Postdoctoral Fellowship, Quantum Plasmonic Sensors

Automotive and Surface Transportation; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 83,000 - 117,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading Canadian research institution in Ottawa is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow to lead research in quantum plasmonic sensors. The role involves conducting innovative research and development, focusing on cutting-edge technologies to enhance sensing capabilities. Candidates should hold a PhD in Experimental Physics or a relevant engineering field. This position offers competitive compensation, a full-time work arrangement, and access to world-class facilities.

Benefits

Travel fund to support research

Comprehensive health and dental coverage

Robust pension plan

Qualifications

• Significant hands-on experience in optical spectroscopy, including design and construction of optical experiments.
• Hands-on experience in plasmonic device design and characterizations.
• Experience in quantum simulation of plasmonic cavity QED system.

Responsibilities

• Lead research and development in quantum plasmonic sensors.
• Conduct cutting-edge research in design, fabrication, modeling, and characterization of plasmonic quantum sensors.
• Explore cavity-modified chemistry under electronic or vibrational strong coupling.

Skills

Optical spectroscopy

Plasmonic device design

Quantum optics

Education

Ph.D. in Experimental Physics or relevant Engineering discipline

Tools

Nanofabrication equipment

Modeling software

Job description

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Postdoctoral Fellowship, Quantum Plasmonic Sensors

Priority will 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.

Candidates are asked to self-declare when applying to this hiring process.

OrganizationalUnit:Metrology Research Centre

Classification:RO

Duration: 2 years

Work arrangements:Due to the nature of the work and operational requirements, this position will require full-time physical presence at the at the NRC work location identified.

The program

The NRC’s Postdoctoral Fellowship program offers PDFs access to unique world-class facilities and the opportunity to work alongside multi-disciplinary teams of expert researchers and technicians on projects of critical importance to Canada. PDFs will carry out research on innovative research projects, with opportunities for career development (publications and/or industry interaction).

PDFs will be offered appointments to the staff of the National Research Council on a term basis and will be offered salaries and benefits currently available to Research Officers. Salaries commensurate with experience are taxable and subject to other deductions. As a guide, the current annual PhD recruiting rate is $83,985. In addition PDFs will be allocated a travel fund to support their work.

Quantum Plasmonic Sensors

The role

NRC is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow to lead research and development in quantum plasmonic sensors. These sensors hold the potential to revolutionize sensing capabilities, surpassing classical limits. It has been shown that quantum emitters or molecular vibrations coupled to plasmonic nanocavities can exhibit strong coupling even under ambient conditions. This provides an excellent platform for exploring cavity quantum electrodynamic light-matter interactions. The enhanced sensitivity of quantum plasmonic sensors can facilitate early detection of chemical and biological species at trace concentrations. Such sensors have the potential to achieve the highest detection sensitivity of chemical and biochemical molecules. This project will focus on exploiting the strong-coupling of quantum emitters and molecular vibrations to plasmonic nanocavities and explore cavity-modified chemistry under electronic or vibrational strong coupling. The Postdoctoral Fellow is expected to conduct cutting-edge research in the design, fabrication, modeling and characterization of the plasmonic quantum sensors. The selected PDF will have access to NRC’s world-class materials characterization and device fabrication facilities.

Education

Ph.D. in Experimental Physics or relevant Engineering discipline with focus on strong light-matter interaction, plasmonic, quantum photonics research as demonstrated by thesis work and/or publications.

• Significant hands-on experience in optical spectroscopy; including design and construction of optical experiments;
• Hands-on experience in plasmonic device design, modelling, nanofabrication and characterizations; and
• Experience in quantum optics and quantum simulation of plasmonic cavity QED system.

For a Reliability Status, verification of background information over a period of 5 years is required.

Who is eligible?

• Fellowships will be for two years contingent on satisfactory progress achieved during the first year.
• Candidates should have obtained a PhD (or equivalent) within the past three years (PhD received on or after July 1, 2023*) or expect to complete their PhD within 6 months of appointment.
• Fellows will work in a lab under the direct supervision of an NRC researcher.

*Exceptions may be considered to recognize personal or family related leave. Please connect with us using the contact information below to discuss in more detail.

Application requirements

To be considered for the program please include the following in your application, please note that you will need to attach the required documents as per the list below when submitting your application. Failure to do so will result in your application being excluded.

• Resume
• Statement of Interest in the project (maximum one page in length)
• PhD Transcript - an electronic copy is sufficient, it does not have to be an official version.
• List of Publications

When submitting your application you can include the required documents in any attachment field such as «Second language evaluation results» or «Other attachments»

In addition, applicants who best meet the requirements of the position will be asked to provide three letters of recommendation at a later stage of the competition process.

Compensation

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.

Salary determination will be based on a thorough evaluation of the successful candidate's prior experience. This evaluation will consider specific achievements, skills, and contributions that demonstrate the candidate's impact and expertise. As a guide, the average starting rate for new PhD graduates entering this role is $83,985.

The NRC is committed to supporting career progression within the organization, providing access to the opportunities and resources needed for a pathway to a fulfilling career. NRC employees also 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.

Discover the possible

Anything is possible at the NRC, named in 2025 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 leading research and technology 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.

At the NRC, you’ll also discover new possibilities. Our supportive workplace fosters a culture of creativity, welcoming fresh perspectives and innovation at all levels. We value teamwork. You’ll collaborate across multiple fields and with the brightest minds to find creative solutions. Most importantly, you’ll discover what’s possible within you as you grow, make valuable contributions and progress in your professional journey. From ground-breaking discoveries to a life-changing career, discover your possible at the NRC.

Notes

• In 2025, the NRC was chosen as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, a National Capital Region Top Employer and Forbes Canada’s Best Employer.
• Relocation assistance will be determined in accordance with the NRC's directives.
• Fellowships are open to nationals of all countries, although preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada. Please include citizenship information in your application.
• The incumbent must adhere to safe workplace practices at all times.
• We thank all those who apply, however only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Please direct your questions, with therequisition number (24542) to:

Closing Date: 19 December 2025 - 23:59 Eastern Time

*If you are currently a term or continuing employee at NRC, please apply through the SuccessFactors Careersmodule from your NRC computer.