Research Associate - Astrophotonic Instrumentation

National Research Council of Canada; Victoria; On-site; CAD 84,000 - 117,000; Full time

Job summary

National Research Council of Canada seeks an instrumentation scientist/engineer to lead the development of astronomical instrumentation using fiber optic and photonic chip technologies. The role covers integration, alignment, and characterization of photonic IFU systems, with emphasis on spectral measurements for Earth‑like exoplanets.

The candidate will contribute to the TESERACT CubeSat mission and collaborate with partner institutions, with travel to site locations as needed.

Qualifications

• Education as described: Ph.D. or Master’s in Engineering.
• Significant experience in two or more listed areas.
• Assets include prior work in astronomical instrumentation and photonic chips.

Responsibilities

• Lead development of instrumentation for photonic IFU architecture.
• Coordinate TESERACT project activities and collaborations.
• Perform on‑sky and laboratory characterization of instruments.

Skills

Laboratory optical setups

Optical component design

Optical alignment

Photonic device characterization

Fiber‑coupling experience

Data analysis

Education

Ph.D. in Science or Engineering

Master’s degree in an Engineering field

Tools

Zemax/OpticStudio

Code V

Job description

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Research Associate - Astrophotonic Instrumentation

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.

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

City:Victoria

OrganizationalUnit:Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics

Classification:RO

Duration: 3 years

Work arrangements: 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. Alternative work arrangements may also be considered to accommodate candidates as required. To learn more about these options, please contact the NRC Hiring team using the contact information below.

Discover the possible

The role

We are seeking an instrumentation scientist or engineer who will play a lead role in the development of new astronomical instrumentation based on fiber optic and photonic chip technologies. The Instrumentation Scientist would be someone who shares our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect, and Creativity.

The successful candidate will participate in the TESERACT project, a CubeSat mission that will demonstrate a novel type of spectroscopy in space. As a Research Associate in our team, you will contribute to the instrumentation effort based on our photonic integral field unit (IFU) architecture through fiber-coupling, alignment, integration, on-sky and in-lab characterization.

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 include:

• Integral field unit (IFU) and integral field spectroscopy feed design and integration
• Fiber‑coupling, microlens arrays, and beam‑remapping optics
• Optical design, alignment, and integration of instrument front‑ends
• Photonic device and sub‑system characterization at visible and near‑infrared wavelengths
• On‑sky commissioning and validation on ground‑based telescopes

You will collaborate with researchers from NRC’s Quantum and Nanotechnologies Research Center, the University of Toronto, and Queen's University Belfast, with travel to collaborator sites.

Screening criteria

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:

Education

• Ph.D. in Science or Engineering, or
• A Master’s degree in an Engineering field with relevant experience.

Significant experience in at least two of the following areas:

• astronomical instrumentation hardware development.
• working with optical fibers.
• optical design, optical alignment and setting up new optical benchtop systems.
• design or characterization of photonic chip technologies.

the following may be considered as assets:

• Experience working in an astronomical instrumentation development team.
• Experience using or developing optical spectrographs, integral field units (IFUs) or adaptive optic systems.
• Experience with CubeSat or small satellite payloads and space systems engineering.
• Experience working with lasers, scientific cameras / optical detectors.
• Experience working with photonic integrated circuits.

Significant experience: 2 to 6 years of related experience

Condition of employment

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

Candidates will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:

• Expertise in constructing laboratory optical setups or instrumentation, including optical component selection, system alignment, and conducting sensitive or complex optical measurements.
• Expertise in optical component and system design using simulation tools such as Zemax, OpticStudio, Code V, or similar.
• Expertise developing optical instrumentation or devices.
• Ability to analyze complex data sets and statistical analysis.
• Knowledge of computer‑instrument interfacing and developing software for data acquisition and instrument control.
• Research - Communication (Level 2)
• Research - Creative thinking (Level 2)
• Research - Initiative (Level 2)
• Research - Results orientation (Level 2)
• Research - Teamwork (Level 2)

Competency Profile(s)

For this position, the NRC will evaluate candidates using the following competency profile: Research

Salary range as of July 20th 2025: $83,985 to $116,641.

NOTE: Salary determination will be based on a review of the candidate’s expertise, outcomes and impacts of their previous work experience relative to the requirements of the level. As a guide, the current annual PhD recruiting rate is $83,985.

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.

About the Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Centre

We are Canada’s gateway to the stars. At the Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Centre, we maintain and operate Canada’s largest and most powerful observatories and represent the country in some of the world’s leading astronomy initiatives. We are astronomy and astrophysics experts, conducting cutting‑edge research, operating Canada’s national observatories, providing extensive data management and analysis tools through our Canadian Astronomy Data Centre, supporting activities at international observatories and developing advanced astronomical instruments with industrial partners.

The Dominion Astrophysical Observatory (DAO) offers capabilities in optical imaging, spectroscopy and spectropolarimetry, and currently operates two research telescopes: the 1.8‑metre Plaskett Telescope and the 1.2‑metre telescope, which features the high‑resolution McKellar spectrograph.
The DAO conducts technology research and development associated with instrumentation, facility design and construction projects of the domestic, international and future telescopes they support.

The Observatory has been designated a national historic site because of its important role in establishing Canada’s international scientific reputation in astronomy. Over the decades, these telescopes have contributed significantly to our understanding of the rotation, size and mass of the Milky Way, and of the rarefied interstellar medium between the stars. Recent projects include orbital determination of comets and asteroids, spectroscopy of magnetic stars, and ongoing studies of distant quasars and galaxies.

• Relocation assistance will be determined in accordance with the NRC’s directives.
• A pre‑qualified list may be established for similar positions for a one‑year period.
• 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 (26053) to:

Closing Date: 4 November 2026 - 23:59 Eastern Time