R&D Maintenance & Climate Intern

About the role#

We are looking for a motivated university intern for a 6 to 12-month placement to support Canada Rail in studying critical railway infrastructure challenges. This role focuses on researching flying ballast phenomena and the icing of overhead catenary systems to support the development of high-speed rail projects in Canada.

What you'll do#

• Conduct an in-depth literature review on flying ballast phenomena, including aerodynamics and train-track interaction.
• Study icing, ice accumulation, and freezing rain mechanisms affecting overhead catenary systems.
• Analyze physical factors such as air pressure waves, ballast properties, thermal exchanges, and pantograph-catenary interactions.
• Identify, classify, and assess the maturity and effectiveness of international mitigation technologies and best practices.
• Develop evidence-based recommendations and technical notes for engineering teams.
• Collaborate closely with Canada Rail staff and the Cadence innovation team.
• Participate in technical meetings to present findings and integrate feedback.

What you'll need#

• Current university student in Mechanical, Civil, or Aerospace Engineering, Physics, or a related field.
• Knowledge of scientific research methods.
• A basic understanding of fluid dynamics.
• Foundational knowledge in thermodynamics or materials science.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to synthesize complex information.

Location & details#

• Location: Montreal, Quebec, Canada.
• Modality: On-site.
• Employment type: Full-time internship.
• This is a paid position.