We are looking for a Research Officer with expertise in Radio Frequency (RF) systems, signal processing, and electromagnetic sensing and countermeasure technologies, with a focus on Counter-Unmanned Aircraft System (C-UAS) applications. The successful candidate will contribute to advancing Canada’s national capabilities in spectrum monitoring, interference mitigation, and drone detection technologies within the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) Aerospace Research Centre’s Drone and Flight Autonomy Lab.
This individual will share and demonstrate NRC’s core values of Integrity, Excellence, Respect, and Creativity.
The Centre for Drone Innovation, part of the NRC’s Drone and Flight Autonomy Lab, strengthens Canada’s ability to research, develop, test and validate advanced drone technologies. The Centre serves as a national hub supporting all stages of drone innovation—from design and simulation to prototype development, testing and qualification.
Facilities include:
- Drone hangar and operations centre with direct runway access;
- Technical laboratories;
- Indoor and outdoor flight test arenas;
- Secure research spaces for specialized projects.
The Drone Laboratory provides a controlled environment for spectrum characterization, RF algorithm development, countermeasure testing, and integration of C-UAS detect-and-identify systems. It supports research on RF sensing, direction-finding, and signal classification for UAS geolocation and protection.
Working with a multidisciplinary team of researchers, engineers, and partners, the Research Officer will:
- Assess and advance RF technologies for C‑UAS detection, identification, and mitigation.
- Conduct research in RF signal characterization, detection, classification, and interference management across the operational frequency spectrum.
- Develop and apply signal processing algorithms, spectrum monitoring techniques, and RF instrumentation workflows to enhance C‑UAS capabilities.
- Plan, commission, and operate RF infrastructure including spectrum analysis systems, software‑defined radios, direction‑finding arrays, and related measurement equipment.
- Collaborate with industry, government, and academic partners to develop and demonstrate innovative spectrum sensing and protection technologies.
- Manage project budgets, resources, and milestones to ensure timely delivery.
- Communicate research results through technical reports, presentations, and publications.
- Support technology integration, validation, and testing in laboratory and operational environments.
- Design and conduct RF characterization experiments using commercial and custom UAS platforms to expand a national UAS RF signal library.
