Missile Defence Project Research Associate

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.

 

City: Waterloo 

Organizational Unit: Digital Technologies 

Classification: RO 

Tenure: Term 

Duration: 3 years  

Language Requirements: English 

 

Work Arrangements: Due to the nature of the work and operational requirements, this position will require some physical presence at the NRC work location identified in the form of a hybrid work arrangement (a combination of working onsite and offsite).

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.

The Role

Any effective missile defence system will employ AI components.  These may be for sensing, tracking, prediction, deploying countermeasures, controlling countermeasures, or any combination of these aspects. Given the high rate of change in the fields of AI algorithms and AI hardware, we need to both characterize the performance of existing algorithms and also to provide estimates of how this performance changes with different implementations, including predicted future hardware.

 

Object identification and tracking can often be made easier by integrating different sensing modalities.  However, redeployment of a finite number of heterogeneous sensors comes with opportunity costs. We will explore optimal sensor deployment and dynamic resource re-tasking by formulating the object identification and tracking problem as an information gathering problem.  We will develop probabilistic models of available sensors for integration into a Bayesian decision-making framework that will determine which sensors to use and where to deploy them.

 

NRC is seeking a Postdoctoral Fellow to characterize AI components likely to comprise new missile defence systems and to develop new dynamic retasking algorithms for heterogeneous sensor networks. The successful candidate will be a creative, hands-on experimentalist who enjoys system integration and problem-solving. They will create novel solutions to achieve a responsive approach to missile defence, and will work as part of a larger interdisciplinary team to overcome software and hardware challenges as they arise. This will culminate with the development of a cohesive, efficient, and effective missile defense strategy.

 

We are looking for an early-career Missile Defence Project Research Officer to support our Digital technologies Research Centre (DT). The Research Officer would be someone who shares our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect and Creativity.

 

The primary responsibility of the RO is to support the goals of NRC and the Portfolio through research of international calibre and the development and application of advanced technologies. The RO works in a team environment with researchers and technical experts in world-class facilities. Activities also include the development of proposals for new research initiatives, project management, and providing service to NRC clients.  The RO provides input into the overall direction and research priorities for the program area within the context of the Portfolio business plan.

The Role (Continued)

The RO activities in support of program area objectives may include:

 

• Advance NRC expertise in field of research through the identification, championing, and completion of research projects that are significant additions to the existing body of knowledge with the field;
• Secure receptors and clients by identifying opportunities, participating in business development and marketing activities, and building collaborations with local, national and international organizations;
• Analyze and identify client requirements and prepare project proposals including estimates of time and budget;
• Plan and conduct innovative experiments which may require designing new equipment, experimental techniques, overseeing experimental set-up, supervising data collection, and investigating emerging technologies to achieve Portfolio/Program research objectives;
• Oversee data production and ensure data quality, conduct data analysis, and prepare research reports;
• Produce reports and/or publications on results of research projects;
• Provide scientific expertise and act as a technical resource to relevant Canadian stakeholder communities, and various other internal and external stakeholders;
• Lead or contribute to the development of new facilities, infrastructure, or tools;
• Lead or contribute to the development of new experimental procedures or standards which may include active participation in committees or national or international organizations; and
• Maintain knowledge and expertise in subject area(s) that support the research program areas. 

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

PhD in a relevant area of expertise such as computer science, electrical and computer engineering, math, physics, or a related field.

 

An equivalency of a Master’s Degree in Engineering combined with work experience in research or technology development related to the position may be considered. 

 

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

Experience

Candidates should have experience in the following areas: 

 

• Experience with Bayesian modelling and inference.
• Experience characterising machine learning models in terms of accuracy, latency, throughput, and other metrics. 
• Experience running a variety of machine learning models, including both deep learning and non-deep learning models. 
• Experience in the publication of high calibre research papers.  

 

Assets: 

 

• Experience with dynamic trajectory planning for UGVs and/or UAVs. 
• Experience with hardware interfacing and programming (e.g., Python) 

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. Strong knowledge of techniques for analyzing machine learning algorithms.
2. Strong knowledge of Bayesian modelling.
3. Strong organizational and time-management skills; 
4. Ability to independently plan and execute experiments and/or laboratory tests to achieve specified goals;
5. Ability to analyze, plot, and write reports on data obtained from projects;
6. Ability to communicate clearly and work effectively as a team  member;
7. Ability to work independently to overcome technical challenges, and to communicate and document the outcomes.

Behavioural Competencies

• Research – Communication (Level 2)
• Management services – Conceptual and analytical ability (Level 2)
• Research – Results orientation (Level 2)
• Research – Teamwork (Level 2)
• Research – Self-knowing and self-development (Level 2)

Competency Profile(s)

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

 

View all competency profiles

Compensation

The intent of this hiring action is to staff an early-career Research Officer at the AsRO level, which is level position with a salary range of $82,338 to $114,354.

 

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.
• 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.

 

 

Please direct your questions, with the requisition number (23438) to:

E-mail: [email protected]

Telephone: 343-596-8193 

Closing Date: 03 April 2025 – 23:59 Eastern Time 

 

 

For more information on career tools and other resources, check out Career tools and resources

 

*If you are currently a term or continuing employee at NRC, please apply through the SuccessFactors Careers module from your NRC computer.