Research jobs in Canada

Step into a pivotal scientific leadership role where your expertise in external dosimetry drives Canada’s radiation health research forward. Can you see yourself leading a growing team, shaping cutting‑edge work in radiation metrology, and developing advanced irradiation facilities that enable real scientific impact? In this role, you’ll guide high‑impact computational and experimental R&D while collaborating with top universities, government partners, and industry to solve real‑world challenges in radiation science. If you’re ready to make a measurable difference in understanding biological responses to ionizing radiation and supporting critical national dosimetry services, this is where your work will matter most. Apply today.

• Providing scientific Leadership of research initiatives and generating new research project proposals with appropriate resourcing and budgeting.
• Collaborating with CNL colleagues to provide and characterize the irradiation facilities required for biological studies and other variations of research projects.
• Providing expert scientific advice within the company and to external clients.
• Identifying emerging market opportunities and supporting project execution.
• Ensuring the legislative and legal requirements of the Biology Research and Development Facility (BRDF) irradiation facilities are met by providing support when identified.
• Planning and conducting research in areas relevant to radiation effects, dosimetry and risk assessment, and novel detection metrology.
• Proactively working with business development to identify opportunities and lead R&D activities for new applications.
• Identifying and liaising with researchers and the BRDF branch manager to address gaps in capability (personnel and equipment).
• Evaluating and quantifying exposure (inanimate objects) and dose (for biological samples) using dose calculation software for research projects, where necessary, as a subject Matter Expert.
• Collaborating with colleagues in Canadian Universities to develop and undertake dosimetry and instrument‑related research projects funded by the Federal S&T program, the CANDU Owners Group and other organizations.
• Developing the skills necessary to provide an extra resource for dose assessments in support of CRL Dosimetry Services.
• Assisting the BRDF branch manager and team on the development and implementation of a multi‑user program for all BRDF facilities, allowing use of these CNL assets by university collaborators and other requestors.
• Assisting the Facility Authority (FA) and the BRDF branch manager in the development of the HPNG as a secondary standard laboratory.
• Providing input to the Isotopes, Radiobiology, and Environmental (IRED) directorate on strategic equipment capabilities and personnel skill sets.
• Acting as a resource and Subject matter expert (in the field of radiation dosimetry) for CNL.
• Other duties as assigned by your manager.

• Education
  • A PhD in Physics, or relevant discipline (i.e., radiation physics, applied nuclear physics, health physics or medical biophysics) from a university of recognized standing.
• Experience
  • Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in radiation physics, health physics, modelling, or radiation sciences.
  • Experience with modelling techniques, including MCNP (desirable).
  • Experience managing or utilizing multi‑user radiation facilities.
  • Experience developing and evaluating radiation‑detection instrumentation, including demonstrated use of Monte Carlo codes for neutron transport and neutron‑scattering problem solving.
  • Experience with experimental measurement techniques involving radiation sources and radiation measurement instruments.
• Knowledge, Skills & Abilities
  • Demonstrated ability to publish scientific research as lead or senior author in peer‑reviewed journals.
  • Proven ability to produce research outputs suitable for peer‑reviewed publication.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills, with the ability to convey complex scientific concepts to multidisciplinary teams and non‑expert stakeholders.
  • Ability to effectively interact with staff at all levels—technical, management, and clients—to meet operational objectives.
  • In‑depth understanding of particle physics, including neutrons, protons, and heavy ions, and their quantification.
  • Strong understanding of ionizing radiation interactions (low‑ and high‑LET) with living matter and dose deposition (asset).
  • Proficiency with radiation‑measurement instrumentation and experimental techniques.
  • In‑depth knowledge of statistics and mathematics, and the ability to create, write, and read computer programs for data production, analysis, and interpretation, as well as for computational dosimetry model development.
  • Knowledge of radiation principles and the concept of dose for external exposures.
  • Knowledge of secondary standards laboratories and irradiation facilities, including relevant regulatory responsibilities.
  • Ability to lead and grow a research team, provide expert scientific advice, identify emerging market opportunities, and support commercial project execution.
  • Understanding of neutron detection instrumentation, including the ability to evaluate or develop detection systems.
  • Ability to use or learn dose‑calculation software to support and expand the organization’s dosimetry capabilities.
  • Familiarity with multi‑user facility frameworks (asset).
• Security Clearance Eligibility Required
  • Reliability Status with Site Access Security Clearance (SASC), which has a minimum requirement of 3‑5 years of verifiable history in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United States and/or the United Kingdom. CNL implements security screening in accordance with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat's “Standard on Security Screening” and the “Policy on Government Security.”

• Office and laboratory setting, involving radiological materials and devices and licensed nuclear facilities, thus some other areas where the position will work are Controlled.
• It is not expected, but if required, the position will be required to conform to dosimetry bioassay procedures for radionuclide intakes.

Does working with a team across Canada to advance nuclear science and technology for a clean and secure world speak to you? We're reinventing ourselves to be the pacesetters so we can lead the charge in solving the problems that matter, like building the next generation of clean nuclear and hydrogen energy solutions, developing new and better‑targeted cancer treatments, and continuing to lead the world in environmental remediation.

We offer a complete total rewards package:

• Paid time off (vacation, sick, floater & personal);
• Benefits effective day one, that’s right, no waiting period;
• Tuition support
• and a pension!

• Clean energy for today and tomorrow.
• Restore and protect the Environment.
• Contribute to the health of Canadians.

CNL works with employees across our Canadian locations to enable remote work when possible. This role requires that the majority of time worked be at CNL’s Chalk River Laboratory site while also providing opportunities to work remotely, where possible, if desired by the employee. CNL’s Chalk River laboratory is nestled in the Ottawa Valley and affords our employees an area that is environmentally pristine with extensive forests, hills and numerous small lakes, all of which support a variety of wildlife typical to the southern edge of the Canadian Shield. Many surrounding towns, such as Pembroke, Petawawa and Deep River, provide you with unparalleled outdoor adventures at your doorstep!

CNL is committed to providing an atmosphere free from barriers that promotes equity, diversity and inclusion in achieving our mission. CNL welcomes and celebrates employees, stakeholders and partners of all racial, cultural, and ethnic identities. Read here further on our DE&I Commitment.

CNL also supports a workplace environment and a corporate culture that is built on our Core Values: Respect, Teamwork, Accountability, Safety, Integrity and Excellence which encourage equitable employment practices and career prospects inclusive of accommodations for all employees.

CNL is committed to being an equal‑opportunity employer. If you require accommodation measures during any phase of the hiring process, please indicate via our ATS when applying. All information received in relation to accommodation requests will be kept confidential.

The Chalk River Laboratories site is located on the unceded and unsurrendered territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabe people. As an organization, CNL recognizes and appreciates their historic connection to this place. CNL also recognizes the contributions that First Nations, Métis, Inuit and other Indigenous Peoples have made, both in shaping and strengthening this community in particular, and this province and country as a whole.

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