Research Officer - Structural Integrity

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: Aerospace 

Classification: RO 

Tenure: Continuing 

Language Requirements: English

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. 

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 a Research Officer - Structural Integrity in the Structural Integrity group to support the NRC Aerospace Research Centre strategic research area on aircraft digital twin development. This research will involve a combination of structural modelling, testing, and/or data analytics. This person would be someone who shares our core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect and Creativity.

Working for the NRC Aerospace Research Centre (NRC-AERO), you will support the goals of NRC through research of international calibre and the development and application of innovative technologies. You will work 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. You will support research programs within the Structural Integrity Team of the Aerospace Structures and Materials Performance Laboratory. You will support developing, implementing, and managing research activities backed by the industry and by the military to enhance the performance and integrity assessment of new and aged aerospace structures.

This position will appeal to a person who is well organized, who is detail-oriented and who enjoys working as part of a multidisciplinary team to deliver excellent service. If you’re that person, then this may be the perfect role for you!
 
In joining our team, you will enjoy a wide range of benefits including comprehensive health and dental plans, pension and insurance plans, vacation and other leave entitlements.

NRC’s main campus on Montreal Road offers free parking and easy access for runners, walkers and in-line skaters to break away during the day and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. Most buildings have showers and locker facilities, in addition to an on-campus fitness centre. There are also areas for soccer, volleyball and even beach volleyball during the summer! There are ample picnic areas and easy access to a shopping centre, grocery store and pharmacy, as well as numerous restaurants.

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:

Ph.D. in Mechanical or Aerospace Engineering with a focus on aerospace structures.
 
Applicants with a research-based Master’s degree in adjacent fields and significant experience related to aerospace structures may be considered.
 

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

• Experience in conducting structural analysis and/or optimization using in-house and/or commercial finite element packages for metallic and/or composite materials and/or structures;
• Experience in conducting static and/or fatigue testing to characterize mechanical performance of metallic and/or composite materials and/or structures, including test data/results analysis/interpretation, and/or using advanced experimental mechanic techniques; and
• Experience in research activities involving structural digital engineering, structural modelling and testing comparison, verification and validation, and/or uncertainty quantification using probabilistic and statistical methods. 

Assets:

• Experience in research activities involving the use of programming languages, for example Fortran, C++, Matlab, Python or VBA;
• Experience in planning, coordination and/or management of scientific projects, including experience in preparation of research proposals; 
• Experience in performing fatigue and fracture analysis using in-house and/or commercial software for metallic and/or composite materials. 
• Experience in developing aircraft structural load development and/or usage monitoring techniques.

 Secret (II)

English

Information on language requirements and self-assessment tests

Candidates will be assessed on the basis of the following criteria:

• Knowledge of structural mechanics and of the application of the finite element analysis method for metallic, composite, and/or hybrid structures;
• Ability to design, plan, and carry out mechanical testing, including both static and fatigue testing, using advanced experimental mechanic techniques, for aerospace materials and structures;
• Ability to use commercial finite element analysis packages, for example Patran, Nastran, Mentat, Marc, Abaqus or StressCheck; and
• Ability to communicate clearly in discussions and through presentations, and to write high quality reports and papers.

 
The following competencies will be considered as assets:

• Knowledge of fatigue and fracture mechanics and ability to use software such as AFGROW, NASGRO and FASTRAN;
• Knowledge of aircraft structural design principles, structural optimization, non-destructive inspection techniques, damage repair techniques, and/or certification process;
• Knowledge of advanced computational and/or probabilistic and statistical methods for structural performance evaluation, including Bayesian updating, importance sampling, surrogate modelling, artificial intelligence/machine learning for digital twin model development.

• Research - Communication (Level 2)
• Research - Creative thinking (Level 2)
• Research - Results orientation (Level 2)
• Research - Self-knowing and self-development (Level 2)
• Research - Teamwork (Level 2)

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

View all competency profiles

Relocation assistance will be determined in accordance with the NRC's directives.

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 $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 including comprehensive health and dental plans, pension and insurance plans, vacation and other leave entitlements.

• ​A pre-qualified list may be established for similar positions for a one year period.
• This position is being advertised internally and externally simultaneously, however first consideration will be given to internal NRC applicants.
• In order to ensure a prompt processing of applications, candidates are encouraged to provide, along with their résumé, a detailed covering letter explaining how they meet each of the requirements of this position (education, experience, language requirements) by providing concrete examples.
• Some national and international travels may be required.
• Overtime will sometimes be required.
• 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 (16699) to:

E-mail: [email protected]

Telephone : 438-455-5335 

Closing Date: 7 July 2022 - 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.