented data-processing workflow, organized satellite data files for selected study sites, maps of water level or water quality conditions, time-series plots, exploratory statistical summaries, publication-quality figures or tables, and a short final report or presentation.

The student will work closely with graduate students in the Hydroclimate–Society Lab. The student will also have weekly meetings with the faculty supervisor to review progress, troubleshoot challenges, interpret results, and connect the work to broader research objectives. The research results are expected to contribute to a peer-reviewed journal publication, and the student may be invited to participate as a co-author if their contributions meet authorship expectations.

Skills required:
The student should have a background in civil or environmental engineering, geography, remote sensing, Earth system science, hydrology, environmental science, data science, computer science, or a related field. Experience with Python, R, GIS, Google Earth Engine, geospatial data, or remote sensing would be useful. Advanced remote-sensing expertise is not required, but strong motivation to learn satellite data analysis is essential.

Research area: My research focuses on erosion and scour caused by turbulent water jets, including cases where material is eroded by individual particles and where erosion occurs as masses or lumps of soil. A key concern is predicting the time development of scour holes and estimating the maximum scour depth under given flow conditions. Turbulent water jets form downstream of many hydraulic structures, including low-head dams, circular outlets, and culverts. Predicting scour caused by these jets is important for designing erosion protection and ensuring structural stability.

Student roles:
The student will be involved in all stages of the research project. They will begin by collecting, reading, and synthesizing published papers related to circular wall jet scour, cohesive soil erosion, and scour prediction. This literature review will be used to help refine the experimental plan and identify the key parameters that should be considered in the study.

The student will then help design and construct the experimental setup in the hydraulics laboratory. This will include assisting with the preparation of the test section, sediment placement, flow conditions, and measurement system. In consultation with the supervisor and laboratory engineer, the student will help develop the experimental plan, including the selection of soil and sediment types, jet flow conditions, and measurement intervals.
The student will conduct the experiments with assistance from the laboratory engineer and will be responsible for organizing and processing the collected data. They will analyze the development of the scour hole with time, compare results between different materials and flow conditions, and contribute to the development of predictive relationships for scour growth.

At the end of the project, the student will prepare a final report summarizing the literature review, experimental methods, results, and conclusions. It is expected that the results from this work will also form the basis of a journal paper.

Skills required:
The student should be majoring in civil engineering and have completed at least one course in fluid mechanics and one course in geotechnical engineering.

Research area: Dr. AbdelRahman's research focuses on the structural behaviour and seismic response of masonry and concrete structures. His research experience includes behavior of masonry and concrete structures, large scale experimental testing, analytical studies, seismic behaviour of reinforced masonry walls and buildings, high-fidelity numerical modelling, 3D-printed concrete, and assessment of element- and system-level performance of buildings. Dr. AbdelRahman’s research has been published in peer-reviewed leading journals, such as Engineering Structures, ASCE Journal of Structural Engineering, Journal of Building Engineering, and Construction and Building Materials.

Student roles:
The Globalink Research Intern will play an active role in supporting the research on the seismic collapse assesment of reinforced masonry shear walls. Their responsibilities will be flexible and assigned based on their background, interests, and strengths. The role may include:

• Conducting literature reviews: Reviewing recent research on reinforced masonry walls, structural behaviour, and modelling techniques to support the project’s methodology.
• Creating and modifying geometric models: Preparing CAD models of wall geometries for simulation.
• Developing numerical models: Assisting in building, refining, and running numerical models to simulate the behaviour of masonry walls.
• Analyzing simulation results: Interpreting stress distributions, load–displacement responses, and failure patterns from analytical or numerical outputs.
• Supporting experimental validation: Helping prepare test specimens, set up instrumentation, and assist with data collection during laboratory testing.
• Processing and organizing data: Cleaning, plotting, and summarizing experimental and numerical data using EXCEL, MATLAB, Python, or similar tools.
• Contributing to documentation and reporting: Preparing figures, summarizing findings, and assisting in drafting sections of technical reports or publications.
• Participating in research meetings: Sharing progress, discussing challenges, and collaborating with the research team to refine approaches.

