JWST Scientist – JNIS-2

The National Research Council of Canada is seeking a single Instrument Scientist to provide scientific support for the Near Infrared Imager and Slitless Spectrograph (NIRISS) aboard the James Webb Space Telescope, with the role centered on contributing to the development of the ground system at the JWST Science and Operations Center. The position requires a highly specialized expert with a PhD in Astronomy, Astrophysics, or Physics, along with a minimum of seven years of post-doctoral experience in astrophysics research or telescope operations support, and extensive hands-on knowledge of at least one NIRISS science mode and deep familiarity with JWST operations, software, and user tools. The contract, valued between CAD 400,000 and CAD 450,000, plus up to CAD 15,000 annually for travel and publication expenses, will span twenty-one months from July 1, 2026, to March 31, 2028, with the option to extend for two additional one-year periods. All work is to be performed from British Columbia, Canada, despite the instrument's operational base at the Space Telescope Science Institute in Baltimore. The award will be made on a sole-source basis due to the absence of competition for technical reasons, with selection based solely on the verification of mandatory pass/fail criteria through a Statement of Capabilities, which must be submitted by June 30, 2026. Ownership of any foreground intellectual property generated under the contract vests with the contractor, and the solicitation is justified under multiple international trade agreements, including CETA, CCFTA, and others, based on the need to protect intellectual property or due to technical exclusivity. Deliverables include a work plan due July 7, 2026, monthly progress reports, white papers submitted prior to publication, and a final report at contract closure, with no additional inspection or acceptance criteria specified beyond these deliverables.