Research Assistant

Employment and Social Development Canada; Ottawa; On-site; CAD 25,000 - 52,000; Part time

Job summary

Natural Resources Canada - CanmetENERGY Ottawa is seeking a graduate Research Assistant for the Research Affiliate Program. The role supports projects in carbon capture, utilization, and new Critical Minerals initiatives, with duties spanning test rigs, data collection, and reporting.

Eligibility requires enrollment in an advanced degree program, willingness to work 15–22.5 hours weekly for six months starting Fall/Winter 2026, and the ability to meet security clearance requirements.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled in a Master’s or PhD program at a recognized post‑secondary institution.
• Program must require research as part of curriculum.
• Minimum age as per provincial requirements.

Responsibilities

• Assist on projects developing and implementing carbon capture and utilization processes.
• Provide engineering support for test rigs development.
• Run experiments to collect and analyze data; perform calculations and simulations.
• Prepare reports and presentations of findings.

Skills

Engineering support

Data analysis

Laboratory work

Experimentation

Education

Master’s or PhD student

Tools

Engineering software

Data analysis tools

Job description

Research Assistant - Research Affiliate Program

Natural Resources Canada- Energy Efficiency and Technology Sector - CanmetENERGY-Ottawa

Selection process number
2026-RSN-EA-EETS-681257

Employment tenure
This is a student position involving 2–3 days per week (15–22.5 hours weekly) for a 6-month period during the Fall/Winter 2026 term, with the possibility of extension.

Salary
$17.75 to $38.38 per hour-The student should be paid the standard hourly rate based on their year and level of study (paid bi-weekly)

Who can apply
You are eligible for this program if you meet these 3 requirements:1. You are a full‑time student in a post‑secondary institution;
2. You are enrolled in an academic program that requires research as part of your curriculum;
3. You meet the minimum age required in the province/territory of work;This includes students with physical or emotional disabilities deemed to have full‑time status by their academic institution. Adult students registered in education and retraining programs at the secondary level may also be eligible for student employment programs.Note: Preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents who meet the job requirements.

Duties
The Zero Emission Technology group is in need of a graduate research assistant in order to assist on the execution of projects related to the development and implementation of advanced carbon capture and utilization processes as well as new Critical Minerals (CMs) projects. Key project activities include: "providing engineering support for the development of test rigs", "running experiments to collect and analyze data", "perform engineering calculations and simulations", and "prepare reports and presentations".

Work environment
CanmetENERGY is Canada’s leading research and technology organization in the field of clean energy. Its expertise, projects and unique facilities are driving solutions for cleaner production and use of energy resources. CanmetENERGY‑Ottawa engages in research and development in the areas of energy efficiency, clean fossil fuels and renewable and alternative energy sources, in the transition to a low‑carbon future. Our goal is to ensure that Canada is at the leading edge of clean energy technology development and greenhouse gas reduction. We are one of four national laboratories under the Minister of Natural Resources Canada dedicated to research, development and deployment of energy science and technology solutions for Canada.CanmetENERGY‑Ottawa’s mission supports the Minister’s mandate by leading the development of energy S&T solutions for the environmental and economic benefit of Canadians. We foster a broad range of successful research partnerships with manufacturers, academia, planners, builders, and all levels of government, by working collaboratively to identify, test and innovate products and processes beneficial to the lives of Canadians.At CanmetENERGY‑Ottawa, we strive for organizational excellence and demonstrate this commitment through our Gold Level Certification in the Organizational Excellence Standard provided by Excellence Canada. CanmetENERGY‑Ottawa also supports its employees in achieving a work‑life balance that allows them to continue to be successful in their careers while maintaining a healthy lifestyle. In 2022, CanmetENERGY Ottawa was named a Canada’s Healthy Workplace Month® Great Employer by Excellence Canada and Canada Life, for the fourth year in a row (2019 & 2020 & 2021)!This position is located at the Bells Corners Complex, situated within Ottawa’s Greenbelt, yet close to restaurants and shopping within the area of Bells Corners. Situated between Nepean and Kanata, we are close to the Bayshore bus station as well as the Eagleson/Terry Fox Park and Ride with bus access to the Complex. This location also features trails and walking paths as well as workplace wellness programs including running, fitness and mental health initiatives to boost employee morale and work/life balance. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iLzA6PP1Ln0

Positions to be filled
1

Important messages

• You must provide proof of your education credentials.
• Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice.
• A random and/or top down selection of candidates may be used in the determination of those to be given further consideration in the assessment process.
• Candidates from outside the public service may be required to pay for travel and relocation costs associated with this selection process.
• Successful completion of both a RAP work assignment and your educational program may lead to a temporary or permanent federal public service position for which you meet the merit criteria and conditions of employment.
• Natural Resources Canada is committed to employment equity and building strength through diversity. We welcome applications from qualified people and encourage members of the designated groups (Aboriginal Peoples, Persons with Disabilities, Visible Minorities and Women) to apply and to self‑identify.
• For this selection process, it is our intention to communicate with candidates via email for screening and assessment purposes.
• This will include communication of screening results and invitations to written tests and interviews. To that end, candidates must include a valid email address in their application. It is the candidate's responsibility to ensure that this address is functional and that it accepts messages from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email). It is also the candidate's responsibility to ensure accurate information is provided and updated as required.
• We thank all applicants for their interest in our position(s). For the purpose of this staffing process, only candidates selected for further assessment will be contacted.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance – Note: Each student hired through the Research Affiliate Program (RAP) must meet the security requirements of the position as a condition of employment, and therefore will be asked by the hiring organization to complete security-relevant documents.

Willing and able to wear personal protective equipment (hard hat, safety goggles, safety boots, hearing protection, etc.)

You need (essential for the job)

Your application must clearly explain how you meet the following

Education:

• Currently enrolled or will be enrolled by the date of appointment in a Master’s or PhD program at a recognized post‑secondary institution with specialization in engineering, science, chemistry, or another relevant discipline.

Experience:

• Experience in plasma or microwave systems and operations.
• Experience working in a laboratory environment. Note: In the context of student recruitment in the Federal Public Service, the experience can be acquired through the studies, work experience, or volunteer activities.

Language requirements (essential for the job)

May be applied / assessed at a later date

Asset Education

• Graduate degree in Chemical Engineering or some other engineering specialty relevant to the duties of the position.

Asset Experience

• Experience in data analysis and material characterization (SEM, XRD, Raman).
• Experience in gas handling and control systems.
• Experience using engineering simulation software packages such as Aspen, Comsol, Matlab, etc.

Asset Knowledge

• Knowledge on carbon formation mechanisms and graphitization processes.
• Knowledge of fundamentals of reaction engineering and plasma physics.

Our commitment

We're committed to providing an inclusive and barrier‑free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please contact the hiring organization below to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the population it serves. We promote employment equity and encourage you to self‑declare if you belong to one of the designated employment equity groups when you apply.

Preference will be given to veterans first, followed by Canadian citizens and permanent residents, with the exception of jobs located in Nunavut or Yukon. For positions located in Nunavut, qualified Inuit enrolled under the Nunavut Agreement will be appointed first. For positions located in Yukon, qualified Yukon First Nations will be appointed first, followed by qualified Indigenous persons.

• A list of the courses you have taken as well as any courses that you are taking now, or that you will be taking this academic year

We'd like to thank all those who apply. However, only the people selected for further consideration will be contacted.