Index

• The Challenge
• The Expert's Contribution
• Eligibility
• Application Procedure
• Selection Criteria
• Arrangements
• R&D Topics

The Challenge

Transport Canada invites distinguished experts in advanced and emerging technologies to assist in the areas of transportation technology scanning, forecasting, and assessment. The Visiting Experts Program aims to:

• Stimulate innovation within Transport Canada and the Canadian transportation sector
• Foster technical excellence in Transport Canada's R&D; program
• Encourage technical experts to explore transportation R&D; opportunities

The program seeks recognized experts from the private, public, and academic sectors to spend between two to six months at the Transportation Development Centre (TDC) in Montreal. The subject of their research must relate to departmental or federal objectives and priorities regarding: transportation safety and security; productivity and competitiveness of the Canadian transportation industry; energy issues; environmental and climate change issues; and accessibility for disabled persons.

The Visiting Experts Program offers selected experts a unique opportunity to broaden their interests and to work with their colleagues in government and the private sector in exploring new technologies and practical applications to transportation. While resident at TDC, they will have access to one of the best transportation research libraries, communications services, the World Wide Web, and informatics services.

(Index)

The Expert's Contribution

Visiting experts will aid TDC to advance its knowledge and expertise in newly emerging technologies and generate innovative concepts and ideas for Transport Canada's R&D; program.

As part of the assignment, the expert will prepare a paper describing the work carried out and results achieved for publication in a recognized technical journal. Experts will be expected to present their research at a seminar to be held in either Ottawa or Montreal. They will also make recommendations to Transport Canada regarding further research in the area of study.

(Index)

Eligibility

To be eligible, candidates must be recognized experts who meet the following requirements with respect to education, experience, and research interest:

• Post-graduate degree in engineering, applied or social science, or a science-related quantitative/analytical field from a recognized university or institute.
• Ten years' work experience in a transportation-related technology or in an emerging field of technology with potential application to transportation; membership in a recognized professional association; and peer recognition of outstanding professional contributions in the form of awards, papers in refereed technical journals, patents, and the like.
• Research area related to a technical subject of current R&D; interest to Transport Canada.

Candidates with special transportation-related qualifications who do not meet all of the above requirements for a Visiting Expert may be considered under this program in the capacity of a Visiting Researcher.

(Index)

Application Procedure

There is no application form for this program; candidates may apply at any time by writing to the Executive Director, TDC.

In addition to a curriculum vitae, applications should include a brief proposal outlining the research topic to be addressed, the candidate's qualifications to conduct the proposed research, and an indication of the candidate's availability (a choice of dates is desirable to avoid rejection of worthwhile proposals because of scheduling problems).

(Index)

Selection Criteria

Eligible applications will be evaluated on the basis of the following criteria:

• Relevance of the proposed research topic to Transport Canada's R&D objectives and priorities
• Potential benefits to Transport Canada and the transportation sector
• Scope and opportunities for further R&D in the expert's field
• Qualifications of the candidate in terms of accomplishments, awards, and publications.

(Index)

Arrangements

Visiting experts will spend a two-to six-month term at TDC (a maximum of two experts will be invited at a time). An officer at TDC will be designated to serve as host for each expert. Together, the two will develop a work plan outlining specific tasks and objectives, as well as the timing of the assignment. The host will be responsible for establishing contacts within Transport Canada, providing advice and guidance as appropriate, and ensuring office space and access to TDC's research facilities during the expert's tenure at TDC.

Visiting experts will be reimbursed for travel expenses, secretarial support as required, and reasonable living costs, under a contractual arrangement to be negotiated with each candidate.

The expert will be expected to make all arrangements for personal travel, accommodation, and other assistance as required.

(Index)

R&D; Topics

The following R&D topics are currently of interest to Transport Canada:

• Intelligent transportation systems
• Satellite communication and navigation
• Human factors in transportation including ergonomics
• Environmental protection
• Technology for elderly and disabled travellers
• Energy efficiency and substitution
• Non-destructive testing technologies
• Expert systems, neural networks
• Risk assessment
• Electronics in vehicles and vessels
• Advanced materials

Applicants are not limited to these R&D subjects. Proposals for research on other topics will be evaluated on their technical merit and relevance to Transport Canada's R&D; priorities.

(Index)