The call for proposals is closed for 2025
1. Overview
The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project is a global effort to deliver one of the most ambitious scientific facilities on the planet. The project is building the 2 largest radio telescope arrays in the world—which will become the Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO). SKAO will deliver transformational science about the universe, the fundamental laws of physics and the prospects for life beyond our solar system.
For over 40 years, Canadian astronomers have been at the forefront of defining the fundamental science and necessary technologies for the SKA project. Canadians have been actively involved in nearly all of the science working groups within the SKA, half of which have been chaired by Canadians. Providing both technical advice and key technological components, Canada has also been a key partner in the design and construction of the SKAO.
The SKA project is a massive Big Data challenge because the project must process, store and distribute 2 petabytes of data each day for scientists around the world. Canada has played a vital role both in developing the SKA's scientific ambitions and in pioneering the technologies that will make it possible.
2. Objectives and scope
The Canadian SKA Scientist Program is a key component in ensuring that all Canadians researchers have effective and equitable access to the full potential of the SKA and that Canada continues to be a world leader in radio astronomy.
This Program will provide funding to top-level postdoctoral researchers from Canada and around the globe. It will develop future leaders in science, research, and technology with a solid foundation in community support and engagement that will benefit Canada, and the Canadian astronomical community.
The Program will fund fixed-term positions (3 to 5 years) for early-career researchers at Canadian universities to support SKA science. Up to 3 positions will be funded in the first year of the Program (2025). These Canadian SKA Scientists will form a network of SKA experts across Canada, pursuing their own cutting-edge, independent research. They will also help other scientists to effectively use the SKA arrays to advance our understanding of the universe through innovative instrumentation, technology and observational research.
Canadian SKA Scientists will benefit from the mentorship of faculty members at their chosen host institutions and will make wide-ranging contributions to the Canadian SKA initiative, providing support for the SKA community. This Program is managed by the NRC's Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Centre.
3. Eligible proposals
Proposals that meet the scientific and community service goals of the SKA will be considered for the Canadian SKA Scientist Program.
3.1 Scientific goals
The SKA scientific goals are broad and ambitious—they seek answers to some of the biggest remaining mysteries in astrophysics. Proposals should embrace the potential of the SKAO for scientific discovery through pure science, by contributing to advances in technology and innovation or by delivering a broader benefit for industry and for society as a whole.
In pursuing independent research, SKA Scientists will have the opportunity to test the limits of engineering and scientific endeavours and to explore fundamental questions in astronomy and physics. They will foster scientific excellence within the Canadian astronomical community by encouraging and facilitating use of the SKA.
SKA Scientists will build and maintain strong relationships with the Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Centre and with astronomers at Canadian universities to maximize the scientific returns on Canada's investment in the SKA project.
In addition to working closely with the NRC, SKA Scientists will benefit from a local mentor—an identified faculty member who will also be their point of contact at the host institution.
3.2 Community service goals
While carrying out independent research, SKA Scientists will also support the Canadian astronomical community by developing, enhancing and maintaining the capacity to scientifically exploit SKA data. The goal is to enable the community to develop world-class science programs centred on SKAO and to develop data processing and analysis software that will enable cutting-edge research and the publication of important knowledge about the universe.
The nature of the SKA Scientist's service to the astronomical community will be negotiated between the Scientist and the Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Centre. The SKA Scientist is expected to allocate 50% of their time to this service. The NRC will work with each SKA Scientist to ensure the interests of the Scientist and the needs of the Canadian SKA community are aligned as closely as possible. SKA Scientists are encouraged to engage in educational and public outreach activities to involve a wider audience, in STEM in general and in astronomy in particular. However, their role is not to communicate on behalf of SKA nor to manage SKA educational and public outreach activities in Canada.
SKA Scientists will interact frequently with scientists at the NRC and with the other Canadian SKA Scientists. SKA Scientists will work with NRC employees to define the nature of their interactions, and they will be expected to provide the NRC with regular updates on their research results and support activities, including brief quarterly reports.
