Research Associates (Covington, Plaskett and Herzberg Instrument Science Fellowships)

The Role

NRC’s Herzberg Astronomy & Astrophysics Research Centre is excited to advertise three postdoctoral fellowship positions open to early-career researchers with a planned start date of September 2025. We look forward to having three new postdoctoral fellows who share our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect and Creativity join us at NRC Herzberg. 

The Covington, Plaskett and Herzberg Instrument Science Fellowships are independent 3-year fellowships that are 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. The Herzberg Instrument Science Fellow will be expected to undertake research activities in astronomical instrumentation, or observational astronomy of relevance to the instrumentation that they support.

Active areas of research at NRC Herzberg include Solar System objects, exoplanets and circumstellar disks, star formation, the interstellar medium, magnetic fields, 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 these fellowships, we strongly encourage applications from researchers in the fields of Extrasolar Planets, the Dark Universe, Time-Domain and Multi-Messenger Astronomy. Candidates conducting research or developing new technologies fundamental or complementary to the next generation of radio facilities are also particularly encouraged to apply. 

NRC-Herzberg has a rare combination of staff involved in astronomy research, instrumentation design and development, engineering, data science and observatory support. These fellowships are intended to leverage this environment to help mentor researchers who will become the leaders necessary to enable ambitious cutting edge astronomy research in the coming decades. We are committed to ensuring that all staff members promptly receive the accommodation they need to do their job and we understand the importance of work/life balance.

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. 

N.B. Applicants must have received their Ph.D. no more than 5 years before assuming the Fellowship (i.e., September 2025). Exceptions will be considered to recognize maternity/parental or other leaves.

Doctoral candidates who will complete all requirements for their Ph.D. within 6 months of assuming the Fellowship may also be considered.

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

Experience

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Experience in the publication of high calibre astronomical research papers in the refereed scientific literature.

Condition of Employment

Reliability Status

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

1. Expert knowledge of astronomical research, in one or more areas of forefront research.
2. Ability to conceive, organize, conduct and publish independent astrophysical research of international calibre.
3. 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.
4. Engagement with the wider astronomical community via collaborations, working groups and/or research teams.
5. Research areas and/or development of new technologies fundamental or complementary to the next generation of radio facilities and/or engagement in the research areas of extrasolar planets, the Dark Universe, time-domain and multi-messenger astronomy.
6. 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;
• Experience with research management, i.e., managing risks, teams, schedules.

Behavioural Competencies

Competency Profile(s)

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

View all competency profiles

Compensation

The intent of this hiring action is to staff through the Research Associate (RA) Program at the AsRO level, which is an early-career level position with a 2024 salary range of $74,230 to $103,093.

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.  

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 National Research Council (NRC). As Canada’s leading research and technology 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:

In order to be considered for a Plaskett, Covington or Herzberg Instrument Science Fellowship via the Research Associate program please include the following in your application. Failure to do so will result in your application being excluded from searches.

Please note that you will need to attach the required documents as per the list below when submitting your application. Some items may be assessed at a later time in the process. Unless specified, your application will be considered for all three fellowship positions.

• Cover Letter 
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)
• 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. 

When submitting your application you can include the required documents in any attachment field such as «Second language evaluation results» or «Other attachments».

• 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.
• Please help us diversify by self-declaring in employment equity groups at the time of application submission.