Marguerite Mendell

Concordia University’s Volt-Age / Quebec Sustainable Social and Community Housing Living Lab is recruiting a fully funded PhD student for Fall 2026 in social economy, policy, and community-driven energy transition . The project sits at the intersection of social finance , impact investing , public policy , housing policy , energy transition policy , and community-based research , with a strong focus on decarbonization and electrification in social, affordable, and low-income housing. The successful candidate will work with Professor Marguerite Mendell at the School of Community and Public Affairs , Concordia University, Montreal, Canada. The research program includes participatory and community-led energy transition models, solidarity finance approaches in housing and energy, and financial tools supporting retrofit and electrification in social housing. The role also involves policy recommendations, stakeholder roadmaps, co-governance frameworks, impact assessment, and dissemination outputs such as policy briefs and reports. This opportunity is especially relevant for applicants with a master’s degree in Economics, Public Policy, Political Science, Development Studies, Sociology, or a related field. Strong preparation in policy analysis, qualitative research, financial mechanisms, community engagement, and housing or energy transition policy is preferred. Experience with public sector, NGOs, or community organizations is also valued. Funding is clearly stated: the PhD is fully funded, including tuition coverage and a competitive stipend, with a fellowship of 35K CAD per year for 4 years . The post indicates that applications are considered on a rolling basis, so early submission is encouraged. To apply, prepare a single PDF containing a letter of intent, academic CV, unofficial transcripts, referee contacts, publications if available, and any other supporting documents. Email the package to [email protected] with the subject line Social economy_Your name .

The Quebec Sustainable Social and Community Housing Living Lab at Concordia University offers a fully funded PhD fellowship focused on advancing decarbonization and electrification in social, affordable, and low-income housing. This innovative project integrates technical solutions with community engagement to address the needs of sectors often excluded from market-driven retrofits. The Living Lab encompasses four distinct sites across Quebec: Longueuil (cooperative housing retrofit), Montreal-Nord (Black community housing project), Hochelaga (social housing project), and Montreal (public social housing project), each in partnership with key community organizations and public agencies. Supervised by Professor Marguerite Mendell in the School of Community and Public Affairs, the PhD candidate will conduct research on participatory and community-led energy transition models, analyze social economy and solidarity finance approaches in housing and energy, and evaluate financial tools supporting retrofit and electrification in social housing. The role includes developing policy recommendations for equitable energy transition, creating stakeholder-specific roadmaps for the living labs, documenting co-governance frameworks, analyzing policy and regulatory contexts, conducting impact assessments, and developing long-term community-led monitoring and evaluation frameworks. The candidate will engage stakeholders to validate findings and prepare policy briefs, reports, and dissemination materials. Applicants must have a Master’s degree in Economics, Public Policy, Political Science, Development Studies, Sociology, or a related field. Experience with policy analysis, qualitative research, financial mechanisms (such as social finance or public funding), and participatory or community-based research approaches is required. Familiarity with social economy or community economic development, knowledge of housing or energy transition policy, experience with impact assessment or program evaluation, strong writing skills, and experience working with public sector, NGOs, or community organizations are essential. The ability to work independently and in interdisciplinary teams is also expected. The fellowship provides full tuition coverage and a competitive stipend of 35,000 CAD per year for four years. The research environment is interdisciplinary, combining policy, economics, and community-based research, with opportunities for direct engagement with community organizations, public agencies, and social finance actors. The candidate will contribute to policy development, financial tools, and co-governance frameworks, and will have access to Volt-Age training programs in leadership, communication, and applied research. Support for publications, conferences, and knowledge mobilization activities is also offered. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. To apply, send a single PDF containing a letter of intent, academic CV, unofficial transcripts, names and emails of three referees, publications (with links), and any other supporting documents to [email protected]. Use the subject line 'Social economy_Your name'. For questions, contact Alisa Makusheva at [email protected]. For more information, visit the project page: Quebec Sustainable Social and Community Housing Living Lab .