Postdoctoral Fellow, Inorganic Polymer Synthesis for Advanced Ceramic

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.

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 program

The NRC’s Postdoctoral Fellowship program offers PDFs access to unique world-class facilities and the opportunity to work alongside multi-disciplinary teams of expert researchers and technicians on projects of critical importance to Canada. PDFs will carry out research on innovative research projects, with opportunities for career development (publications and/or industry interaction).

PDFs will be offered appointments to the staff of the National Research Council on a term basis and will be offered salaries and benefits currently available to Research Officers. Salaries commensurate with experience are taxable and subject to other deductions. As a guide, the current annual PhD recruiting rate is $83,985. In addition PDFs will be allocated a travel fund to support their work.

Project title

High-Yield Printable Polymers for Extreme Refractory Materials (HYPER Materials)

The role

Extreme environments in defence, aerospace, space, and advanced energy systems involve combinations of high temperature, oxidation, reactive atmospheres, thermal shock, mechanical loading, and erosion that exceed the limits of many conventional materials.

The PDF will contribute to the development of NRC capability in inorganic and organometallic precursors for polymer-derived refractory and ultra‑high‑temperature ceramics, including designing, synthesizing, purifying, and characterizing transition‑metal‑containing preceramic polymers, coordination‑complex precursor systems, and related inorganic or hybrid precursors. The work will link molecular structure and processing to ceramic yield, pyrolysis behaviour, phase evolution, and composition. The position offers a collaborative team environment and access to specialized facilities for air-/moisture-sensitive chemistry, polymer and molecular characterization, thermal analysis, high‑temperature processing, and microstructural evaluation. Downstream application assessments may include compatibility with coating, infiltration, and 3D printing processes.

Expected outcomes may include new precursor chemistries, publications, conference participation, potential intellectual property, and knowledge to support Canadian defence, aerospace, space, and advanced energy stakeholders.

Education

PhD in chemistry or a closely related discipline, with demonstrated experience in synthetic chemistry. For information on certificates and diplomas issued abroad, please see Degree equivalency

Experience

• Experience in one or more of the following areas would be considered an asset:
• synthetic polymer chemistry;
• inorganic or organometallic synthesis;
• air-/moisture-sensitive synthesis;
• coordination chemistry;
• preceramic polymers or polymer-derived ceramics;
• polymer and molecular characterization;
• thermal analysis;
• ceramic conversion or high-temperature processing;
• microstructural characterization; and additive manufacturing or coating processes.

Language requirements

English

Condition of employment

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

Who is eligible?

• Fellowships will be for two years contingent on satisfactory progress achieved during the first year.
• Candidates should have obtained a PhD (or equivalent) within the past three years (PhD received on or after July 1, 2024*) or expect to complete their PhD within 6 months of appointment.
• Fellows will work in a lab under the direct supervision of an NRC researcher.
• Exceptions may be considered to recognize personal or family related leave. Please connect with us using the contact information below to discuss i