The Canadian SKA Scientist Program: call for applications

1. Overview

The SKA is a next-generation radio astronomy observatory that will transform our understanding of the universe. Currently under construction, SKA will comprise the 2 largest and most sensitive radio telescope arrays in the world.

As a global flagship facility, the SKA Observatory (SKAO), will explore the origins of galaxies, stars, and planets, test the laws of physics under extreme conditions, and probe the potential for life elsewhere in the universe.

For over 40 years, Canada has played a leading role in the SKA, helping to define its science, driving its technological development and building the data infrastructure behind one of the world's most ambitious Big Data projects..

The Canadian SKA Scientist Program offers 2 prestigious, independent research appointments of up to 5 years to early-career researchers. Scientists will conduct cutting-edge SKA science and help shape Canada's scientific and technical contributions to the observatory.

2. Objectives and scope

The Canadian SKA Scientist Program ensures that Canadian researchers have effective and equitable access to the full potential of the SKA while advancing Canada's position as a world leader in radio astronomy. The program supports outstanding early-career scientists through prestigious positions that foster cutting-edge research, technical innovation and community leadership.

Canadian SKA Scientists will play a pivotal role in shaping SKA science in Canada, building international research networks, and leading both scientific and technical initiatives. The program will develop future leaders in astronomy, as well as the tools, expertise and community support that will benefit Canada, and the Canadian astronomical community.

The Program will fund fixed-term positions for early-career researchers at Canadian universities to conduct independent research and contribute directly to SKA science. Up to 2 positions will be funded in 2026.

Canadian SKA Scientists form a network of SKA experts across Canada, to support the broader community to use SKA and its pathfinders to advance discovery through innovative instrumentation, technology and research.

Canadian SKA Scientists will benefit from the mentorship of faculty members at their chosen host institutions and make wide-ranging contributions to the Canadian SKA initiative, providing a strong foundation for career development. 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 in any area aligned with the SKA's wide-ranging science vision or technological framework are welcome. Applicants are encouraged to 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. Canadian SKA Scientists will foster scientific excellence within the Canadian astronomical community by encouraging and facilitating use of the SKA.

Canadian 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.

3.2 Community service goals

While carrying out independent research, Canadian SKA Scientists will play a leadership role in building Canada's capacity to scientifically exploit SKA data. Through their expertise, they will shape how the Canadian astronomical community engages with the SKA, enabling world-class science programs, developing advanced data analysis tools and conducting community and public outreach.

Each Canadian SKA Scientist will define their contributions in consultation with the Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Centre with approximately 50% of their time dedicated to this community-facing work. The NRC will work with each Canadian SKA Scientist to ensure their interests 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. Applicants are encouraged to propose contributions that align with their strengths and career goals, while demonstrating a clear national benefit. This model provides an opportunity for SKA Scientists to have lasting influence on the Canadian research ecosystem, while tailoring their role to their own strengths and career goals. The Canadian SKA Scientists are encouraged to engage in education and public outreach.

Scientists will interact frequently with NRC researchers and other Canadian SKA Scientists, and will help shape the evolving SKA landscape through active engagement. They will be expected to provide brief quarterly updates on their research and support activities.

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 related 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, 2026.

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

Canadian SKA Scientists are appointed for 3 years with the possibility of an additional 2-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 generous compensation package comparable to other prestigious postdoctoral fellowships in Canada, including full salary, research and travel funding, and relocation support. Appointments are fully funded by the NRC and administered by 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. Applicants must secure endorsement from a Canadian host institution and identify a faculty mentor.

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 mentors. For their first choice of host institution only, the applicant must include an endorsement letter from the institution, naming the faculty member point of contact.

A maximum of 2 Canadian 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.

Canadian 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 November 7, 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-ScientistApplication"):

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
• Full list of publications, highlighting up to 3 most significant
• Research overview describing the applicant's current work, planned activities with SKA and its precursors and pathfinders and their community support plans.
• Endorsement letter from the applicant's first choice host institution
• Names and contact information for 3 references.

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.

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).

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 5 pages in length (6 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:
  1. Serving on SKAO-related committees (e.g., Canadian SKA Regional Centre user committees)
  2. Helping the community take advantage of opportunities to apply for SKA observing time
  3. Writing software and analysis pipelines useful to the broader astronomical community
  4. Helping define the SKAO development program
  5. Providing support to the Canadian SKA Regional Centre helpdesk
  6. Developing new technical, analysis or other capabilities
  7. Providing outreach to academics in underserved communities
  8. Helping to develop new SKA observing modes and data products
  9. 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 it will 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 recommendations to the Canadian SKA program lead, who selects the applicants to 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. The goal is to place as many new Scientists as possible in their first-choice host institutions, taking into account several factors including:

• The number of Canadian SKA Scientists at a given institution
• 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 2026 will be made in January 2026. Successful applicants must accept or refuse no later than February 15, 2026. After this date, offers may be made to other 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. 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.

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 there is already a Canadian SKA Scientist at the institution I want to attend, or 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.

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
• Computing and other equipment
• Other research costs

The details and breakdown of these items are negotiated by the successful Canadian SKA Scientist with their host institution.