City: Victoria Organizational Unit: Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics
Classification: RCO
Tenure: Term
Duration: 2 years with the possibility of extension
Language Requirements: English
Priority will 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.
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).
The NRC Advantage
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Great Minds. One Goal. Canada’s Success.
The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) is the Government of Canada’s largest research organization supporting industrial innovation, the advancement of knowledge and technology development. We collaborate with over 70 colleges, universities and hospitals annually, work with 800 companies on their projects, and provide advice or funding to over 8000 Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) each year. We bring together the brightest minds to deliver tangible impacts on the lives of Canadians and people around the world. And now, we want to partner with you. Let your expertise and inspirations make an impact by joining the NRC. At the NRC, we know that diversity enables excellence in research and innovation. We are committed to a diverse and representative workforce, a safe and respectful work environment, and contributing to a more inclusive Canadian innovation system. We welcome all qualified applicants and encourage you to complete the employment equity self-declaration questions during the job application process. Please let us know of any accommodation measures required to help you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner. Please note that the information you provide will be treated confidentially.
Your Challenge
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Help bring research to life and drive your career forward with the National Research Council of Canada (NRC), Canada’s largest research and technology organization.
We are looking for Research Engineer to support our Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics (HAA) Research Centre. The Research Engineer would be someone who shares our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect and Creativity. The primary responsibility of the Research Engineer is to support the goals of NRC through the delivery of applied engineering research activities, designs, and solutions, testing and evaluation of physical items and the development and application of advanced technologies.
The Radio Instrumentation Team, as part of HAA’s Astronomy Technology Directorate (ATD), is designing and manufacturing low noise radio astronomy receivers across the radio frequency (RF) and millimetre wave range. The team has built low noise amplifiers, mixers, and receivers for radio astronomy observatories such as ALMA, JCMT, CARMA, ARO, and the SKA. We are seeking an RF Engineer with expertise in monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuits (MMIC) and low noise amplifier design, module assembly and testing. The candidate will be a key member of the research and development team in the following projects:
* Indium Phosphide Transistor and MMIC Development: We are currently developing low noise amplifiers using Indium Phosphide transistor and MMIC technology fabricated at our in-house semiconductor manufacturing facility. This project will involve device modelling, creation of a process design kit (PDK), MMIC design and testing.
* Wide Band Low Noise Amplifiers: We are developing wide band MMIC-based amplifiers for a major partner observatory. This project will explore the design trade-offs of key performance metrics to achieve wide band performance with the required gain, flatness and noise characteristics.
* Cryogenic Front End Low Noise Amplifiers: Cryogenic low noise amplifiers both hybrid and MMIC-based are currently being developed for future upgrades to major sub/millimeter wave astronomical observatories. These will be incorporated into prototype receivers.
Primary specific duties include:
1. Development of a Process Design Kit (PDK) to be used in the design of NRC MMICs. This will include device modelling, DC and high frequency measurements of transistors and passive components, and statistical data analysis.
2. Extension of the PDK to cryogenic temperatures.
3. Design and development of wide band MMIC low noise amplifiers for cryogenic operation:
* The design work includes device modelling and optimization using computer simulation software such as Advanced Design System, Microwave office, CST Microwave Studio, HFSS, and Sonnet.
* Working closely with researchers from our in-house semiconductor fabrication facility to understand the fabrication processing and device performance.
* For testing, the successful candidate will plan and implement millimetre wave and microwave measurements at room and cryogenic temperatures for verifying the performance of the devices fabricated. This includes developing new measurement techniques.
* For the prototyping of MMIC low noise amplifiers, the successful candidate will design packaging to achieve optimum performance and suitable fabrication.
4. Collaborate with scientists and engineers at varying NRC Research Centers in Canada and collaborators internationally.
5. Write progress reports and present technical materials at design reviews, meetings, and conferences.
Screening Criteria
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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:
* Master’s or PhD degree in Electrical Engineering, Applied Physics, Physics, or related discipline.
For information on certificates and diplomas issued abroad, please see: http://www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/jobs/services/gc-jobs/degree-equivalency.html
Experience:
* Experience in the design of low noise amplifiers and MMICs for high (GHz) frequency operation;
* Experience using specialized CAD tools such as Advanced Design System, Microwave Office, CST Microwave Studio, or HFSS;
* Experience with RF/Microwave testing of transistors and MMICs and S-parameter measurements.
Condition of Employment:
* Reliability Status
Language Requirements:
* English
Information on language requirements and self-assessment tests: http://www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/services/second-language-testing-public-service/self-assessment-tests.html
Assessment Criteria
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Candidates will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:
Technical Competencies:
* Strong knowledge of the principles of design and operation of low noise transistors, amplifiers, MMICs at high (GHz) frequencies;
* Ability to use microwave measurement and laboratory techniques at an advanced level, up to millimetre wavelengths;
* Working knowledge of noise measurement theory and methods;
* Knowledge of microfabrication techniques used in the fabrication of microwave and millimetre wave components and devices;
* Knowledge of designing MMICs in Indium Phosphide or Gallium Arsenide materials would be an asset;
* Knowledge of developing Process Design Kits (PDKs) would be an asset;
* Working knowledge of cryogenics and vacuum technologies is desirable;
* Strong statistical data analysis and device modelling skills.
Behavioural Competencies:
* Research – Creative thinking (Level 2)
* Research – Initiative (Level 2)
* Research – Communication (Level 2)
* Research – Teamwork (Level 2)
* Research – Networking (Level 2)
Competency Profile(s)
For this position, the NRC will evaluate candidates using the following competency profile: http://nrc.canada.ca/en/node/693/
View all competency profiles: http://nrc.canada.ca/en/node/577/
Relocation
Relocation assistance will be determined in accordance with the NRC’s directives.
Compensation
This position is classified as a Research Council Officer (RCO), a group that is unique to the NRC. Candidates are remunerated based on their expertise, outcomes and impacts of their previous work experience relative to the requirements of the level. The salary scale for this group is vast, from $57,220 to $161,754 per annum, which permits for employees of all levels from new graduates to world renowned experts to be fairly compensated for their contributions. NRC employees enjoy a wide-range of competitive benefits (http://nrc.canada.ca/en/corporate/careers/nrc-advantage) including comprehensive health and dental plans, pension and insurance plans, vacation and other leave entitlements.
Notes
* 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.
Please direct your questions, with the requisition number (18665) to:
E-mail: NRC.NRCHiring-EmbaucheCNRC.CNRC@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca
Telephone: 819-431-8570
Closing Date: 24 March 2023 – 23:59 Eastern Time
For more information on career tools and other resources, check out http://nrc.canada.ca/en/node/1194/
If you are currently a term or continuing employee at NRC, please apply through the SuccessFactors Careers module from your NRC computer.