Research Associate - Integrated Photonics for Space Astronomy

About the role

Are you a photonics researcher who wants to build the photonic foundation of next-generation space telescopes? You will lead the photonic integrated circuit (PIC) sub-system of TESERACT (Twin Earth SEnsoR Astrophotonic CubeSat), a 6U mission demonstrating chip-scale spectroscopy in space and de-risking astrophotonic technologies for future flagship observatories, including the Habitable Worlds Telescope. Targeting a SpaceX rideshare in the early 2030s, TESERACT will observe targets such as Venus, Mars, Jupiter, the Moon, Saturn and Titan.

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: active spectral filtering; high-efficiency spectral tuning; spatial/spectral demultiplexing via microlens integration; low-power tunable circuit design; and low-loss silicon nitride (Si₃N₄) components for visible and near-infrared. The role uses NRC's internal foundry and Applied Nanotools, with potential extension to external foundries (LioniX, AMF, IMEC, AIM). You will collaborate with NRC Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics, University of Toronto, and Queen's University Belfast, with travel to Victoria, BC and the UK.

Duties

• Design, simulate (FDTD: Lumerical, Tidy3D, OptiFDTD), and lay out PICs (gdspy, Nazca, gdsfactory, Luceda, KLayout) for tape-out.
• Develop PIC architectures and components for multiplexed spectral processing in silicon nitride devices in the visible/near-infrared.
• Develop and support internal fabrication of low-loss silicon nitride devices for visible/near-infrared.
• Characterize PICs optically and support packaging and fiber-optic coupling.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and external partners; publish, present, and contribute to patents, reports, and proposals.

Screening criteria

Education

Ph.D. in Electrical Engineering, Physics, Photonics, Optical Engineering, or a closely related field.

As part of the RA Program you must have received your PhD Electrical Engineering, Physics, Photonics, Optical Engineering, or a closely related field within the last five years or you expect to receive the degree within the next six months.

For information on certificates and diplomas issued abroad, please see Degree equivalency

Experience

• Demonstrated significant experience in photonic integrated circuit design and simulation.
• Significant experience with electromagnetic simulation tools (FDTD, EME, etc.).
• Significant experience with photonic device layout and mask design.
• Experience in optical characterization and laboratory work.
• Experience working independently and developing new concepts.

Assessment criteria

Technical competencies

• Strong ability to design and optimize integrated optic devices, model their optical, optoelectronic, thermal-optical properties using commercial and in-house design.
• Strong ability to use simulation software tools including finite difference time domain methods (FDTD), eigenmode expansion methods (EME), or finite-element methods (FEM), using tools like Lumerical, Tidy3D, OptiFDTD, Meep and analytical formulae.
• Strong ability to design photonic circuit layouts using tools such as gdspy, Nazca, gdsfactory, Luceda, KLayout).
• Significant knowledge of integrated photonics and device physics.
• Ability to measure, analyze and interpret key passive and active waveguide device performance parameters.
• Significant knowledge of integrated photonic platforms, trade-offs, and chip interfacing/packaging.

Assets

• Ability to perform photonic fabrication and cleanroom processes.
• Knowledge and ability to perform subwavelength photonic component design.
• Knowledge of inverse photonic design, machine-learning (adjoint or topology optimization), or other advancing design methodologies.
• Ability to design and model active photonic devices (MEMS, electro-optic or thermo-optic tuning).

Behavioural competencies

• Research - Creative thinking (Level 2)
• Research - Results orientation (Level 2)
• Research - Communication (Level 2)
• Research - Initiative (Level 2)
• Research - Teamwork (Level 2)

Condition of employment

Reliability Status

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

Must be able to travel across Canada and/or internationally to represent NRC.

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.

Position details

Location: Ottawa

Organizational Unit: Quantum and Nanotechnologies

Classification: RO

Tenure: Term

Duration: 2 years

Salary: $83,985 to $116,641

The intent of this hiring action is to staff the position at the AsRO level, which is an early-career level position with a salary range of $83,985 to $116,641. This wide range accounts for varying degrees of expertise and impact, and growth within the role.

NOTE: The Research Associate (RA) Program is unique to the NRC. It falls under the RO/RCO classification system which uses a person-based classification system instead of the more common duties-based classification system. Candidates are remunerated based on their expertise, skill, outcomes and impacts of their previous work experience.

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.

Equity and inclusion

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.