Defence Scientist/Underwater Warfare

Important messages

We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please use the Contact information below to request special accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Information on accommodation for persons with disabilities

A written examination may be administered.

An interview may be administered.

Reference checks may be sought.

Candidates must meet the essential qualifications to be appointed to a position.

Candidates may be required to meet the asset qualifications or the organizational needs, depending on the requirements of the specific position being staffed.

Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice. Applicants are asked to indicate their preferred official language in their application.

Duties

The successful candidates will develop expertise, create knowledge and conduct research in support of the Canadian Armed Forces. This may include theoretical development, experimental activities in a laboratory, field or sea trial setting, data collection, analysis and modelling. The candidates will also provide scientific consulting services to the Canadian Armed Forces.

The successful candidates will report their research results through reports, peer-reviewed journal papers, conference papers, verbal presentations and briefings. They will monitor worldwide developments in science and technology in order to identify and assess trends in their field. They will also be involved in formulating, implementing and leading research projects and manage contracts with industry.

In carrying out the research program, the successful candidates will supervise and provide guidance to technical staff and students. They will also participate in national and international scientific meetings and conferences.

DRDC is seeking candidates for six Defence Scientist (DS) positions in the Underwater Warfare (UWW) domain. The positions are within the following four Streams:

Stream 1 – Acoustic Environment Modelling: Advance the understanding of the underwater acoustic environment under various oceanographic conditions through modelling and prediction of transmission loss, scattering and reverberation.

Stream 2 – Acoustic Sensing for UWW: Advance the science and technology of active and passive sonar for tactical and surveillance applications in all ocean environments including detection of naval mines and submarines.

Stream 3 – Acoustic Underwater Communications: Advance the science and technology of acoustic underwater communications with emphasis on low frequency, long range, secure communication.

Stream 4 – Electromagnetic Sensing for UWW: Advance the science and technology of airborne and/or underwater electromagnetic sensing of submarines and mines.

Intent of the process

The intent of this process is to staff six positions on an indeterminate basis in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia. However, a pool of qualified candidates will be created and may be used to staff similar positions with various tenures (casual, term and indeterminate), linguistic requirements and security requirements within DND.

Positions to be filled: 6

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter in 9,999 words (maximum) "You will be required to show how you demonstrate the essential qualifications and asset qualifications (i.e. Education and Experience) for the initial screening through your resume and cover letter. Please use the wording of each qualification (Essential qualifications) as a header, and then explain in one (1) or two (2) paragraphs, how, where and when (month/year to month/year) you obtained the experience. The resume will be considered a secondary source which could be used to validate the education and experience described in the cover letter. It is not sufficient to only state, in your Cover Letter, that the qualifications are met or to provide a listing of current or past responsibilities. Rather you must provide concrete examples, which illustrate how you meet each essential qualifications. Failure to provide the above information in the format required may result in your application being rejected from the process."

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

Education - Required for All Positions:

ED1 - Graduation with a Master’s degree (or completion of courses/thesis and awaiting convocation) from a recognized university in physics, engineering physics, geophysics, oceanography or electrical engineering.

Degree equivalency

Experience All Streams

EX1 - Experience designing and executing scientific experiments including data acquisition and data analysis.
EX2 - Experience formulating and executing a research project to completion.
EX3 - Experience publishing scientific research.

Experience Stream 1 - Acoustic Environment Modelling

S1EX1 - Experience in wave propagation theory and modelling (e.g. transmission loss, absorption, scattering, boundary interactions)
S1EX2 - Experience in characterizing the environment and in experimental techniques to characterize wave propagation.

Experience Stream 2 - Acoustic Sensing

S2EX1 - Experience in application or development of active or passive sensing concepts in the acoustic, seismic or electromagnetic domains.
S2EX2 - Experience in wave propagation modeling (transmission loss, absorption, scattering, boundary interactions)
S3EX3 - Experience with active or passive sensing techniques in the acoustic, seismic or electromagnetic domains.

Experience Stream 3 – Acoustic Underwater Communications

S3EX1 - Experience in application or development of a communication system.
S3EX2 - Experience with channel characterization concepts and techniques to predict communication performance.
S3EX3 - Experience with experimental techniques and metrics to characterize communication performance.

Experience Stream 4 – Electromagnetic Sensing

S4EX1 - Experience in application or development of electric, magnetic or electromagnetic sensing techniques.
S4EX2 - Experience mitigating the effects of natural and anthropogenic electromagnetic noise on electromagnetic sensing.

