Fw: Postdoctoral Fellowship: Socio-Political Impacts of AI-Driven Battery Materials Discovery
Kean D. Birch
Sent: 29 May 2025 15:51
To: Kean D. Birch <ke...@yorku.ca>
Subject: Postdoctoral Fellowship: Socio-Political Impacts of AI-Driven Battery Materials Discovery
Hello Professor Birch,
I hope you are well. I was a student in your graduate course “Political Economy of Technoscience” in 2019. I am currently working as a postdoc at U of T Scarborough, Department of Human Geography. The lab I work with is hiring another postdoc for a project focused on AI, self-driving labs, and battery materials from a social sciences and humanities perspective (more information below).
I was wondering if you would be willing to circulate the job posting within your networks. Perhaps you work with PhD candidates or recent graduates who are looking for postdoc work. I was also wondering if you know of any relevant York U science and technology studies listservs or admin people that might be relevant for circulating this job posting?
Job posting information here and below: https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/research/postdoctoral-fellowship-iecs-iiesl-2025#apply-now
Thanks for your help!
Best,
Isaac
The Institute for Environment, Conservation and Sustainability & Institute for Inclusive Economies and Sustainable Livelihoods invite applications for a Postdoctoral Fellowship in the Socio-Political Impacts of AI-Driven Battery Materials Discovery, in connection with “Automating Extraction” (AE), a research project based at the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC). The AE project explores the socio-political, economic, and epistemological implications of Self-Driving Labs (SDLs)—automated, AI-driven research environments—being developed to accelerate the discovery of new battery materials in support of energy transition. While these technologies promise to optimize materials research and reduce reliance on scarce minerals, they are also poised to reshape extractive economies, scientific labour, and global critical mineral supply chains in ways that remain under-examined. Our research will analyze the socio-political, epistemic, and economic impacts of SDL-driven battery material innovation by: (1) reviewing the development of SDLs in scientific and industrial knowledge production; (2) mapping the geographies of SDL research in global battery production networks; (3) examining how environmental justice advocates and affected communities could engage with or contest SDL-driven shifts in expertise, decision-making, and resource frontiers; and (4) generating insights to help industry, policymakers, and affected communities.
We seek a researcher trained in one or more of the following fields: critical infrastructure studies, economic geography, energy humanities, environmental studies, media and communication studies, science and technology studies, or a related discipline in the humanities or social sciences. The postdoctoral fellow will contribute to core research activities—including interviews, discourse analysis, and case study design—and will have the opportunity to pursue independent research aligned with the project’s aims. The position offers a rare opportunity to shape critical inquiry into the ethical, political, and environmental implications of AI in scientific practice, and to contribute to debates about sustainable and just energy transitions. Applicants should demonstrate a strong record of interdisciplinary scholarship and a commitment to research that engages with public, policy, or community stakeholders.
Fellows will work with researchers based in UTSC’s Institute for Environment, Conservation and Sustainability (IECS) and Institute for Inclusive Economies and Sustainable Livelihoods (IIESL). This project is supported by resources from the Acceleration Consortium, a global network of government, academia, and industry working to accelerate the discovery of materials.
Responsibilities:
- Present at national and international conferences.
- Assist in the development of an agenda-setting paper outlining a critical framework for studying AI-driven materials discovery in the context of energy transition; produce research to be published in top-tier academic journals.
- Lead the development of a report regarding policy-oriented findings of the AE project.
- Organize and participate in research workshops, seminars, and conferences.
- Collaborate with faculty, students, and external partners to advance the missions of the IECS and IIESL.
- Engage with community leaders and policymakers in Toronto on issues related to AI, environment, and climate change.
Qualifications:
- Ph.D. in anthropology, economics, economic geography, environmental humanities, environmental studies, science and technology studies, media and communication studies, sociology, or a related field.
- Proven research interest and expertise in resource extraction, socio-political implications of AI, energy transition, and the geopolitics of battery supply chains
- Strong track record of interdisciplinary and collaborative research. Excellent written and oral communication skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Application Instructions:
Interested candidates should submit the following documents:
- A detailed CV (max. 3 pages)
- A cover letter outlining research interests and fit with the project (max. 1 page)
- A description of current individual research project(s) (1 page)
- A brief sketch (max. 1 page + citations) of a possible research direction you might pursue as part of this project. We’re less interested in fully developed proposals than in what excites you and how your expertise could contribute to the Automating Extraction project
- Contact information for 2 academic references (referees will only be contacted if a candidate advances to the final shortlist)
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Starting date: |
September or October 2025 (flexible to accommodate the candidate’s schedule or immigration requirement, if needed). |
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Duration: |
Initial appointment is for 1 year, renewable for a second year subject to performance/suitable progress and funding availability. |
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FTE: |
100% The normal hours of work are 40 hours per week for a full-time postdoctoral fellow (pro-rated for those holding a partial appointment) recognizing that the needs of the employee’s research and professional development and the needs of the supervisor’s research program may require flexibility in the performance of the employee’s duties and hours of work. |
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Time allocation: |
25 hours per week for work related to the Automating Extraction project, 15 hours per week for own research. |
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Location: |
The postdoc will be expected to be in residence in Toronto. In-person meetings at the University of Toronto. |
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Compensation: |
CAD $ 70,000 per year salary Please note that should the minimum rates stipulated in this posting fall below the rates stated in the collective agreement, the minimum rates stated in the collective agreement shall prevail. |
Application Deadline: July 15, 2025
Please send the documents to co-supervisors (contact information below).
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Co-supervisors: |
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Imre Szeman Director, Institute for Environment, Conservation and Sustainability Opens a new window(IECS) and Professor of Human Geography, University of Toronto Scarborough |
Sergio Montero Director, Institute for Inclusive Economies & Sustainable Livelihoods, and Associate Professor of Human Geography, University of Toronto Scarborough |
Employment as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the University of Toronto is covered by the terms of the CUPE 3902 Unit 5 Collective Agreement. This job is posted in accordance with the CUPE 3902 Unit 5 Collective Agreement.
This job is posted in accordance with the CUPE 3902 Unit 5 Collective Agreement.
The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission.
Isaac Thornley
(he/him)
Postdoctoral Fellow, Department of Human Geography
Institute for Environment, Conservation, and Sustainability (IECS)
University of Toronto Scarborough
