Strategic Machine Learning Researcher

Cse Cst; Ottawa; Hybrid; CAD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Communications Security Establishment (CSE) is seeking strategic researchers to contribute to the Foundations of Machine Learning at TIMC, housed within CSE. The role emphasizes high‑quality research, collaboration across teams, and dissemination through publications and software contributions.

Applicants should hold MSc with substantial post‑MSc experience or a PhD with post‑PhD experience, capable of leading research initiatives and guiding junior researchers, with security clearance

Qualifications

• Requires MSc with 8+ years post‑MSc research experience or PhD with 3+ years post‑PhD research experience.
• Demonstrated capability in original research with actionable impact in ML or related field.

Responsibilities

• Conduct high‑quality research toward TIMC focus topics.
• Identify research problems aligned with CSE’s strategy.
• Collaborate with TIMC, CSE, and external partners.
• Disseminate results via reports, publications, and software.
• Provide guidance to clients and decision‑makers.

Skills

English essential

Bilingual imperative

Education

MSc in mathematics, statistics, computer science or related field

PhD in mathematics, statistics, computer science or related field

Job description

Closing Date:

2027-03-01

Classification:

Reference number: RF-17247

About CSE

The Communications Security Establishment (CSE) is Canada’s agency responsible for foreign signals intelligence, cyber operations and cyber security. Learn more about our mission , and what it means to work in a security and intelligence field .

The Tutte Institute for Mathematics and Computing (TIMC) is a government research institute housed within CSE. TIMC ’s mission is to conduct strategic research that has an impact on the most important scientific challenges faced by the Canadian security and intelligence community and its international partners. TIMC delivers on this mission through a research program in foundational mathematics and computer science, with concentrations in cryptology and machine learning research.

TIMC is seeking highly qualified researchers to contribute to the Foundations of Machine Learning research area.

Strategic Researchers at TIMC work on a variety of complex challenges and they draw on a variety of tools including deep mathematical theory and cutting-edge computational resources. Success in this role requires adaptability, creativity, and a passion for advancing knowledge.

Key responsibilities:

• Conduct high-quality research toward TIMC research focus topics.
• Identify research problems and projects in alignment with CSE’s research strategy.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues at TIMC , across CSE, and with external partners.
• Disseminate research results through technical reports, presentations, peer-reviewed publications, and software contributions.
• Maintain situational awareness in research developments and provide advice and guidance to clients and decision-makers.

To find out more about our salary scale, vacation allowances and benefits (health, dental and pension plans, etc.) visit the Compensation page on our website.

Area of selection

Open to Canadian citizens.

Location

Ottawa, Ontario in one of our two accessible facilities . Flexible work arrangements, including telework for a portion of the work week, may be possible.

Conditions of employment

A valid Enhanced Top Secret (ETS) security clearance is a condition of employment that must be met before an offer can be made.

In order to be considered, your cover letter must clearly explain how you meet the following education and experience requirements.

Education

You must have either one of the following:

• A MSc in mathematics, statistics, computer science or a related field, with at least eight (8) years of post-MSc research experience.
• A PhD in mathematics, statistics, computer science or a relevant field, with at least three (3) years of post-PhD research experience.

Note: The educational program must be recognized in Canada, and you must be able to provide proof of education credentials.

Experience

• Conducting original research with tangible impact in machine learning or a relevant scientific field demonstrated by sustained contributions of publication, presentation and/or code-release. Examples include papers in peer-reviewed journals and proceedings, presentations at top conferences, and widely recognized contributions to software projects.
• Designing, implementing and testing new algorithms or applications in one or more programming languages.
• Leading research teams and/or supervising junior researchers, post-docs or graduate students.
• Establishing and executing research programs, demonstrated, for example, by successful grant applications, contributing to strategic planning, and achieving key project milestones.

Various language profiles, including English Essential and Bilingual imperative (CBC/CBC)

• English essential means that the position is unilingual English.
• Bilingual means that knowledge of both official languages (English and French) is required for the position.
• CBC/CBC represent the proficiency level you must demonstrate in each of the language skills (reading, writing and oral interaction) for the bilingual position. For bilingual positions, second language evaluations will be offered to candidates who don’t have valid language test results issued by the Government of Canada.

The following technical, behavioural and leadership competencies will be assessed at a later date. You do not need to include information about them in your application.

• Knowledge and application of a field of Mathematics, Computer Science, Physics or Engineering
• Machine learning
• Problem formulation and response
• Accountability/autonomy
• Interactive communication
• Working in a team
• Achieving results
• Change and innovation

Assets

Assets are “nice-to-have” expertise and skills we’re interested in. You will not be eliminated if you do not meet or possess these qualifications. However, if you do have them, they may be used to identify which team you could best complement.

The following asset technical, behavioural and leadership competencies will be assessed at a later date. You do not need to include information about them in your application.

Cryptography and Cryptanalysis

Operational requirements

Overtime and standby duty may be required.

Assessments of candidates are conducted in the official language of their choice.

To address CSE’s current representation gaps, priority may be given to persons who self-declare as belonging to one, or more, designated employment equity groups: women; Indigenous peoples, including First Nations who are status, or registered and non-status, or non-registered, Inuit and Métis; persons with disabilities, including people with a mental health condition and neurodivergent people; and persons from racial or ethnic groups.

Please note the Employment Equity Act , which is under review, uses the terminology Aboriginal peoples and visible minorities.

CSE offers an assessment process that will accommodate any reasonable measures you require to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner. Those measures are available to all candidates during our processes. Information you provide will be addressed confidentially.

The level of competence demonstrated in the various assessments will be used to determine your qualifications for the UNMA09, UNMA10 or UNMA11 level.

All communications with CSE relating to this process, including email messages and telephone conversations, may be used in the assessment of qualifications.

The intent of this process is to fill vacant positions at CSE. The process may also be used to establish a pool of qualified candidates which could be used to staff similar or identical positions with various tenures.

Due to the nature of CSE’s mandate certain roles may expose employees to content that is difficult to process. Mental health is a priority at CSE and if any personnel feel they require assistance to preserve their mental wellbeing, they have access to services, tools and other resources to help them in both their personal and professional lives.

Please note that in an effort to maintain balance between employee development and business needs, candidates who are hired at CSE must remain in their substantive position for a minimum of twelve (12) months subject to operational requirements.

We thank you for your interest in CSE. However, only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.