The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) Luise and Gerhard Herzberg Postdoctoral Fellowship is awarded every year to a recent PhD graduate who identifies as a woman and who has demonstrated research excellence. It commemorates the contributions of Drs. Luise and Gerhard Herzberg to science.
Dr. Gerhard Herzberg received the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1971, "for his contributions to the knowledge of electronic structure and geometry of molecules, particularly free radicals."
Dr. Gerhard Herzberg joined the NRC in 1948, and shortly after became the director of the Division of Pure Physics. On his retirement, he became its first distinguished research scientist. Dr. Herzberg's research encompassed physics, chemistry, molecular spectroscopy and astrophysics.
Dr. Luise Herzberg received her PhD in astrophysics in Germany in 1933. Dr. Herzberg worked at the NRC as a volunteer research associate, then at the Dominion Observatory of Canada and later at the Radio Physics Laboratory in Ottawa, where she worked on the development of Alouette, Canada's first satellite.
The fellowship was announced as part of the 50th anniversary of the Canada-Germany Science and Technology Agreement on the occasion of the NRC Symposium Celebrating the Success of Women in STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) on February 11, 2022.
We're now accepting applications for the NRC Luise and Gerhard Herzberg Fellowship. The call for applications is now closed.
Collaboration opportunity
Fellows are expected to undertake cutting-edge, independent research from any discipline. Fellows will be associated with one of the 12 NRC research centres. This can include collaboration with industry and other partners.
Community
The scientific atmosphere at the NRC is vibrant and collegial, with staff ranging from young researchers to emeritus researchers. Fellows are also eligible to mentor undergraduate or graduate students and are encouraged to participate in outreach programs within the community.
Research facilities
Our 12 research centres span a broad spectrum of activities and enable our researchers and partners to advance research and accelerate commercial development that leads to scientific breakthroughs and innovation.
Eligibility
Candidates will need to submit a research proposal in any science, technology, engineering or math (STEM) discipline.
Priority will be given to PhD graduates who identify as women and who have demonstrated research excellence.
For the purpose of this fellowship a "recent PhD graduate" will be defined as someone that has completed her PhD within the last 3 years or is expected to obtain it in the next 6 months.
The successful candidate will be hired as an NRC Luise and Gerhard Herzberg fellow for a 2-year term.
