Priority may be given to the following designated employment equity groups: women, Indigenous Peoples* (First Nations, Inuit and Métis), persons with disabilities and racialized persons*. ~ The Employment Equity Act , which is under review, uses the terminology Aboriginal peoples and visible minorities.

Organizational Unit: Quantum and Nanotechnologies Language Requirements: English Due to the nature of the work and operational requirements, this position will require full time physical presence at the NRC work location identified. At the NRC, we recognize that Indigenous candidates may have important connections to their communities and you may be eligible for an exception to this work arrangement. To learn more about these options, please contact the NRC Hiring team using the contact information below.

Anything is possible at the NRC, named in 2026 one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, Top Employer in the National Capital Region and Forbes Canada’s Best Employers! As Canada’s largest research and innovation organization, our world-renowned research pushes the boundaries of science and engineering to make the impossible, possible. Every day we explore new ideas through innovative research and help companies discover possibilities that impact Canada’s future and the world.

You’ll collaborate across multiple fields and with the brightest minds to find creative solutions. Are you a photonics researcher who wants to build the photonic foundation of next-generation space telescopes? You will lead the photonic integrated circuit (PIC) sub-system of TESERACT (Twin Earth SEnsoR Astrophotonic CubeSat), a 6U mission demonstrating chip-scale spectroscopy in space and de-risking astrophotonic technologies for future flagship observatories, including the Habitable Worlds Telescope.





The long-term objective is a multi-object spectral characterization instrument for biosignature detection on Earth‑like exoplanets, with applications in Earth observation. The work shifts from bulk optics to chip-scale photonic processing, improving size, weight, power, cost, stability, and scalability while maintaining high resolution.

Key technical areas: active spectral filtering; You will collaborate with NRC Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of Toronto, and Queen's University Belfast, with travel to Victoria, BC and the UK. Design, simulate (FDTD: Lumerical, Tidy3D, OptiFDTD), and lay out PICs (gdspy, Nazca, gdsfactory, Luceda, KLayout) for tape‑out. Characterize PICs optically and support packaging and fiber‑optic coupling.

Applicants must demonstrate within the content of their application that they meet the following screening criteria in order to be given further consideration as candidates: D. in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Photonics, Optical Engineering, or a closely related field. As part of the RA Program you must have received your PhD Electrical Engineering, Physics, Photonics, Optical Engineering, or a closely related field within the last five years or you expect to receive the degree within the next six months.

Experience in optical characterization and laboratory work. Must be able to travel across Canada and/or internationally to represent NRC. Language requirements English Information on language requirements and self‑assessment tests Technical competencies Strong ability to design and optimize integrated optic devices, model their optical,



optoelectronic, thermal‑optical properties using commercial and in‑house design.

Strong ability to use simulation software tools including finite difference time domain methods (FDTD), eigenmode expansion methods (EME), or finite‑element methods (FEM), using tools like Lumerical, Tidy3D, OptiFDTD, Meep and analytical formulae. Significant knowledge of integrated photonics and device physics. Ability to measure, analyze and interpret key passive and active waveguide device performance parameters.

Significant knowledge of integrated photonic platforms, trade‑offs, and chip interfacing/packaging.

Assets

Research - Creative thinking (Level 2) Research - Results orientation (Level 2) Research - Communication (Level 2) Research - Initiative (Level 2) Research - Teamwork (Level 2) For this position, the NRC will evaluate candidates using the following competency profile(s): Research The intent of this hiring action is to staff the position at the AsRO level, which is an early‑career level position with a salary range of $83,985 to $116,641. This wide range accounts for varying degrees of expertise and impact, and growth within the role.

NOTE: The Research Associate (RA) Program is unique to the NRC. Candidates are remunerated based on their expertise, skill, outcomes and impacts of their previous work experience. NRC employees enjoy a wide-range of competitive benefits including a robust pension plan, comprehensive health and dental coverage, disability and life insurance, office closure at the end of December, and additional supports to enhance your well‑being throughout your career and beyond.

Relocation assistance will be determined in accordance with the NRC's directives. Preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada.

Telephone: (phone hidden)

📌 Research Associate I (Permanent Full TIme) (Ottawa)
🏢 National Research Council Canada / Conseil national de recherches Canada
📍 Ottawa