All SKA Scientists are expected to attend a yearly meeting (time and location to be determined) to share information and experiences and to learn about the latest SKA developments and opportunities.
4. Eligible recipients
The Canadian SKA Scientist Program provides opportunities to outstanding, recent doctoral graduates in any field of expertise in astronomy, physics or another scientific field that can push the boundaries of science with the SKA.
These positions are open to applicants from any country although preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada. Please include citizenship information in your application. Successful applicants who are not Canadian citizens or permanent residents are responsible for securing the necessary visa and work permits for the duration of the Program and for all costs related to obtaining these documents. For more information, consult the Canadian government's page on working in Canada and the online application for Canadian work permits.
The NRC is committed to diversity, equity and inclusion and strongly encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, racialized persons and Indigenous persons. Accommodations will be provided for applicants with disabilities.
To be eligible, an applicant must have obtained their PhD in the 5 years prior to the start date of their term. Career interruptions may be accommodated on a case-by-case basis; details should be included in the cover letter. An applicant who has not fulfilled the degree requirements at the time of application must submit proof of completion at least 90 days before their start date.
Successful applicants must begin their terms no later than December 31, 2025.
Restrictions:
- A Canadian SKA Scientist position cannot be held in conjunction with a postdoctoral fellowship nor can the associated honorific title be used with an honorific fellowship title
- An individual can hold a Canadian SKA Scientist position only once in their lifetime
5. Duration
SKA Scientists are appointed for 3 years with the possibility of an additional two-year extension, conditional upon satisfactory performance and availability of funds. At some host institutions, the maximum allowable duration of a fixed-term position may be less than 5 years. In these cases, the term of the Canadian SKA Scientist position will be set at the maximum duration allowed by the host institution.
6. Eligible costs
The Canadian SKA Scientist Program covers a variety of costs incurred by the Scientists, including:
- Salary or stipend
- Relocation costs (only once)
- Science and SKA support-related travel costs
- Research support costs, including publication charges, other direct research costs and information technology costs such as computers and peripherals
7. Funding and support
The Canadian SKA Scientist Program offers a competitive compensation package comparable with postdoctoral fellowships in Canada, with additional allowances for relocation, travel, computing, publications and other direct research costs. Funding for the Canadian SKA Scientist Program is provided by the NRC through contributions to host institutions, with the faculty mentors serving as the award administrators. Scientists are not employees of the Government of Canada but are either fixed-term employees or stipend recipients of the host institutions. Administrative rules of each host institution will apply.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to check with their chosen institution to find out whether they would be employees or stipend recipients because there are different tax and benefit implications and visa requirements. Applicants are encouraged to consider these factors before choosing a host institution.
8. Host institution
Canadian SKA Scientist positions can be held at a Canadian host institution of the Scientist's choice as long as the choice is justified and the host institution has agreed and identified a faculty member as the point of contact.
When applying, applicants are asked to propose up to 3 host institutions, in order of preference. Applicants must investigate the research specializations of potential faculty members and host institutions and best match their own strengths and interests when making their choices. They must also contact the faculty members to discuss endorsement of their application. As part of the process, applicants must draft a research project and implementation plan to submit with their application and for discussion with potential faculty members. For their first choice of host institution only, the applicant must include an endorsement letter from the faculty member acting as point of contact for their first choice of host institution.
A maximum of 2 SKA Scientists may be located at a host institution at any given time (exceptions may be considered only for short periods of overlap). A faculty member may be point of contact for only 1 Scientist at any time.
Applicants should carefully consider their choice of host institutions. Although host institutions do not play a significant role in decisions about applicants, the policies, directives and other requirements of the host institution will apply to the Scientists once they are in the position.
SKA Scientists may spend time at NRC research centres and in industry or at other locations, but their primary affiliation must be with their host institution. Note that periods at other locations longer than 3 months require approval by the faculty point of contact and the NRC.
