1. About Institut Courtois

The mission of the Institut Courtois of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences of the Université de Montréal is to offer a space for discovery, creativity and exchange between cutting-edge theoretical and experimental approaches to research on the properties of matter.
The Institute brings together leading researchers in chemistry, physics, computer sciences and mathematics who combine their expertise to take advantage of recent advances in artificial intelligence (AI) to accelerate the discovery, development and characterization of new materials.

2. Scientific programming

2.1 Scientific and societal horizons

The Institute’s research activities are structured around four main thrusts in which new materials play a transformative role:

• Materials for the Quantum Revolution: Development of quantum materials and systems necessary for the emergence of quantum technologies.
• Materials for the energy transition: Research on energy production, storage and conversion.
• Materials for a sustainable environment: Design of material solutions that promote sustainability and environmental resilience.
• Materials for a Smart Society: Development of materials that support advanced information technologies and intelligent systems.

2.2 Cross-cutting axes

Two structuring axes run through all scientific activities:

• Modeling, theory, materials simulation and artificial intelligence: Accelerate predictive approaches and the discovery of complex systems, while promoting bidirectional interactions between AI and materials specialists.
• Automation, robotization and AI applied to experimental data: Development of high-throughput experimentation, autonomous discovery and advanced data analysis.
This program aims to create an environment conducive to the exploration of major open questions in materials science and to generate major scientific impacts.

3. Objectives of the competition

The objectives of the Institut Courtois Postdoctoral Fellowship program are to:
• Recruit high-calibre researchers for exploratory, innovative and high-impact research postdoctoral fellowships;
• To promote the development of interdisciplinary projects in chemistry, physics and computer science;
• To increase the national and international influence of the Institut Courtois.

4. Amount, duration and conditions of financing

• Salary: $63,819 CAD per year
(approximate value of $76,000 CAD including benefits)
• Research funding : up to $30,000 CAD per year, if justified
• Duration of funding : 3 years

5. Contest Calendar

• Contest launch : May 4, 2026
• Notice of intent: September 10, 2026 at 11:59 pm (EST)
• Deadline for submission: Monday, September 28, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. (ET)
• Announcement of results : January 2027
• Start of funding: between March and September 2027

6. Eligibility

To be eligible, the applicant must:

• Be enrolled, or plan to enroll, in a postdoctoral program at the Université de Montréal;
• Have obtained their doctoral degree within the three years prior to the start of funding, or plan to obtain it before the start of funding;
• Propose an original research program, in line with the expertise of the members of the Institut Courtois;
• Be legally entitled to work in Canada for the period in question (Canadian citizenship or permanent residence), or commit to taking the necessary steps to obtain a work permit. The Institut Courtois will offer support to the selected persons in their visa application process. The final allocation of the internship is conditional on obtaining the required permit.

Individuals who can justify career breaks or special circumstances (e.g., maternity, illness) may have obtained their doctorate less than four years ago at the time of the start of the internship.

7. Notice of intention

The notice of intention has to be filled out using the online form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/ZZKs4taH92?origin=lprLink .

Name of the candidate;
Title of the project;
10 key words;
Institution and year of PhD completion of the postdoctoral Fellow candidate;
Names of the three referees providing letters of reference.
Name and emails of mentors and co-mentors

8. Application file

The file must include the following documents:

8.1 Research project (maximum 6 pages)

Including:
• The problem;
• The objectives;
• A literature review;
• The methodology;
• A justification from the chosen supervisor;
• A justification for the integration of the project into the research axes of the Institut Courtois.

8.2 Other Required Documents

• A budget (using the excel extemplate provided) and a budget justification (maximum 1 page);
• Bibliographical references (maximum 1 page);
• Official doctoral transcripts (including the grading scale for non-Canadian universities);
• A curriculum vitae, including a list of publications;
• A letter of support from the Institut Courtois mentor, co-signed if applicable.

9. Letters of recommendation

Three letters of recommendation must be sent directly by the referees to the following address:
📧 institut-courtois@umontreal.ca

10. Mentor Letter of Support

The letter of support from the Institut Courtois mentor must:

• Propose three suggestions for evaluators.
• Clearly describe the innovation and value-added of the project in relation to the existing activities of the host group, particularly in relation to exploratory projects already funded by the Institute.

11. Application Instructions

1. Fill in the notice of intent before September 10, 2026

👉 https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/ZZKs4taH92?origin=lprLink

2. Letters of recommendation

Sent directly by email to institut-courtois@umontreal.ca
Subject: ICPDF2026 – letter for LAST NAME First name
File Name: Rec-letter NAME of XXX.pdf

3. Application form

Sent by email to institut-courtois@umontreal.ca
Subject: ICPDF2026 – LAST NAME First name
A single PDF file named: NOM_Prénom_FellowpostdocIC2026

Formatting
Single line spacing
Times New Roman Font, 12 points
1″ (2.54 cm) margins
Writing possible in French or English

It is recommended to consult the Heilmeier Catechism to structure the research project:
👉 https://www.darpa.mil/work-with-us/heilmeier-catechism

12. Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

Excellence of the file
• Academic excellence;
• Scientific publications and presentations;
• Scientific leadership.

Project Excellence
• Originality and innovative character;
• Feasibility;
• Added value to the mentor’s scientific programming.

Integration at the Institut Courtois
• Alignment with research axes;
• Collaboration with the members of the Institute;
• Use of the Institute’s infrastructure and resources.

The evaluation committee is composed of members with various expertise (computer science, chemistry, physics, mathematics). Applications must therefore be written in a way that is accessible to a multidisciplinary scientific audience.

13. Equity, Diversity and Inclusion

Institut Courtois is committed to promoting scientific excellence by maximizing the diversity of talent. Applications from traditionally underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged, regardless of their ethnic origin, nationality, sexual orientation or social status.

Institut Courtois Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026