{"id":3732810,"url":"https://alion.io/job/simon-fraser-university-technical-research-scientist","title":"Technical Research Scientist","company":{"id":17036,"name":"Simon Fraser University","domain":"sfu.ca","url":"https://alion.io/company/simon-fraser-university","size_band":null,"is_staffing_agency":false,"employer_type":"direct","is_intermediary":false,"listed_via":null,"ats_vendor":"Career site","truth_index":null},"role":"AI/ML","role_family":"AI/ML","seniority":"junior","employment_type":null,"work_mode":"hybrid","remote_scope":null,"remote_scope_basis":null,"remote_working_hours":null,"hiring_geo_confidence":"inferred","locations":[],"countries":[],"hiring_countries":[],"hiring_countries_total":0,"salary":null,"salary_estimate":null,"experience_years_min":2,"visa_sponsorship":false,"relocation_package":false,"has_equity":false,"technologies":[{"name":"MATLAB","optional":false},{"name":"Python","optional":false}],"status":"live","first_seen_at":"2026-10-21T16:47:52Z","employer_posted_date":"2026-11-04","last_verified_at":"2026-11-11T15:18:33Z","board_verified":true,"closed_at":null,"days_open":20,"trust":{"level":"ok","repost_count":null,"flags":[],"days_open":20},"description":"Who We Are\nSimon Fraser University is a leading research university, advancing an inclusive and sustainable future. Our purpose - the essence of SFU - is to create and connect knowledge, learning and community for deeper understanding and meaningful impact. We are committed to fostering excellence, innovation, belonging and community in all that we do.\nIn support of the Jennewein and Higginbottom Laboratories at Simon Fraser University (SFU), we are seeking 2 highly skilled Technical Research Scientists to support the development, deployment, and operation of the Vancouver Quantum Network (QVan) - a metropolitan-scale quantum communications testbed connecting research, industry, and government partners across British Columbia. \nQVan will establish a dual use demonstration platform integrating fibre based and satellite enabled quantum communication technologies to validate quantum secure communications, quantum key distribution (QKD), distributed quantum computing, and quantum sensing. This position will be central to designing, integrating, and validating network hardware, coordinating multi partner activities, and advancing SFU’s leadership in national quantum networking infrastructure.\nAbout the Role\nOn behalf of the Jennewein and Higginbottom Laboratories at Simon Fraser University (SFU) , Research Operations is seeking highly skilled Technical Research Scientists to support the development, deployment, and operation of the Vancouver Quantum Network (QVan) - a metropolitan-scale quantum communications testbed connecting research, industry, and government partners across British Columbia.\nQVan will establish a dual-use demonstration platform integrating fibre-based and satellite-enabled quantum communication technologies to validate quantum-secure communications, quantum key distribution (QKD), distributed quantum computing, and quantum sensing. This position will be central to designing, integrating, and validating network hardware, coordinating multi-partner activities, and advancing SFU’s leadership in national quantum networking infrastructure.\nThis role is intended for a postdoctoral-level researcher or industry-experienced engineer, ideally with strong hands-on expertise in quantum optics, telecom systems, and/or experimental quantum networking.\nRequired Qualifications\nPhD in Physics, Engineering, Quantum Information, Photonics, Optical Telecommunications, or a closely related field\nDemonstrated hands-on experience in at least one of the following:\nQuantum optics or entangled-photon/quantum light sources\nQKD or quantum communication systems\nStrong experimental skills and experience working in advanced laboratory environments.\nProficiency in data acquisition, analysis, and automation (e.g., Python, MATLAB).\nExcellent communication, documentation, and collaboration abilities.\n\nPreferred Qualifications\nPostdoctoral experience or 2+ years in a relevant telecommunications or quantum-technology industry role\nExperience working with external industry, government, or multi institution collaborators.\nFamiliarity with satellite based QKD interfaces or hybrid (fibre + free space) quantum links.\nExperience in system integration, network deployment, or field demonstrations.\nBackground in project coordination or technical leadership.\n\nKey Responsibilities\n1. Quantum Network Design, Integration & Operation\nContribute to the architectural design, deployment, and operation of the Vancouver Quantum Network (QVan) connecting SFU’s Burnaby and Vancouver campuses with partner sites.\nIntegrate quantum hardware, including entangled photon sources, single-photon detectors, quantum memories, and satellite-QKD interfaces, with classical and dark-fibre telecom infrastructure.\nSupport the evaluation of QKD, quantum-secure communication protocols, and distributed quantum computing demonstrations under real-world conditions.\n2. Experimental Photonics & Quantum Optics\nAssemble, test, and maintain experimental systems involving fibre-optic and free-space photonic components used across the Jennewein and Higginbottom Labs.\nCharacterize photonic sources and detectors\nDevelop and implement measurement procedures, calibration routines, and automation scripts for stable long-term network operation.\n3. System Engineering & Interoperability Testing\nSupport real-world validation of interoperability across multi-vendor quantum and classical networking equipment.\nDevelop and maintain documentation, testing frameworks, and operational protocols for QVan infrastructure.