Physicist

Based in Richmond, BC, on the beautiful west coast of Canada, Ideon Technologies uses the energy from supernova explosions to image down to 1km beneath the Earth’s surface. A spin-off from TRIUMF (Canada’s particle physics lab), Ideon is a world pioneer in cosmic-ray muon tomography. The team developed a subsurface intelligence platform that integrates proprietary detectors, imaging systems, inversion technologies, and artificial intelligence to provide x-ray-like visibility underground. By transforming muon data into reliable 3D density maps, Ideon helps geologists identify, characterize, and monitor mineral deposits with confidence. This reduces risk and cost of traditional methods, while saving time, optimizing return, and minimizing environmental impact across the mining value chain. In turn, this is helping accelerate the world’s transition to low- impact mining and transform how companies find the critical minerals required to power the global shift to clean energy.

The Role

We are seeking a Physicist who will work as part of our research and development team to brainstorm, develop, and refine solutions that make up our subsurface intelligence platform. You will work on refining our current suite of systems, but also on developing new cutting-edge technologies so that we can expand what we offer to our customers.

You will report to the Principal Physicist and focus on the following activities:

• Design and execute experiments in the lab which will drive the design and development of our technology platform
• Contribute to the design and implementation of new sensors
• Characterize detector performance, including resolution, efficiency, and other performance metrics
• Develop and maintain Python and C++ code in Linux for Monte Carlo simulation (e.g. Geant4), data inversion, detector performance analysis and hardware design optimization.
• Analyze and interpret muon data from lab and field deployments, and troubleshoot issues across the hardware, firmware and software chain.
• Advise manufacturing and engineering so our hardware always meets or exceeds its core sensing requirements.
• Document results meticulously and contribute to patents, technical reports and, where appropriate, publications.

Priorities in the first few months will include:

• Familiarizing yourself with our current technology platform to be able to effectively troubleshoot and correct issues
• Performing lab tests that will drive the design of our next-generation detectors

Success in the role looks like/Outcomes we are looking for include:

• You actively contribute to the development of our technology platform through design, simulation, and testing
• You provide in-depth advice to the manufacturing and engineering teams to ensure that our hardware always meets or exceeds core sensing capabilities to provide high quality, useful data that supports our customer solutions.

Qualifications

Must-haves – You’ll need the following to move forward in the hiring process (and be successful in the role).

• Degree in physics or equivalent, preferably PhD, but MSc degree combined with rich experience and skillset will also be considered
• Solid understanding of subatomic particles, as well as electromagnetic theory
• Expert-level skills and experience with object-oriented coding in Python including with NumPy, Matplotlib, Pandas, SciPy libraries
• Minimum intermediate-level experience with Linux, very familiar with shell scripting (Bash, zsh, or other)
• Minimum intermediate-level experience programming with C++
• Experience setting up experiments to test research hypotheses
• Familiarity using oscilloscopes, signal generators, and similar electronic lab equipment
• Attention to detail and meticulous documentation of experiment outcomes
• Well-developed communication skills in English at a fluent or professional level; able to be assertive and respectful
• Legally able and currently documented to work full time hours in Canada
  
  

We also look for the following for all new Ideon team members:

• Experience or excitement for working in a tech scale-up; happy to wear a few hats and learn on the fly
• A can-do attitude and creative solutioning mindset with great problem-solving skills
• Willingness to learn, be adaptable, and take initiative in an ever-evolving environment
• Able to work well under pressure and to meet scheduled deadlines
• Able to uncover and present options for improvement and streamlining
• Solid teamwork skills; you’ll jump in to help where you can 
• Great interpersonal skills; able to build relationships with colleagues, customers, and external stakeholders
• Interest in or knowledge of the mining industry or geosciences field
• Able to add something “extra” to our culture beyond the work that you do (maybe you like to wow people with your home-baked goods, display wicked improv skills, organize and play in post-work sports games, or educate us on hydroponic gardening)

Nice-to-haves – While it would be nice if you had some of the below, we’re happy to train, coach and share our experience.