Skills required:
Applicants should preferably have some of the following background or skills:
Structural analysis fundamentals: Understanding of axial, shear, and flexure loading, stress–strain behavior, failure modes, and basic reinforced concrete or masonry mechanics.
Ability to use Microsoft Office tools, MATLAB, or similar tools for data processing.
CAD and geometry modeling: Experience creating or modifying wall geometries in CAD tools for simulation.
Experimental testing exposure: Prior lab experience with material or structural testing.
Ability to summarize results, prepare figures, and contribute to reports or publications.
Attention to detail and research mindset, careful data handling, and willingness to iterate and validate models.

Research area: My research focuses on earthquake engineering, with an emphasis on the seismic response of nonstructural components (NSCs) in buildings. These elements, such as equipment and architectural systems, can experience significant damage during earthquakes, even when the main structure remains intact. I investigate their behavior under seismic loading, particularly for anchored and unanchored configurations, where mechanisms such as rocking, sliding, and uplift are critical. The work involves developing simplified and advanced numerical models to improve understanding and prediction of their response. This research supports performance-based seismic design and contributes to enhancing the resilience and safety of built infrastructure.

Student roles:
The student will play an active role in developing and applying a simplified numerical model to investigate the seismic response of nonstructural components. Their tasks will include conducting a focused literature review to understand key concepts such as rocking and sliding, and implementing a 2D rigid block model using Python or MATLAB. The student will perform simulations under selected seismic inputs, incorporating simplified assumptions such as rigid body motion and Coulomb friction. The student will analyze and visualize results, compare anchored and unanchored configurations, and carry out a parametric study to assess the influence of key variables, including friction, geometry, and ground motion intensity. The student will document their work and present findings in a final report and oral presentations under close supervision.

Skills required:
The student should be in the final years of an undergraduate program in civil engineering or a related field. A basic understanding of structural mechanics and dynamics is recommended. Familiarity with programming (Python, MATLAB, or similar) is expected, although advanced coding experience is not required. The student should have strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and an interest in earthquake engineering and research. Experience with numerical modeling or data analysis is an asset but not mandatory. The project is designed to be accessible, with guidance and training provided throughout the internship.

Research area: I specialize in Structural engineering branch of Civil Engineering with emphasis on new and innovative materials and their combinations for structural applications. I also focus on the sustainability of structures subjected to environmental exposures and extreme loads such as earthquake.

Student roles:
The Interns will work with a Postdoctoral Fellow and a PhD student in our Structures Laboratories as well as on data analysis and modelling. Their jobs will include design of specimens, help with construction and testing of specimens, and analysis of test data. If time permits, the interns will also be able to participate in analytical modelling and validation against the test data.

Skills required:
The interns should know the basic knowledge of mechanics of materials, structural analysis and basic design of reinforced concrete members. Working knowledge of related computer programs is essential.

Research area: My research area is intelligent transportation, with a focus on road safety, street functions and traffic data collection. The general goal is to develop computational tools that provide ways to perform more accurate and efficient data collection and road safety analysis. For that purpose, we develop algorithms and software to demonstrate these new methods.

Student roles:
As part of a research team developing automated methods for road traffic monitoring and safety analysis, the student will develop the code and test it on real data. The project steps are the following:
1. Review of existing methods to extract road user trajectories and volumes from stereo cameras videos;
2. Selection of methods to investigate;
3. Collect and annotate video data from a stereo camera to test the methods;
4. Testing and benchmarking existing methods, and improvements to the methods if possible;
5. Presentation of the results in a conference and a paper submitted to a public repository (e.g. ArXiv);
The student is expected to present the work in several internal and public forums to get feedback and improve the results.

Skills required:
The student is expected to have good programming skills, i.e. at least the working knowledge of an object-oriented programming language like C++, Java, or Python.
It is also desirable that the student has good knowledge of computer vision and machine learning, as well as good software engineering habits (version control, compilation process using Make or CMake, etc.). Knowledge of Linux and the OpenCV library is a plus.
Although the student does not have to be a software engineer, he/she should be dedicated to developing quality software that can be easily maintained. Interest for transport is a plus.

