Research Associate - Integrated Photonics for Space Astronomy

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.

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

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

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.

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. 

Language requirements

English  

Information on language requirements and self-assessment tests

Assessment criteria

Candidates will be assessed on the basis of the following 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

Competency Profile(s)

For this position, the NRC will evaluate candidates using the following competency profile(s): Research

View all competency profiles

Compensation

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.

Notes

• Relocation assistance will be determined in accordance with the NRC's directives.
• A pre-qualified list may be established for similar positions for a one-year period.
• 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.