Research Officer, Semiconductor Fabrication

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: Ottawa

Organizational Unit: Quantum and Nanotechnologies

Classification: RO

Tenure: Term

Duration: 2 years

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 Research Officer, Semiconductor Fabrication to support the Advanced Technology Fabrication (ATF) facility at the Quantum Nanotechnology Research Centre. The Research Officer would be someone who shares our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect and Creativity.

Working with clients and partners, the National Research Council Canada provides strategic research, innovation support, scientific, and technical services to develop and deploy solutions to meet Canada’s current and future industrial and societal needs. The ATF offers our clients and partners access to cutting-edge semiconductor research and fabrication capabilities providing simulation, design, fabrication, testing, characterization, and prototyping. Bringing cutting edge research to the benefit of Canadian society and industries.

The key activities of the Research Officer in Semiconductor Fabrication are to:

• Lead and manage full III-V and Si-based fabrication projects which support the objectives of NRC’s Quantum and Nanotechnologies Research Centre;
• Develop, optimize and validate new fabrication processes (lithography, metallization, thin film deposition and etch, process metrology and materials characterizations);
• Collaborate with team members to establish and validate “process blocks and process flows” for optoelectronic, electronic and quantum devices and components fabrication;
• Function as the engineering prime for the metallization systems available within the ATF (thermal, electron beam, ion-assist and sputtering) and create and oversee metal stack contact technologies, as well as fully explore the nitridation capabilities of reactive sputtering for next generation devices.

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

Master’s degree in Physical, Chemical, Materials Sciences, or equivalent Engineering disciplines.

A PhD in one of these disciplines will be considered an asset.

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

Experience

• Significant recent hands‑on experience in cleanrooms and semiconductor fabrication environments;
• Significant recent hands‑on experience in semiconductor process development and optimization (lithography, metallization, wet‑and dry‑etch, metal contact alloying, materials and devices electrical and structural characterization);
• Significant recent hands on experience with metallization tools/systems: thermal, electron beam and sputtering
• Hands‑on experience in the operation of five (5) or more of the following semiconductor front‑and back‑end processing tools will be considered an asset:
  • Mask and maskless optical aligners,
  • Electroplating,
  • Rapid thermal annealers,
  • PECVDs
  • Wet‑and dry‑etch (RIE & ICP‑RIE)
  • Electrical probe stations,
  • LabVIEW automation software development,
  • Materials characterization (EDX, XRD)
  • Metrology (VASE, reflectometry, SEM) equipment,
  • Automated or semi-automated Scribers/dicers
  • Lappers/polishers
• Significant recent experience is defined as at least two (2) years of experience gained within the last 5 years.

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

• Solid knowledge of semiconductor processing principles (lithography, metallization, thin film deposition and etch, materials and electrical characterization techniques, and partial back‑end processing);
• Demonstrated ability in the operation and programming of thermal, electron beam and/or sputtering metallization systems.
• Demonstrated ability of qualifying and maintaining semiconductor processes
• Demonstrated ability to integrate semiconductor fabrication process in the fabrication of functional semiconductor‑based devices; and
• Solid knowledge of safe working practices in a semiconductor device fabrication environment; including working with chemicals, compressed gases, liquid nitrogen, and electrical, mechanical and vacuum systems.

Behavioural competencies

• Research - Communication (Level 2)
• Research - Creative thinking (Level 2)
• Research - Partnering (Level 1)
• Research - Results orientation (Level 2)
• Research - Teamwork (Level 2)

Competency Profile(s)

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

View all competency profiles

Compensation

This position is classified as a Research Officer (RO), 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 $64,739 to $183,010 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 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 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.

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 (26008) to:

E‑mail: View email address on apply.j-vers.com

Telephone: View phone number on apply.j-vers.com

Closing Date: 27 October 2026 - 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 Careersmodule from your NRC computer.