Research Associate - Plaskett 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 and Astrophysics Research Centre invites applications for a Plaskett postdoctoral fellowship open to early-career researchers with a September 2027 start. The fellowship empowers recent Ph.D.s to lead independent research in an inclusive environment.

The 2+1 year program supports future principal investigators in astronomy, instrumentation and data analysis, with opportunities for collaboration and professional development while upholding

Qualifications

• PhD in astronomy/astrophysics or related field is required.
• PhD within the past five years or expected completion within 6 months.

Responsibilities

• Lead independent astronomical research projects and publish results.
• Develop instrumentation, data analysis methods and collaborate across teams.
• Engage with the wider astronomical community and mentoring roles.

Skills

Astronomy research

Data analysis

Instrumentation development

Collaborations

Education

PhD in astronomy/astrophysics or related field

PhD within 5 years or near completion

Tools

Observational data handling

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.

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

City: Victoria

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 a Plaskett postdoctoral fellowship position open to early-career researchers with a planned start date of September 2027. We look forward to having a new Plaskett Fellow who shares our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect and Creativity join us at NRC Herzberg.

The Plaskett Fellowship is an independent (2+1 year) fellowship that is meant to empower recent Ph.D.s (those within 5 years of their doctorate) to explore their science interests within an inclusive environment for active research, learning and service. They will become the Principal Investigators for the next generation of astronomical research projects, instruments and facilities, and NRC Herzberg will provide them with the experience, support and professional development to help them grow into this role.

Active areas of research at NRC Herzberg include Solar System objects, exoplanets and circumstellar disks, star formation, the interstellar medium, magnetic fields in the Galaxy, 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 instrument development, which includes radio correlators and signal processing, radio receivers, antenna design, adaptive optics, and UV/optical/near-IR instrumentation. Our instrument development activities 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 in the fields of Extrasolar Planets, the Dark Universe, Time-Domain and Multi-Messenger Astronomy.

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

A Ph.D. in astronomy, astrophysics 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

• Five years or less experience in astronomical or astrophysical research (or a related field) beyond the Ph.D. at the time of taking up the fellowship.
• Experience in obtaining, reducing, analysing, and/or aiding in the interpretation of astronomical data from ground- and/or space-based observatories or from astronomical data archives, and/or the design and development of astronomical instrumentation.
• Experience in the publication of high calibre astronomical research papers in the refereed scientific literature.

The following will be considered assets in assessing the candidate:

• Evidence of project leadership, grants or awards;
• Experience in collaborations, including with industry or engineering of instrumentation projects;
• Experience with advanced computing platforms, systems or techniques;
• Experience in mentoring or supervision.

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

• Expert knowledge of astronomical research, in one or more areas of forefront research.
• Ability to conceive, organize, conduct and publish independent astrophysical research of international calibre.
• Advanced knowledge of astronomical techniques (such as observing, data reduction and analysis, instrumentation and software development, modelling and simulations) involving instrumentation for or astronomical datasets from ground- or space-based telescopes.
• Engagement with the wider astronomical community via collaborations, working groups and/or research teams.
• Research areas and/or development of new technologies fundamental or complementary to the next generation of astronomical facilities and/or engagement in the research areas of extrasolar planets, the Dark Universe, time-domain and multi-messenger astronomy.

Behavioural competencies

• Research - Communication (Level 2)
• Research - Creative thinking (Level 3)
• Research - Results orientation (Level 1)
• Research - Teamwork (Level 2)
• Research - Networking (Level 2)
• NRC-Wide - Valuing people (Level 1)

Competency Profile(s)

For this position, the NRC will evaluate candidates using the following competency profiles: Research ; NRC-Wide

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.

Notes

Application Requirements

• Cover Letter
• Resume
• Research statement, no longer than 3 pages (references excluded). Please highlight in your statement what you consider to be your most impactful contribution to your field (paper, result, software, instrument, etc.).
• Publication list
• Names and contact information for three people who have agreed to provide a reference on your behalf. Reference letters need not be submitted with the application, but may be requested during the review process.

In 2026, the NRC was chosen as one of Canada’s Top Employers for Young People, a National Capital Region’s Top Employer and Forbes Canada’s Best Employer.

• Relocation assistance will be determined in accordance with the NRC's directives.
• 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 the requisition number (26131) to:

E-mail: [e-mail]

Telephone: [phone]

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

For more information on career tools and other resources, check out Career tools and resources

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