Research area: Cities around the world remain at significant risk of catastrophic damage to structures or significant loss of life due to seismic hazards. State-of-the-art seismic protection technologies, such as base isolation, aim to significantly reduce the seismic demand on a structure. However, base isolation is costly which acts as a barrier to its application especially in developing countries where the damage due to earthquakes is most severe. Research is being conducted to develop methods of applying base isolation to structures re-using widely available waste products (i.e., scrap tires). The research promotes resilience to earthquakes and sustainability.

Student roles:
Students will have the opportunity to conduct their own research project while working in collaboration with other graduate students. In all cases, the student will be responsible for producing original results and contributing to an active research program. There are opportunities to conduct laboratory experiments, finite element analysis, numerical simulation, development of design guidelines, or a combination of the above. Weekly meetings will be held with the supervisor to maintain momentum and productivity. Students will be given considerable flexibility to set their own research direction under the guidance of the supervisor and within the description and constraints of the research project.

Skills required:
Applicants require a strong background in mechanics with an interest in earthquake engineering and structural dynamics. Strong analytical and mathematical skills are an asset. Experience with, or a desire to learn, experimental testing, finite element analysis, non-linear numerical analysis, and general programming skills is required. Most importantly, the applicant should have a willingness to learn and a desire to try new things.

Research area: My research is focused on ensuring that we have safe and sustainable infrastructure. More specifically, my group carries out experimental testing to evaluate the behaviour of structural systems under a variety of load types, including static and simulated earthquake loads. Structural systems of interest include mass timber, concrete, and hybrid steel-timber systems. To provide unprecedented insight into the behaviour of these systems my group also uses state-of-the-art sensing equipment, including digital image correlation and distributed fibre optic strain sensors.

Student roles:
A student in a civil engineering laboratory experiment plays an active role in planning, conducting, analyzing, and documenting experimental work. Their responsibilities begin with reviewing the experiment objectives, relevant theory, safety procedures, and testing standards to ensure a clear understanding of the task and proper laboratory conduct.

During the experiment, the student assists in preparing specimens, setting up instrumentation and equipment, calibrating sensors when required, and following established testing procedures accurately. Students are expected to operate equipment safely, record observations and measurements carefully, and work collaboratively with team members to ensure efficient and reliable testing. Attention to detail is critical, as accurate data collection directly affects the quality and validity of the experimental results.

Students also contribute to troubleshooting minor issues that may arise during testing, while communicating with laboratory instructors or supervisors when technical or safety concerns occur. Maintaining a clean and organized workspace and adhering to laboratory safety protocols are essential responsibilities throughout the experiment.

After testing, the student participates in processing and analyzing experimental data using engineering principles, calculations, and software tools where appropriate. They interpret results, compare findings with theoretical predictions or design standards, and evaluate possible sources of error or uncertainty. Finally, students prepare laboratory reports or presentations that clearly summarize the methodology, results, analysis, and conclusions of the experiment.

Overall, the student’s role is to develop practical engineering skills, strengthen understanding of theoretical concepts through hands-on application, and gain experience in professional laboratory practices, teamwork, problem-solving, and technical communication.

Skills required:
The work will involve experimental testing and hands-on experience in the laboratory. Hands-on skills related to construction and building would be an asset. Students will require a basic understanding of mechanics, materials (steel and/or wood), and structural analysis. Experience using computer-aided design (CAD) software would also be valuable.

Research area: Cable-stayed bridges are becoming increasingly common and continue to break span records. Unfortunately, the cables are susceptible to wind-induced excitation which can result in large amplitude motion and potentially damage or failure. In order to mitigate damage and prevent failure, energy dissipation devices can be connected to the cable. Research is being conducted on shape memory alloys (SMAs) to reduce the vibrations in stay cables. SMAs are unique materials that exhibit hyper-elasticity as well as good energy dissipation.

Student roles:
The successful student will have the opportunity to conduct their own research scope while working in collaboration with a graduate students. In all cases, the student will be responsible for producing original results and contributing to an active research program. There are opportunities to conduct laboratory experiments, finite element analysis, numerical simulation, and much more. Weekly meetings will be held with the supervisor to maintain momentum and productivity. Students will be given considerable flexibility to set their own research direction under the guidance of the supervisor and within the description of the research project.

