Research Officer in Self-driving Laboratories for Accelerated Process Optimization for Clean Energy

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: Mississauga

Organizational Unit: Clean Energy Innovation

Classification: RO

Tenure: Term

Duration: Until 31 March 2029

Language Requirements: English

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.

The role

We are looking for a Research Officer (RO) with experience in a variety of accelerated process optimization aspects to be at the forefront of our accelerated material discovery/process optimization platforms at the NRC Research Facility in Mississauga. The selected candidate would be someone who shares our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect and Creativity.

You will be working in a team environment with researchers and technical experts in world-class facilities. This work will involve you playing a leading role in the design, development, and orchestration of self-driving laboratories (material acceleration platforms) at Clean Energy Innovation Mississauga (CEI-M). This role will be highly collaborative, leading a project involving a multi-disciplinary team of mechatronics, design and automation engineers, electrochemists, process engineers, and AI/ML experts to realize self-driving laboratories towards new material discoveries.

In this role, you will be responsible for all aspects of the self-driving laboratory, including:

• the conception and direction of the experimental workflow,
• benchtop-to-automation/high throughput experimentation development as it relates to synthesis, characterization, and performance measurements
• development of the data handling and post-processing automation workflow
• working with AI/ML experts for optimization algorithm development and associated experts for integration into the experimental workflow.

You will work with a team that possesses focused skill sets (subject matter expert, AI/ML, robotics and automation etc.) to address specific areas of the project. However, you will serve as the primary orchestrator to realize a successful self-driving laboratory, and be directly involved in all aspects from conception, development, testing, operation, and deployment. You will lead autonomous materials discovery or process optimization campaigns, utilizing a validated self-driving laboratory, and also take on the role of project manager, and be responsible for project definition, budget, timeline, and regular reporting of project progress to program managers and team lead.

You will be involved in the development of new research proposals, management of research projects, maintenance of research partnerships with external academic, industrial and government collaborators and supervision of junior staff, students and vendors.

Being in a dynamic position means that the workdays are always evolving, challenging and motivating. You are a self-starter who can excel in an evolving and exciting R&D environment and provide input into the direction and priorities of R&D activities that will be set forth by this new initiative in Mississauga. If you are that person, this may be the perfect role for you!

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 Chemistry, Physics, Engineering, or similar domain.

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

Experience

• Experience** with concepts of laboratory automation and/or hands-on experience working with automated equipment in the context of clean energy technologies
• Experience** with AI/ML approaches and data science, in particular as it relates to their application with experimental data and/or experimental optimization
• Significant*** experience in the preparation of scientific publications and new research proposals
• Recent* experience in mineral processing and extractive metallurgy, with a focus in extraction and purification
• Recent* experience in leading research projects involving a multidisciplinary team. Experience working in an agile environment would be considered an asset
• Experience** with robotics and mechatronics would be an asset

* Recent experience is defined as within the last three (3) years.
** Experience is defined as one (1) to three (3) years of experience.
*** Significant experience is defined as three (3) to five (5) years of experience.

Condition of employment

Reliability Status

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

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

• Knowledge of machine learning / AI methods and their applications to experimental data;
• Knowledge of data science (statistics and quality control) as it relates to experimental data and ability to automate data storage, curation, and post-processing of experimental results
• Knowledge of hydrometallurgical processing pertaining to battery materials (eg. Li, Ni, Co, Fe, and Mn)
• Demonstrate knowledge of common clean energy technologies as evidenced by a strong publication record in high-impact journals
• Applies advanced programming capabilities (1-3 years minimum experience) in languages relevant to accelerated materials discovery, particularly Python

Behavioural competencies

• Research - Communication (Level 3)
• Research - Creative thinking (Level 3)
• Research - Teamwork (Level 2)
• Research - Results orientation (Level 3)
• Research - Initiative (Level 2)

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 this position at the AsRO to AcRO level, which is a mid-career level position with a salary range of $83,985 to $139,608.

NOTE: Please note that the full RO/RCO salary scale has five levels. 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. As such, the initial salary could be within another level of the RO/RCO salary scale (i.e. above or below the intended level for this position).

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.

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Discover the possible

Anything is possible at the NRC, named in 2025 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.

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.

Please direct your questions, with the requisition number (25235) to:

E-mail: [email protected]

Telephone: 3439909603

Closing Date: 12 November 2026 - 23:59 Eastern Time

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