Faculté des arts et des sciences Courtois postdoctoral competition

The Trottier Institute for Research on Exoplanets (IREx), affiliated with the Département de physique of de Université de Montréal, encourages candidates working in experimental, observational or theoretical astrophysics applied to the study of exoplanets or related fields of astrophysics and astronomical instrumentation to apply to the new Courtois Scientific Vanguard Fund of the Faculté des arts et des sciences Postdoctoral Competition.

The competition was launched in June 2025 by the Faculté des arts et des sciences of  the Université de Montréal, thanks to a generous donation from the Fondation Courtois.

Six (6) fellows will receive support to conduct research in the natural and formal sciences, including, but not limited to, physics (astrophysics), chemistry, biology, earth sciences, mathematics, computer science, and neuroscience.

See also the FAS announcement, which includes more information, including program objectives, timeline, Evaluation Criteria and Application procedure online at https://fas.umontreal.ca/postdoctoral-training.

Application deadline: September 23, 2025, 11:59 p.m. (ET)

• Competitive salary and benefits up to CAD$76,000/year
• Up to CAD$30,000/year in research funds, subject to justification
• Duration: 3 years

The application must include

1. A research proposal (max 6 pages) including a) Research problem b) Objectives c) Literature review d) Methodology e) Justification for integrating the project into the research areas of the supervising professor* f) Budget summary for the use of research funds g) Justification for the proposed budget h) A confirmation letter from the supervising professor who has agreed to host and supervise the applicant within their research team*;
   
2. Bibliographic references (max 1 page);
   
3. Official doctoral transcripts (please include the grading scale for non-Canadian universities);
   
4. Curriculum vitae, including publications;
   
5. Three letters of recommendation. 

*For that matter, candidates working in experimental, observational, or theoretical astrophysics applied to the study of exoplanets and related fields of astrophysics and astronomical instrumentation should reach out as soon as possible to René Doyon, the director of IREx: irex-applications@umontreal.ca) 

Eligibility Criteria

• The applicant must have obtained their doctoral degree within the five years preceding the start date of the proposed funding. Candidates who document career interruptions or specific circumstances in their application (e.g., maternity, illness, etc.) may have obtained their doctoral degree within six years prior to the start of the postdoctoral training.
• The applicant must hold Canadian citizenship, permanent residency, or a valid work permit for the period covered by the postdoctoral training, or be in the process of obtaining one for the relevant period. **
• The applicant’s research program must be an original proposal integrated into the research activities of a faculty member of the Faculty of Arts and Science working in the natural and formal sciences.
• The applicant must have received confirmation from a faculty member of the Faculty of Arts and Science who has agreed to serve as supervisor for the postdoctoral training.

** Please note that you don’t need to meet this criterion when you apply. If you are not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you will be able to apply for a work permit if and when you get the offer. This permit is required when you start your fellowship.