• Direct experience with muon detection, cosmic-ray physics or muon tomography.
• Experience with scintillator, photodetector (e.g. SiPM) or gaseous tracking detectors.
• Experience with embedded systems (microcontrollers, FPGAs and ASICs) and basics of firmware code
• Hands-on experience working with electronics, including PCB troubleshooting, soldering, and testing
• Some training in health & safety, i.e. first aid, WHMIS
• Some experience in a tech start-up or the mining industry

Job Requirements

Location: Our office is located at #150 - 4611 Viking Way, in Richmond, BC, Canada. Lots of free parking is available and a bus stop is one block away.

Ideon is a hybrid workplace, with some roles needing to work fully in office for obvious reasons (it’s tricky to manufacture from home!).

This Physicist role is primarily an in-office role, with the option for remote work in consultation with the team. Our “be an adult” approach means you have the flexibility to determine your in-office schedule while factoring in the impact of face-to-face connection and communication with your leader and teammates.

Hours of work: 8 hours/day, Monday to Friday. Our typical working hours are 9AM-5PM Pacific Standard Time; some employees shift slightly earlier or later based on business and personal needs. You may occasionally be asked to be flexible with your hours due to business requirements.

What We Offer

Salary: The annual salary range for this role, in Canadian dollars, is $95,000-130,000.

Ideon’s salary ranges are determined by role, level, and location. Vancouver, BC, Canada is the market we have benchmarked against. The range reflects the minimum and maximum new employee salary. It is not typical for a new employee to be hired at the top of the range; as experienced as someone may be they likely won’t have the directly applicable experience unique to working at Ideon. In exceptional circumstances, though, where a candidate has the knowledge, skills, and experience to far exceed those needed for the position, we could consider compensating at the top of the range. In the application process you will be asked to provide your salary expectations. If you move forward in the hiring process, in our initial conversation we’ll also clarify expectations and provide additional info on what Ideon’s total compensation package includes.

• An opportunity to work with a dynamic technology scale-up. You will be working to advance a ground-breaking solution that generates significant economic and environmental benefit.
• A team that is entrepreneurial by nature, mission-driven, and focused on doing things right to deliver great customer outcomes. We are committed to seeking out the best brains and the most exceptional humans, wherever they come from and however they happen to be packaged.
• Early equity option allocations upon hire plus the opportunity to earn performance-based option allocations annually.
• Accreditation and tuition support.
• Extended health and dental benefits, an employee assistance program, and a health/wellness spending account to cover things that may not fall into other categories (i.e. exercise classes, transit, daycare).
• An annual paid closure between the Christmas and New Year’s stat holidays, in addition to vacation time.
• Parental leave top-up.
• Employee referral bonus.
• Casual dress – we like our jeans and hoodies.
• While we work hard we also sprinkle social events and learning opportunities into our days.
• Free parking.
• Tasty snacks in our office!

What It’s Like Here

Great ideas and rich company culture come from diversity of thought, experience, and perspective. The Ideon culture is anchored in a set of core values that directly shape how we hire, coach, evaluate, and develop our people:

Driven by industry, informed by science

We solve industry problems with scientific rigour: listening carefully, analyzing the data, and developing solutions that our clients – and the planet – cannot live without.

Inspired to create, wired to deliver

We’re imaginative, creating new possibilities and embracing the diversity of thought and experience within our team to move with urgency, learn from our failures, and execute masterfully.

Unified team, personally accountable

We have each other’s backs and operate with integrity, respect, and empathy. Success depends on leaving egos at the door, celebrating our differences, delivering promises, and owning the outcome together.

Boldly ambitious, exceptionally human

We think big and have the courage to blaze new trails. We’re in this business to win, but that doesn’t mean we compromise on doing the right thing for our people, our clients, and our world.

How to Apply and Accommodation Requests

To be considered for this role, please apply via our hiring platform, Collage. The process is fairly quick; we won’t ask you to re-type everything already on your resumé – promise! While optional, cover letters help us learn more about you beyond what’s on your resumé (and help us understand what you’re looking for, role or industry shifts, employment gaps, etc.). PDF files display the best and are most appreciated.

We aim to provide an approachable and accessible hiring process for every candidate. If there are accommodations our team can make so you can show up as your best self, please let us know in your application.