\nTroubleshoot system performance and assist with iterative design improvements.\n4. Partner Engagement & Project Coordination\nAct as a technical liaison with industry collaborators, government partners, Canadian SMEs, and research institutions participating in QVan.\nContribute to project planning, milestone tracking, and reporting requirements associated with PacifiCan-funded activities.\nSupport technology transfer, partner onboarding, and dissemination of system performance data and benchmarks.\nEngagement with standards efforts in Canada and internationally related to quantum internet and quantum secure communications\nFull Job Description\nWhat We Offer\nAt SFU, our goal is to ensure our people are valued and supported by promoting a healthy work-life balance, professional growth and development, as well as a safe and respectful workplace. We offer temporary employees who belong in the Administrative & Professional Staff Association (APSA):\nAn additional 7% pay in lieu of benefits & 8% vacation pay\nEmployer paid extended health & dental plans\nProfessional development funds (minimum contract period of 1 year)\nHybrid-work program for eligible positions\nAdditional Information\nThe assignment end date is March 31, 2028\nPlease include your cover letter and resume in one attachment.\nSFU is an equity employer and strongly encourages applications from all qualified individuals including women, Indigenous Peoples, visible minorities, people of all sexual orientations and gender identities, persons with disabilities, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of the university.\nWe are committed to ensuring that the application and interview process is accessible to all applicants. If you require any assistance or accommodations, please contact .","description_format":"text","description_chars":6322,"description_truncated":false,"requirements":{"experience_years_min":2,"management_years_min":null,"team_size_min":null,"manages_managers":false,"education":{"level":"phd","optional":false},"security_clearance":false,"languages":[]},"benefits":["Equity","Professional development"],"hiring_locations":[],"hiring_excludes":[],"relocation_offered":false,"industries":["Education","Books","Higher Education"],"lifecycle":[{"event":"open","at":"2026-11-04T08:56:16Z"}],"visa":[],"liveness":{"score":63,"band":"ok","label":"Likely open","p_open":1,"p_active":0.84,"p_room":0.75,"age_days":20,"expected_fill_days":23,"reasons":["seen:6","velocity","win:late","comp:junior"],"computed_at":"2026-11-11T05:49:22Z"},"pay":null,"html_url":"https://alion.io/job/simon-fraser-university-technical-research-scientist","json_url":"https://alion.io/job/simon-fraser-university-technical-research-scientist.json","meta":{"generated_at":"2026-11-11T15:58:25Z","cache_seconds":300,"methodology":"https://alion.io/methodology","terms":"https://alion.io/terms","contact":"https://alion.io/contact","api":"https://alion.io/developers","about":"Alion is a live layer of people, companies and AI agents: who they are, whether they are real and active right now, what they do and how to work with them, readable by people and by agents and paid per call.","catalog":"https://alion.io/catalog.json","usage":{"tier":"crawler_verified","counted_by":"address","units_charged":1,"used_today":29954,"day_limit":null,"remaining_today":null,"minute_limit":300,"resets_at":"2026-11-12T00:00:00Z"}},"offers":[{"id":"company.slices","title":"One company in depth, by slice","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.1,"usd":0.01,"plus_per_slice":{"credits":0.05,"usd":0.005}},"unit":"per company, plus each slice with data","note":"the employer in depth","call":{"mcp_tool":"get_company","arguments":{"id":17036},"rest":"https://alion.io/mcp/rest/get_company?id=17036"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.slices&for=job%2Fsimon-fraser-university-technical-research-scientist"},{"id":"market.stats","title":"A market slice: pay, demand and time to fill","status":"live","price":{"credits":2,"usd":0.2},"unit":"per slice","note":"pay, demand and time to fill for this role and place","call":{"mcp_tool":"market_stats"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=market.stats&for=job%2Fsimon-fraser-university-technical-research-scientist"},{"id":"job.search","title":"Open jobs by role, technology, place, pay and visa","status":"live","price":{"credits":0.1,"usd":0.01},"unit":"per posting in a list","note":"similar open postings","call":{"mcp_tool":"search_jobs"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=job.search&for=job%2Fsimon-fraser-university-technical-research-scientist"},{"id":"company.verify","title":"Is this company real and active right now","status":"pilot","price":null,"unit":"per company","request":{"url":"https://alion.io/catalog/request","method":"POST","body":"{\"offer\": \"company.verify\", \"for\": \"job/simon-fraser-university-technical-research-scientist\", \"note\": \"what you need it for\"}"},"human":"https://alion.io/catalog?offer=company.verify&for=job%2Fsimon-fraser-university-technical-research-scientist"}],"agent":{"mcp":"https://alion.io/mcp/jobs","mcp_open":"https://alion.io/mcp/open","next":[{"tool":"get_job","arguments":{"id":3732810}},{"tool":"search_jobs","arguments":{"company":"sfu.ca","detail":"compact"}},{"tool":"match_people","arguments":{"job_id":3732810},"note":"people open to offers who fit this vacancy"}],"note":"The same data through MCP tools: https://alion.io/mcp/open needs no sign-in (compact searches, postings, people); https://alion.io/mcp with an Alion account has everything. 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