Skills required:
Applicants require a strong background in mechanics with an interest in structural dynamics and bridge engineering. Strong analytical and mathematical skills are an asset. Experience with, or a desire to learn, experimental testing, finite element analysis, non-linear numerical analysis, or general programming skills is required. Most importantly, the applicant should have a willingness to learn and a desire to try new things.

Research area: My research area is "Sustainable Systems" for "Wicked" problems facing the globe today. Sustainable systems are unique in that they integrates multiple facets of sustainability analysis under a single project to provide a more holistic understanding of a particular system. Wicked problems are complex challenges that involve a variety of socio-technical factors and therefore require a broader perspective in order to fully understand the problem and innovate creative solutions.

Student roles:
The intern will conduct small projects that support a senior graduate student in completing a larger project. The intern will be required to take direction from senior team members and execute work thoughtfully and effectively. It will be important for the intern to have a willingness to 'try' and then to take initiative to ask for feedback and then implement it. The student must be able to understand, speak, and write in English.

Skills required:
In order to be successful with this program, the intern should have an interest in sustainable design, life cycle and systems analysis, the environment, and materials or construction. It will be important for the intern to have an understanding of what an LCA is, familiarity with software (ex. SimaPro, OpenLCA, etc.), and a desire to support research in this area. The intern must be proficient using Microsoft Excel and Word, data management and analysis, and critical thinking, as well as communicating in English. Skills and experience with systems analysis could be an asset.

Research area: Most of my research engagement has been on sustainable transportation and logistics within the Operations Research/Operations Management. In general, I am interested in the multimodal transportation of Hazardous materials, humanitarian logistics, maritime transportation, and disruption/resilience issues in transportation and supply chains. This project is related to my ongoing research on disaster management, resiliency and adaptability in dealing with Hazmat-related accidents.

Student roles:
The students will work closely with the supervisor to:

1) Collect, organize, and review relevant and publicly available resources related to the research project.
2) Find out which analytical tools could be used in the project.
3) Write structured and organized reports and literature reviews of the findings of the research project.
4) Manage the time and other resources and maintain a good level of communication and professional behaviour during the course of the project.

Skills required:
The students will need to have the following skills/background:

1) Moderate understanding of analytical tools (such as mathematical programing, regression analysis, machine learning tools)
2) Being familiar with one programming language (such as Java, Python, C++, …)
3) Being able to synthesize information from different sources and express them clearly using scientific writing.
4) Being interested in learning how to apply scientific tools to real-life issues.

Research area: Dr. Wenbo Zheng leads a nationally recognized research program in rock mechanics, experimental geomechanics, and geohazard resilience at UNBC. His research combines advanced laboratory testing, numerical modelling, and data-driven analysis to investigate rock behaviour, fracture processes, and stability in resource and infrastructure applications. Supported by NSERC, CFI, and industry partners, his team operates UNBC’s Rock Mechanics Laboratory and collaborates internationally on sustainable geo-resource development and hazard mitigation. He has published over 60 peer-reviewed journal papers, including many with his graduate students and summer interns. Successful Globalink interns will gain hands-on experience in rock mechanics testing, data analysis, and geomechanics research.

Student roles:
The selected students will become active members of UNBC’s Rock Mechanics Laboratory and participate in all stages of the research project. Their primary responsibilities will include preparing rock specimens and proppant materials, conducting uniaxial compression and creep tests on rock samples, and performing laboratory creep experiments on propped fracture systems using advanced testing equipment. Students will assist in operating laboratory instruments, including acoustic emission monitoring systems used to detect proppant crushing and rock surface damage during testing.
The students will collect, process, and analyze experimental data to quantify the time-dependent deformation of rock–proppant systems under high closure stresses. They will investigate how rock type, proppant concentration, proppant size, and proppant material influence creep deformation and long-term mechanical behaviour. Working closely with graduate students and faculty researchers, they will help interpret laboratory observations and develop constitutive models describing the time-dependent response of propped rock fractures.
Throughout the project, students will receive training in rock mechanics, laboratory testing methods, data analysis, constitutive modelling, and scientific communication. Depending on their interests and experience, students may also contribute to literature reviews, statistical analysis, data visualization, numerical modelling, and technical report preparation.
This project provides an excellent opportunity to develop hands-on laboratory skills, quantitative analytical abilities, problem-solving skills, and teamwork experience within a collaborative research environment. Students will be encouraged to present their findings at research meetings and may have opportunities to contribute to conference presentations and peer-reviewed journal publications. Previous undergraduate interns in our research group have successfully co-authored scientific publications and pursued graduate studies and professional careers in geotechnical, geological, mining, petroleum, and civil engineering.