9. Application requirements
All documents and information listed below must be single spaced and in 12-point font or larger, with all pages numbered and received by the deadline. Incomplete applications and applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
DEADLINE: No later than 11:59 pm PT on January 12, 2025
The application submission must be a single PDF document with all mandatory elements and follow the file naming convention below (applicant's name followed by "-SKA-Scientist Application"):
LastName_FirstName-SKA-ScientistApplication.PDF
Applications must be submitted by email to Bureau-SKA-Office@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca by the deadline and contain only the following words in the subject line:
Canadian SKA Scientist Program: Last name, First name
Mandatory elements of all applications:
- Cover letter that clearly expresses the applicant's motivation for applying and how their proposed research and community support work will help strengthen Canada's commitment to the SKA (maximum 2 pages)
- List of up to 3 host institutions, in order of preference, with 1 or 2 paragraphs providing justification for the applicant's first choice
- Curriculum vitae
- List of publications
- Research overview describing the applicant's current work and their planned activities with SKA and its precursors and pathfinders
- Endorsement letter from the applicant's first choice host institution
- 3 letters of reference, with at least 1 being from the applicant's home institution (include the names, contact information and email addresses of the references)
- Applicants should arrange for reference letters to be sent to Bureau-SKA-Office@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca by 11:59 pm PT on January 19, 2025 with the subject line: LastName_FirstName-SKA-ScientistReference
Please send any enquiries to Bureau-SKA-Office@nrc-cnrc.gc.ca.
9.1 Additional information on application elements
Endorsement letter
The endorsement letter expresses the willingness of the institution to host the applicant and confirms that the proposed faculty mentor would be willing to support the applicant in their proposed research. The endorsement letter can be sent separately from the application, but must be received by the deadline.
Sample endorsement letter
Canadian SKA Scientist Program
Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Centre
Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory
717 White Lake Road
Kaleden, British Columbia V0H 1K0
I am writing regarding [applicant name]'s application for a Canadian SKA Scientist Program position. We have reviewed their research proposal entitled "[program title]" and are happy to endorse it. We would welcome the applicant here and be pleased to offer them support and access to our facilities during their tenure. Dr. [faculty mentor name] has agreed to serve as their faculty mentor.
Should this applicant be successful, we agree to waive our institutional indirect costs for this program.
Sincerely yours,
List of publications
The list of publications highlights up to 3 of the applicant's most significant publications, including a brief description of the key results and implications (limit to 1 paragraph per publication, if possible).
Research overview
The research overview summarizes the applicant's current work and any planned activities with the SKA and its precursors and pathfinders. The goal of the overview is to provide the selection committee with a summary of what an applicant intends to accomplish if they are awarded an SKA Scientist position.
The research overview is a maximum of 8 pages in length (10 pages if written in French), excluding the reference list.
The overview must include the following 3 sections:
- Summary of previous and current research
Provides an overview of research to date. Figures and tables from previous and current research can be included.
The summary highlights what the applicant considers to be their most significant contribution to their field (paper, result, software, instrument, etc.). - Research proposal
Formulates a specific research program that is related to SKA science and is compatible with the research activities of the applicant's preferred host institution.
The proposal should clearly demonstrate the relevance of the proposed research program to the scientific or technical goals of the SKA. - Community support
Makes it clear how the SKA Scientist would support the Canadian astronomical community in taking full advantage of Canada's access to the SKA and SKA data.
Examples:- Serving on SKAO-related committees (e.g., Canadian SKA Regional Centre user committees)
- Helping the community take advantage of opportunities to apply for SKA observing time
- Writing software and analysis pipelines useful to the broader astronomical community
- Helping define the SKAO development program
- Providing support to the Canadian SKA Regional Centre helpdesk
- Developing new technical, analysis or other capabilities
- Providing outreach to academics in underserved communities
- Helping to develop new SKA observing modes and data products
- Organizing SKA conferences and workshops
These are just some examples. We strongly encourage applicants to submit innovative proposals.
