Director General
Quantum and Nanotechnologies Research Centre
Dr. Peter C. Mason is the Director General of the Quantum and Nanotechnologies Research Centre. He joined the NRC in 2020 to develop and lead the Quantum Sensors Challenge program. Under his leadership, the program has become highly visible and valued within the Canadian quantum science and technology community.
Peter began his career as an assistant professor at Mount Allison University, where he taught introductory physics and senior-level quantum mechanics. He then worked as a product research scientist in photonics at JDS Uniphase Corporation, in Ottawa. Peter spent 17 years with Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC), where he established himself as a leading defence research scientist and scientific leader. In 2014, he transitioned to science management and held several positions before being appointed DRDC's Chief Scientist. During his tenure, he published over 50 peer-reviewed papers and led award-winning international collaborative scientific projects. While at DRDC, Peter was also an adjunct professor at the University of Ottawa and the University of Ontario Institute of Technology.
Peter has been recognized with awards for outstanding scientific achievement, strong leadership and creative management, and for promoting a healthy workplace environment.
He holds a Joint Honours Bachelor of Science degree in mathematics and physics from Mount Allison University, and an M.Sc. and PhD in physics from McMaster University. He also completed a postdoctoral fellowship at the National Research Council of Canada's Steacie Institute for Molecular Sciences.
Beyond his professional accomplishments, he is known for his community leadership, particularly for his advocacy of cycling as an alternative means of transportation, for which he received the Bruce Timmermans Cycling Award. He also coaches the Ottawa Bicycle Club's mountain biking Youth Racing Team.