Research and Development (R&D) Material Scientist

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories; Chalk River; On-site; CAD 75,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off

Benefits effective Day One

Tuition support

Pension plan

Job summary

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) is seeking a materials science/engineering professional to lead R&D projects focused on reactor materials. You will design and execute mechanical tests on irradiated and unirradiated materials, develop advanced testing systems, and mentor junior staff in a state-of-the-art facility in Chalk River.

You will collaborate with experts across national and commercial programs, contribute to post-irradiation examinations, and work on demanding, first-of-a-kind

Qualifications

• Minimum of a Bachelor of Engineering, or Material Science, or related disciplines from a university of recognized standing, or membership in a relevant engineering/scientific organization.
• Less than 2 years of experience; research experience in reactor materials is required.
• Experience in material testing/characterization techniques (SEM, FIB, EBSD, XRD) or material modelling would be an asset.
• Knowledge of Zr alloys would be an asset.
• Strong understanding of solid and fracture mechanics is required.

Responsibilities

• Conduct mechanical testing of irradiated and unirradiated reactor materials and fuel post-irradiation examination.
• Plan, design and set up experimental systems; conduct experiments and generate data; interpret, store and report results; program data acquisition systems.
• Design, procure and commission complex experimental apparatus for material testing projects.
• Coordinate preparation of precision specimens from irradiated and unirradiated material in labs and hot cells.
• Develop and maintain experimental facilities for mechanical testing equipment in controlled environments.
• Participate in CNL, COG and commercial R&D programs and site support including failure analyses.
• Mentor junior scientific and technical staff.
• Other duties as assigned by your manager.

Skills

Teamwork

Communication skills

Problem-solving

Solid mechanics

Project collaboration

Education

Bachelor of Engineering or Materials Science

Tools

SEM

FIB micromachining

EBSD

XRD

Job description

Imagine yourself leading innovative R&D projects that directly influence the safety and performance of nuclear materials. In this role, you’ll design and execute complex experiments, develop advanced testing systems, and work hands‑on with irradiated and unirradiated materials in state‑of‑the‑art facilities. You’ll collaborate with industry experts, mentor junior staff, and contribute to national and commercial programs that drive real impact. If you're ready to solve challenging problems and help shape the future of materials science, this is where your work will truly matter.

What will you be doing!

• Conducting key tasks associated with mechanical testing of irradiated and unirradiated nuclear reactor material and fuel post-irradiation examination.
• Executing laboratory experiments, which includes:
  • (i) planning, designing and setting up of experimental systems, (ii) conducting experiments and generating data according to plan, (iii) interpreting, storing and reporting of laboratory results, (iv) programming of data acquisition systems, and (v) interfacing with branch technical staff and collaborators.
• Designing, procuring, and commissioning complex experimental apparatus to support R&D material testing projects.
• Coordinating the preparation of precision specimens from irradiated and unirradiated material in laboratories and hot cells.
• Developing and maintaining experimental facilities for performing mechanical testing equipment in controlled environments.
• Participating in CNL, COG and commercial R&D programs as well as site support and component failure analyses on an as-required basis.
• Mentor junior scientific and technical staff.
• Other duties as assigned by your manager.

What We Are Looking For

• Education
  • Minimum of a Bachelor of Engineering, or Material Science, or related disciplines from a university of recognized standing. OR membership in an engineering or scientific professional organization authorized by statute to establish qualifications for membership in that organization.
• Experience
  • Less than 2 years of experience, and experience in the following areas would be considered an asset.
  • Research experience in the area of reactor materials is required.
  • Research experience in material testing and material characterization techniques (SEM, FIB micromachining, EBSD and XRD) or material modelling would be an asset.
  • Research experience in the areas of Zr alloys would be an asset.
  • A good understanding of solid and fracture mechanics is required.
• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
  • Working in a team environment, good oral and written communication skills are essential, as is the ability to work to schedule—a proven track record for producing high-quality work—and the ability to communicate data through memoranda and reports.
  • Possess a strong working knowledge of reactor core material performance and life management issues for Candu and/or Light Water Reactor technologies.
  • Knowledge of reactor material and testing of irradiated materials would be an asset.
  • Knowledge of mechanical testing, corrosion, fatigue, and stress corrosion cracking or welding would be an asset.
  • Knowledge of failure analysis, fractography, weld microstructures, ferrous metallurgy, and nickel alloys would be beneficial.
  • Strong problem-solving skills are essential.
  • Good organizational and work planning skills are essential.
  • Ability to work in a team environment, maintains a clear focus on team goals, and establishes good rapport with groups and individuals of many diverse professions.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills. The incumbent will be required to work on various research projects involving work in areas of material science, where limited technical information is currently available. An ideal candidate will have strong problem-solving skills to succeed in these first-of-a-kind research projects.
• Security Clearance Eligibility Required
  • Reliability Status with Site Access Security Clearance (SASC), which has a minimum requirement of 3-5 years of verifiable history in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and/or the United Kingdom. CNL implements security screening in accordance with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat's "Standard on Security Screening" and the "Policy on Government Security."

Why CNL?

Does the idea of working with a dynamic team across Canada to advance nuclear science and technology for a clean and secure world excite you? At CNL, we’re reinventing ourselves to be industry leaders—pioneering solutions to the problems that matter most.

From building the next generation of clean nuclear and hydrogen energy technologies, to developing targeted cancer treatments, to continuing our global leadership in environmental remediation—we are driven by impact, innovation, and purpose.

What We Offer: A Total Rewards Package

• Paid time off: vacation, sick, personal, and floater days
• Benefits effective Day One – no waiting period
• Tuition support to help you keep learning and growing
• A defined-benefit pension plan or a defined-contribution pension plan, depending on your employee group, to support your long‑term financial security

Do Our Priorities Resonate with You?

• Delivering clean energy for today and tomorrow
• Restoring and protecting the environment
• Contributing to the health of Canadians

If so, you’ll feel right at home at CNL!

Location: Fully Onsite

This role is a fully onsite role that requires the employee to primarily work at CNL’s Chalk River Laboratory site, with only occasional opportunities to work remotely, if desired by the employee. Located in the heart of the Ottawa Valley, our Chalk River site offers a beautiful natural setting with forests, lakes, and wildlife, right at your doorstep. Surrounded by welcoming communities such as Deep River, Petawawa, and Pembroke, you’ll have access to unparalleled outdoor adventures and a fantastic work‑life balance.

Please note: This is a fully on-site position based at our Chalk River Laboratory in Ontario.

Our Commitment to Equity, Diversity & Inclusion

At CNL, we are committed to fostering an environment that promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion.

We celebrate and welcome employees, stakeholders, and partners of all backgrounds and identities.

• Respect
• Teamwork
• Accountability
• Safety
• Integrity
• Excellence

These values drive our employment practices and ensure meaningful career development opportunities and accommodations for all employees.

CNL is an equal opportunity employer.

If you require accommodation during any phase of the hiring process, please let us know via [e-mail] . All requests will be handled with confidentiality.

CNL operates on sites located on the traditional lands, waterways and ceded and unceded territories of Indigenous peoples. CNL recognizes and affirms all First Nations, Métis communities and Inuit in this land we now know as Canada. We acknowledge, respect and seek to better understand Indigenous history, rights and title on the lands where we work and develop projects. We honour and respect the importance of the relationship between Indigenous peoples and their lands, waters and territories.