References
Applicants can include references from members of the proposed host institution, although the selection committee may not weight them as heavily as those from outside the proposed institution, who would not have a vested interest in the applicant being assigned to their institution.
10. Selection of Canadian SKA Scientists
10.1 Committee review
Applications are reviewed by the Canadian SKA Scientist Program selection committee. The committee comprises astrophysicists from diverse areas as well as experts associated with the Canadian SKA effort in general and the Canadian SKA Regional Centre in particular.
Applicants are, therefore, advised to write a proposal that connects their program not only to their subfield but also to questions of broad importance so that the proposal will also appeal to experts in the broader astronomical and technical communities as well as those with expertise in other fields.
The NRC appoints the members of the selection committee. The committee ranks applicants and provides the ranked list with recommendations to the Canadian SKA program lead, who selects the applicants who will receive Canadian SKA Scientist Program funding.
In cases where several successful applicants have requested the same host institution, priority will be given to the highest-ranked applicant, with the committee's general approach being to place as many new Scientists as possible in their first-choice host institutions, taking into account several factors:
- The limit on the number of SKA Scientists at a given institution (no more than 2)
- The successful applicant's ranking of host institutions
- The selection committee's ranking of successful applicants
This process can become complicated, with the decisions related to one applicant affecting those for several other applicants. Therefore, successful applicants are asked (and, in rare cases, required) to make their decisions as quickly as possible.
Offers for 2025 will be made in February 2025. Successful applicants must accept or refuse no later than February 28, 2025. After this date, offers may be made to other successful applicants for any of the initial offers that were not accepted.
10.2. Review criteria
The committee identifies the most promising applicants and research programs, which span the breadth of SKA astrophysics and technical development, using 4 main criteria.
Proposed research program
The proposed research program is the most important element in an application for a Canadian SKA Scientist position. The Canadian SKA Scientists are chosen primarily for having made a convincing case for an important scientific research program using the SKA that will advance the frontiers of astrophysics with the potential to make a lasting impact.
Preparation, including past research
Preparation encompasses the applicant's education, experience, technical abilities, past research, productivity, scientific impact and publication record.
In an effort to provide all applicants with an equal opportunity, the committee will also consider the length of the applicant's career and, if applicable, resources and opportunities the applicant may or may not have had at their disposal over their career.
Community support
The Canadian SKA Scientist will be an important and effective partner supporting the Canadian astronomical community with SKA as well as collaborators with a genuine interest in engaging with the broader astronomical research community.
Leadership potential
The overall application provides evidence of not only the applicant's independence, creativity, capability and perseverance but also their potential to be a leader in the astronomical community. Activities that support diversity, equity, inclusion and indigenous engagement, while not mandatory, are favourably considered by the selection committee.
11. FAQs
Does my choice of host institutions affect how my application is ranked?
Yes, the selection committee evaluates all elements of each application, including the host institution. This ensures that the Canadian SKA Scientists have the support they need from their faculty mentors and host institutions in order to complete their projects. The first-choice institution is considered during the initial evaluation. However, the committee is aware that any applicant may, in the end, go to another institution.
What happens if several applicants choose the same host institution?
The committee ranks all applicants then begins assigning host institutions, starting with the highest-ranked applicant. If you have listed an institution as your first choice that is already full for the year at the time the committee assigns your host institution, you will be given your second choice. If that institution is also full (unlikely but possible), you will be given your third choice. The committee will then go on to the next successful applicant in the ranked list.
Can both Canadian SKA Scientists at a given host institution have the same faculty mentor?
No. While up to 2 positions can be based at the same host institution at any given time, they must have different faculty mentors.
Can I change my first choice institution before I begin my position?
Yes, but priority will be given to Canadian SKA Scientists who have not requested a change to their first choice host institution.
What costs are covered by the Canadian SKA Scientist Program?
Examples of eligible expenses for this funding:
- Salary and benefits or stipends
- One-time relocation costs
- Project-related travel costs
- Equipment and other research costs
The details and breakdown of these items are negotiated by the successful Canadian SKA Scientist with their host institution.