Research Associate - Herzberg Instrument Science Fellowship

National Research Council Canada / Conseil national de recherches Canada; Victoria; On-site; CAD 84,000 - 117,000; Full time

Job summary

National Research Council Canada (NRC) Herzberg Astronomy & Astrophysics Research Centre invites applications for the Herzberg Instrument Science Fellowship. This independent fellowship (2+1 years) seeks a recent Ph.D.

to explore instrumentation and observational astronomy with the goal of becoming a PI for future facilities. The position may be based at the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory in Penticton or the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory in Victoria, with a start date around

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in astronomy, astrophysics, engineering or related field is required.
• Ph.D. should be earned within the past five years (on/after Sept 30, 2022) or within 6 months of appointment.

Responsibilities

• Undertake research in astronomical instrumentation and/or observational astronomy relevant to instrumentation interests.
• Aim to become a Principal Investigator for the next generation of astronomical instruments and facilities.
• Engage in mentorship and collaboration within NRC Herzberg and broader communities.

Skills

Independent research

Instrumentation design

Astrophysical data analysis

Scientific programming

Education

PhD in astronomy/astrophysics/engineering

Tools

CANFAR

Data pipelines

Software development

Job description

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.

City: Victoria or Penticton

Organizational Unit: Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics

Classification: RO

Tenure: Term

Duration: 2 Years (with option to extend 1 year)

Language Requirements: English

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.

The role

NRC’s Herzberg Astronomy & Astrophysics Research Centre is excited to advertise the Herzberg Instrument Science Fellowship, a postdoctoral fellowship position open to early-career researchers with a planned start date of September 2027. We look forward to having a new postdoctoral fellow who shares our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect and Creativity join us at NRC Herzberg.

The Herzberg Instrumentation Fellowship is an independent (2+1 year) fellowship that is meant to empower a recent Ph.D. (those within 5 years of their doctorate) to explore their science and instrumentation interests within an inclusive environment for active research, learning and service. They will have a goal of becoming a Principal Investigator for the next generation of astronomical instruments and facilities. NRC Herzberg will provide them with the experience, support and professional development to help them grow into this role. The Herzberg Instrumentation Fellow will be expected to undertake research activities in astronomical instrumentation, and/or observational astronomy of relevance to their instrumentation interests. This position is tenable at either the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory (DRAO) in Penticton, BC, Canada, or the Dominion Astrophysical Observatory (DAO) in Victoria, BC, Canada, depending on the instrumentation interests of the successful candidate.

NRC Herzberg is a vibrant research centre with a federal mandate to support Canada’s international observatories and the Canadian astronomy community. NRC‑Herzberg has a rare combination of staff involved in astronomy research, instrumentation design and development, engineering, data science and observatory support. This fellowship is intended to leverage this environment to help mentor researchers who will become the leaders enabling ambitious cutting edge astronomy research in the coming decades. We are committed to ensuring that all staff members promptly receive the accommodation they need to do their job and we understand the importance of work/life balance.

NRC Herzberg is a leading developer of instrumentation for Canada’s current and future ground‑ and space-based telescopes at radio through ultraviolet wavelengths, including major facilities such as the Square Kilometre Array (SKA), the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), the Canada France Hawaii Telescope (CFHT), Gemini and CASTOR. Active areas of research include Solar System objects, exoplanets and circumstellar disks, star formation, the interstellar medium, magnetic fields, the Milky Way and Local Group, near-field cosmology and resolved stellar populations, galaxy evolution, supermassive black holes and high redshift galaxies. Current and future ground‑and space-based facilities from the UV to radio are represented in our instrumentation development, which includes radio astronomical instrumentation such as receivers, correlators, signal processing technology, and antenna design; and UV/optical/near‑IR instrumentation such as adaptive optics, precision mechanics and detectors. Our instrument development activities also include the development of modest-scale pathfinder instruments and on‑sky demonstrators.

Herzberg is eager to diversify the fields of research represented at our Research Centre. For this fellowship, we strongly encourage applications from researchers conducting research or developing new technologies fundamental or complementary to the next generation of observing facilities.

Screening criteria

Education

A Ph.D. in astronomy, astrophysics, engineering or a related field is required. Candidates should have obtained a PhD within the past five years (PhD received on or after September 30, 2022) or expect to complete their PhD within 6 months of appointment. 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. For information on certificates and diplomas issued abroad, please see Degree equivalency.

Experience

• Experience in astronomical, astrophysical, instrumentation, engineering, data science, or related research beyond the Ph.D. at the time of taking up the Fellowship.
• Experience in the design and development of astronomical instrumentation, or a clear and credible interest in the same.
• Experience in obtaining, reducing, analysing, and/or aiding in the interpretation of astronomical data from ground- and/or space-based observatories, instrumentation, or astronomical data archives.
• Experience in the publication of high‑calibre astronomical research papers in the refereed scientific literature, and/or other relevant research or technical outputs appropriate to the candidate’s field, such as instrumentation papers, conference proceedings, software, datasets, instruments, pipelines, or technical reports.

The following will be considered as assets:

• Evidence of leading a project, proposal, instrument subsystem, software package, observing programme, working group, or student/team activity, appropriate to career stage.
• Experience in multidisciplinary technical or instrumentation projects, or collaboration with an industry partner.
• Experience with research software, data pipelines, and simulations, machine learning, high-performance computing, CANFAR, or advanced data systems.
• Evidence of mentoring or supervising undergraduate students, graduate students, junior researchers, or collaborators, such as assisting with theses, software, methodology, or research activities.
• Evidence of meaningful outreach, teaching, public talks, tours, media engagement, or community science activities.
• Experience with schedules, risk, scope, budgets, work breakdown structures, team coordination, or similar project-management practices.
• Experience in international collaborations, consortia, working groups, or observing/facility teams.

Condition of employment

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

Language requirements

English. Information on language requirements and self-assessment tests.

Assessment criteria

Technical competencies

• Significant knowledge of astronomical research, instrumentation, or research in a related field, including evidence of independent contributions and research impact.
• Knowledge of astronomical techniques relevant to the candidate’s field, including current state-of-the-art approaches and a vision for future developments.
• Knowledge of astronomical instrumentation, enabling technologies, software, pipelines, simulations, or advanced data systems, and their application to scientific research.
• Ability to engage effectively with scientific and technical communities, including collaborations, working groups, committees, multidisciplinary teams, and community planning activities.
• Ability to articulate a research or technology-development direction aligned with NRC Herzberg strategic interests and/or technologies fundamental to the next generation of astronomical instrumentation.

Behavioural competencies

• Research - Communication (Level 2)
• Research - Creative thinking (Level 3)
• Research - Networking (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.

View all competency profiles.

Compensation

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.

Discover the possible

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.

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.

Please direct your questions, with the requisition number (26055) to:

E-mail: [e-mail]

Telephone: [phone]

Closing Date: 2 November 2026 - 23:59 Eastern Time

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