Skills required:
The students should have an engineering background in civil/geotechnical/petroleum/geological/mining. Previous experience in laboratory testing and data analysis is highly desirable.

Research area: • Dr. El-Hacha has pioneered the use of Fibre Reinforced Polymers in new constructions and strengthening structures. His work has led to enhanced structural performance and longevity, providing more sustainable and resilient infrastructure solutions. • He's been at the forefront of integrating smart materials, including Shape Memory Alloys, in construction, enabling structures to adapt to environmental changes and self-repair, thus significantly improving their lifespan and reducing maintenance costs. • His research on Ultra-High Performance Concrete has driven advancements in bridges and modular construction, offering unprecedented strength and durability. His work has set new standards for UHPC in the construction industry.

Student roles:
The student will play a vital role in conducting both experimental and analytical tasks related to the evaluation of surface preparation methods and their influence on the bond performance between Carbon Nanofibre Ultra-High-Performance Concrete (CNF-UHPC) overlays and Normal Strength Concrete (NSC) substrates. The primary responsibilities will include designing, executing, and analyzing laboratory experiments focused on quantifying tensile bond strength using the ASTM D4541-22 standard.

The student will begin by preparing old deteriorated NSC substrate specimens and applying various surface treatment techniques, including mechanical profiling, abrasive blasting, hydro-demolition, and chemical etching. This requires the operation of specialized equipment and an understanding how surface roughness impacts adhesion. The student will then accurately batch, mix, and apply CNF-UHPC overlays, ensuring homogeneous dispersion of carbon nanofibres and consistent application across test specimens.

After appropriate curing, the student will mount aluminum dollies and use a pull-off adhesion tester to quantify bond strength. Attention to detail is critical in ensuring proper adhesive curing and load alignment to avoid erroneous failure modes. The student must conduct post-test inspections to identify failure types—whether adhesive, cohesive, or interfacial—and assess bond quality. Proper documentation of test conditions, surface texture profiles, and failure modes will be required for result interpretation.

In addition to experimental work, the student will be responsible for analyzing the results to identify trends and draw conclusions on the efficacy of each surface preparation method. They will also contribute to developing recommendations for field application, suggesting best practices for achieving durable CNF-UHPC overlays on deteriorated concrete structures.

Throughout the project, the student will prepare reports, assist with publication materials, and present findings. This role provides valuable experience in concrete rehabilitation, materials science, and structural durability, offering significant technical and practical exposure to real-world infrastructure challenges.

Skills required:
The student should have a background in structural engineering with a strong knowledge of concrete materials and repair techniques. Laboratory experience in surface preparation of concrete, mixing and casting CNF-UHPC, and conducting interface bond strength tests (e.g., ASTM D4541) is essential. Skills in using testing equipment (pull-off testers, grinders, blasters) and instrumentation for failure analysis are required. The student must be detail-oriented, capable of preparing and evaluating multiple surface finishes, and skilled in analyzing bond behaviour and failure modes. Strong technical writing and data interpretation skills are also necessary for documenting results and contributing to practical repair recommendations.

Research area: My research is conducted in the Facility for Innovative Materials and Infrastructure Monitoring (FIMIM) and deals with development of sustainable cement-based materials containing macro, micro and nano reinforcement. My area also includes use of innovative non-destructive tests (NDTs) for determining properties of these composites.