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge Stream 2 - Acoustic Sensing

S2K1 - Knowledge of signal processing techniques relevant to acoustic sensing (e.g. Fourier analysis, correlation techniques, classification techniques)

Knowledge Stream 3 – Acoustic Underwater Communications

S3K1 - Knowledge of communication theory (e.g. channel models, modulation methods, equalization, error-detecting and correcting codes).

Knowledge Stream 4 – Electromagnetic Sensing

S4K1 - Knowledge of electromagnetic theory (e.g. Maxwell’s equations, interaction with matter).

Personal Suitability

PS1 - Dependability
PS2 - Initiative
PS3 - Adaptability
PS4 - Judgement
PS5 - Leadership
PS6 - Creativity

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

Asset Education – For All Positions:

AED1 - Graduation with a PhD (or completion of courses/thesis and awaiting convocation) from a recognized university in physics, engineering physics, geophysics, oceanography or electrical engineering.

Degree equivalency

Asset Experience – For All Positions

AEX1 - Experience conducting or participating in field or sea trials.
AEX2 - Experience in development of algorithms or software for data processing, engineering or scientific purposes.
AEX3 - Experience leading and or working as part of a multi-disciplinary research team.
AEX4 - Experience undertaking research on behalf of and reporting results and recommendations to clients (industrial, commercial, government etc.).
AEX5 - Experience developing partnerships with research organizations for collaboration.
AEX6 - Experience preparing statements of requirement for research to be delivered by contract.
AEX7 - Experience working in a project management environment.
AEX8 - Experience working with the military or in performing research for defense applications.
AEX9 - Experience in scientific leadership roles.

Asset Experience Stream 1 - Acoustic Modelling:

AS1EX1 - Experience in application or development of acoustic and/or seismic propagation models.

Asset Experience Stream 2 - Acoustic Sensing

AS2EX1 - Experience developing system-level concepts for ASW or NMCM

Asset Exeperience Stream 3 – Acoustic Underwater Communications

AS3EX1 - Experience in application or development of acoustic and/or seismic propagation models.

Asset Merit Criteria for Stream 4 – Electromagnetic Sensing

AS4EX1 - Experience in electromagnetic wave propagation modelling
AS4EX2 - Experience analyzing sensor data acquired on aerial or marine vehicles.

Asset Knowldge – For All Positions:

AK1 - Knowledge of military client needs (particularly the Royal Canadian Navy), defence scientific programs, or current defence technology.

Asset Knowledge Stream 1 - Acoustic Modelling:

AS1K1 - Knowledge of acoustic and/or seismic propagation modelling.
AS1K2 - Knowledge of acoustic and/or seismic sensing techniques.
AS1K3 - Knowledge of the impact of the ocean environment on underwater acoustics.

Asset Knowledge Stream 2 - Acoustic Sensing:

AS2K1 - Knowledge of sonar techniques such as Pulsed Active Sonar (PAS) and Continuous Active Sonar (CAS).
AS2K2 - Knowledge of the impact of the ocean environment on sonar performance.

Asset Knowledge Stream 3 – Acoustic Underwater Communications:

AS3K1 - Knowledge of underwater acoustic sensing and communication techniques.
AS3K2 - Knowledge of the impact of the ocean environment on the acoustic communication channel.

Asset Knowledge Stream 4 – Electromagnetic Sensing:

AS4K1 - Knowledge of signal processing and data analysis methods for electric, magnetic or electromagnetic sensing applications.
AS4K2 - Knowledge of sensor integration and operation on host platform.

Organization Needs

Candidates must meet each essential qualification to be appointed to a position. A candidate may be appointed to a position even though he/she does not meet any or all of the asset qualifications, operational requirements or organizational needs. However, meeting these criteria is desirable and may be a deciding factor in choosing the person to be appointed. In the event that there are as many candidates who meet the essential qualifications as there are vacancies, the manager may decide not to assess some or all of the asset qualifications, operational requirements or organizational needs.

Operational Requirements

• May be required to work in confined spaces.
• May be required to work outside in adverse conditions.
• Adheres to safety procedures including wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) appropriate to the task being performed.
• May be required to conduct scientific fieldwork onboard naval platforms and other vessels or in remote locations such as the Canadian Arctic.

Conditions of employment

Secret security clearance - Candidates must meet and maintain the conditions of employment throughout their employment.

• Ability and willingness to travel nationally and internationally.
• Pre-placement medical
• Willingness to work overtime as required.

Other information

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the targeted groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans and to Canadian citizens, in that order.

Information on the preference to veterans

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.