Student roles:
Role of the student and specific learning outcomes:
The student will be required to take the lead in using NDTs to evaluate properties of composites containing fiber reinforcement. The student may be required to work under the supervision of other graduate students or lab technicians in a lab environment. The student will also be required to conduct research on fiber-reinforced sustainable composites, analyze the results and potentially present to the engineering community at a suitable venue.
The learning outcomes will not be limited to the following:
• Designing experimental test set-up according to ASTM standards
• Setting-up data acquisition system according to manufacturer’s instructions
• Test and analyze research data using computational software and image analysis
• Submit a formal report and make a formal presentation to an engineering audience

Skills required:
Previous experience with materials especially cement/concrete and other construction materials is required. Experience with instrumentation and setting-up data acquisition systems will be an asset. Good communication skills and the ability to work in a team environment is a must.

Research area: Our research explores sustainable and intelligent building systems, focusing on data-driven methods for improving energy efficiency, occupant comfort, and environmental performance. We integrate engineering, computer science, and architecture to develop tools and simulations that support better building design and operation. Projects may involve analyzing real-world building data, applying machine learning for performance prediction, or creating visualization tools for energy use. This is an excellent opportunity to gain interdisciplinary research experience, contribute to impactful sustainability solutions, and develop technical skills in data analysis, programming, and modeling. We welcome students with interests in engineering, computer science, or environmental design.

Student roles:
The student will play a central and hands-on role in exploring how large language models (LLMs) can be used to automate and accelerate the development of building energy models. They will work collaboratively with supervisors and potentially other researchers to design, implement, and evaluate prototype workflows that integrate LLMs with building simulation tools.

A primary responsibility will be experimenting with different methods for extracting structured data from unstructured or semi-structured sources, such as architectural briefs, construction documents, or building databases. This could involve using prompt engineering, fine-tuning existing models, or leveraging retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) techniques to connect LLMs to building-specific knowledge bases.

The student will also investigate how natural language inputs (e.g., “a five-story office building with double-glazed windows and natural ventilation”) can be translated into simulation-ready inputs for tools like EnergyPlus or OpenStudio. They will test how well LLMs can generate code, input files, or structured parameter sets, and assess the quality and accuracy of these outputs.

In addition to technical tasks, the student is expected to document their work clearly, maintain organized code repositories, and contribute to project reports or publications. If applicable, they may also participate in user testing or workshops to gather feedback on their tools from designers or engineers.

This role is ideal for a student interested in applying AI to real-world sustainability challenges. While prior knowledge of building simulation is not essential, the student should be comfortable with programming (preferably in Python), curious about language models, and willing to engage with interdisciplinary content spanning both technology and building science.

Regular supervision and mentorship will support the student’s learning and ensure the work aligns with research objectives, with the potential for the project to contribute to a publication or longer-term research effort.

Skills required:
Programming experience (Python preferred), familiarity with building science or energy modeling is a plus but not required. Interest in AI, natural language processing, or sustainable technology is highly encouraged.

Research area: I solve infrastructure and construction management problems using data science, (artificial intelligence) AI and optimization techniques. I have applied machine learning and optimization to a variety of problems: project scheduling and resource leveling and maintenance, life-cycle cost management, infrastructure deterioration modeling, circular economy of soil and climate change adaptation for infrastructure. I am currently focused on quantifying impact of climate change on infrastructure using data analytics and AI.

Student roles:
Student will analyze data, clean data, write codes to train machine learning algorithms

Skills required:
Civil engineering; statistics; data analysis; machine learning

Research area: -Emergent contaminant treatment - Resource recovery - Mining impacted water treatment

Student roles:
The student will be invited to conduct experiments on water treatment, analyzing data and writing a report along with a litterature review

Skills required:
We are seeking outstanding, enthusiastic candidates holding a degree in biotechnology engineering, microbiology, bioprocess engineering, environmental sciences, or a related field with basic knowledge of chemistry. Candidates with experience in microbiology and enzymatic degradation of pollutants will be prioritized.

Research area: My research interests lie in the field of rock mechanics, with a strong focus on the characterization and modeling of discontinuous rock masses for mining and civil engineering applications. I am particularly interested in using discrete fracture networks (DFNs) to represent the complex geometry and behavior of fractured rock masses. This approach enables advanced analysis of water flow in fractured systems, which is critical for both stability assessments and environmental considerations. My work also includes studying the stability of underground excavations and rock slopes, aiming to develop more reliable predictive models and improve design practices in challenging geological settings.

Student roles:
Intern 1: Perform experimental tests on rock mass permeability using 3D-printed models.
Intern 2: Model fractured rock masses using discrete fracture networks (DFNs) and investigate rock mass permeability at field scale.
Intern 3: Perform stability analysis of underground excavations in rock, considering water pressure acting on fractures.

Skills required:
Interns should have completed undergraduate courses in geotechnics (preferably soil and rock mechanics), hydraulics or hydrogeology, and basic statistics.

Research area: This research investigates: (1) How can seepage flow from Tailings Storage Facilities (TSF) be predicted by integrating seepage field monitoring? (2) How can geotechnical field monitoring inform TSF stability and deformation modelling considering uncertainty in geometry and material properties? (3) How can streamflow forecasting and catchment hydrology analysis improve water resources management of TSF?

Student roles:
Assist the main researcher in setting up and running models in HEC-HMS and GoldSim software.

Skills required:
Fluid mechanics and hydrology.

Research area: Canada’s population is expected to increase by approximately 30% in next 25 years, and our transport infrastructure such as bridges need to grow with it, while maintaining safe and reliable operations under soaring traffic volume. Unfortunately, most of the existing infrastructure in North America were built shortly after Second World War and they are close to their remaining useful life. In these aging bridges, overweight trucks lead to severe damages and accelerate the degradation of road infrastructure. Weigh-in motion (WIM) techniques allow bridge engineers to track overweight trucks and prevent catastrophic failure of the bridges due to overloading.

Student roles:
The intern will develop a simulation model represented by a finite-element computer model where two types of boundary conditions will be used (simply-supported and fixed-fixed) to simulate real-world applications. The moving vehicle will be modelled as a 4 degree-of-freedom two-axle system. The main body and tire masses will be connected to each other and to the road profile by spring and dashpot system. Vehicle properties will be assumed to follow a normal distribution and then Monte Carlo simulation will be used to generate traffic populations. The traffic populations will then be applied in the computer model of the bridge and the simulated response will be used to identify truck weight using the proposed algorithm.
Once the algorithm is verified using the simulation model, full-scale studies will be conducted to check the accuracy of the proposed approach. In collaboration with the City of London, Dr. Sadhu has already identified several bridges in London that are subjected to overweight trucks. These bridges will be instrumented using the existing sensors of Dr. Sadhu’s laboratory. The measured responses will be used to check the accuracy of identification of truck weights and vehicular characteristics.

Skills required:
The intern should have strong interest in structural engineering. A preliminary knowledge in structural dynamics and finite element modeling is a prerequisite. Programming skills in Matlab or C will be preferred, but not mandatory.

Research area: My primary research area revolves around performance assessment of civil infrastructure under dynamic loads. My current research focuses on lightweight infrastructure, which has two main objectives: (i) developing innovative design solutions for sustainable constructions; (ii) establishing economic maintenance solutions. In specific, the main tasks of the current research projects include performance assessment of lively bridges and floors under different dynamic loading conditions such as pedestrian-induced walking loads, vehicular loads, seismic excitations etc. Combined experimental and analytical approaches are employed in meeting the objectives of the projects.

Student roles:
1. Understand the fundamentals of wind-induced vibration mechanisms and perform simple frequency and resonance calculations for a typial bridge
2. Develop a basic numerical model to simulate bridge vibrations and study the effects of mass, stiffness, and damping on response.
3. Evaluate simple vibration control strategies and summarize findings in concise reports and presentations.

Skills required:
Prior courses in the areas of structural mechanics and structural analysis are required. Background on structural dynamics and finite element analysis will be advantageous to numerically perform the dynamic analysis of the bridges as described in the project description. In terms of programming and software skill sets, an ability to numerically model structures in finite element software is required along with programming ability in Matlab. Finally, a good mathematical background is an asset.