Simon Fraser University (SFU) in Canada is inviting qualified and motivated candidates to pursue graduate research through its Synthetic Aperture Radar Laboratory. The laboratory offers funded Master of Science (MSc) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) positions for candidates interested in remote sensing, programming, scientific research and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) technologies.
Successful MSc candidates receive two years of guaranteed funding, while PhD candidates receive four years of guaranteed funding. Research Assistantships start at CAD$28,000 per year for MSc students and CAD$32,000 per year for PhD students, with the possibility of increased funding after publication of the first research paper.
SFU MSc and PhD Positions: Funding Overview
The graduate opportunities are based at the Synthetic Aperture Radar Laboratory at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.
The laboratory provides:
- MSc: Two years of guaranteed funding.
- PhD: Four years of guaranteed funding.
- MSc Research Assistantship: Starting at CAD$28,000 per year.
- PhD Research Assistantship: Starting at CAD$32,000 per year.
- Funding may increase after the student publishes their first research paper.
- Additional funding of CAD$15,000 per year or more is generally available through the School of Engineering Science Graduate Fellowship and/or Teaching Assistantship.
- The additional fellowship or teaching assistantship amount alone is stated to be sufficient to cover tuition fees.
The combination of research assistantship and additional graduate funding can therefore provide substantial financial support throughout the programme.
Simon Fraser University (SFU) in Canada Funded MSc and PhD Positions 2026: Who Should Apply?
The laboratory is particularly interested in candidates with a strong academic and research profile in remote sensing and related areas.
Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate:
- A strong passion for research and a background in remote sensing.
- Solid programming abilities, particularly in C++ and Python.
- Strong scientific writing skills.
- High motivation to produce research that can lead to publishable results.
- Very good spoken and written English.
- A strong interest in developing advanced research within a collaborative academic environment.
The opportunity may be particularly suitable for graduates with backgrounds in remote sensing, engineering, computer science, geospatial technologies or related technical disciplines.
English Language Requirements
Applicants whose previous education does not meet Simon Fraser University’s applicable English-language requirements may need to provide an accepted English proficiency test.
The requirements listed by the laboratory include:
- TOEFL iBT: 93 overall, with at least 20 in each category.
- Paper-based TOEFL: 580, with a TWE score of 5.
- IELTS Academic: Overall score of 7.0, with at least 6.5 in each section.
Applicants should ensure that their test results satisfy the applicable university requirements before applying.
Simon Fraser University (SFU) in Canada Funded MSc and PhD Positions 2026: Research Opportunities and Facilities
Students joining the Synthetic Aperture Radar Laboratory can benefit from an advanced research environment and access to specialized resources.
One of the major advantages is access to RADARSAT-2 satellite data and other exclusive remote sensing datasets. This can provide graduate researchers with valuable resources for developing and testing research methods involving Earth observation and radar-based sensing.
The laboratory also provides access to high-quality technical equipment, including a high-powered experimental GPU server and its own airborne SAR sensor.
These resources can support computationally intensive research and practical experimentation in Synthetic Aperture Radar and remote sensing.
Creative Freedom and Research Collaboration
The positions also emphasize research independence. Graduate students are offered significant creative freedom to develop their research interests while receiving mentoring and supervision from experienced researchers.
There may also be opportunities to collaborate with researchers across different SFU departments and with researchers at other universities.
This interdisciplinary environment can be valuable for students seeking to develop research that connects remote sensing with engineering, computing, environmental applications and other fields.
Potential Collaboration with MDA
Another distinctive feature of the opportunity is the possibility of direct project-based collaboration with MDA.
Participation in relevant projects may give students exposure to industry-oriented research and professional networks. The laboratory notes that such collaboration could potentially contribute to future career opportunities.
How to Apply
Interested candidates should contact Prof. Bernhard Rabus by email.
Applicants are asked to submit:
- A current CV.
- Academic transcript.
- Cover letter.
The email address provided for inquiries and applications is [email protected].
Candidates should use their cover letter to clearly explain their research interests, relevant remote sensing experience, programming abilities and motivation for joining the laboratory. A well-prepared CV should highlight academic achievements, research projects, publications, technical skills and other experience relevant to the proposed graduate research.
Application Deadline
The information provided for the Synthetic Aperture Radar Laboratory does not specify a fixed application deadline. Prospective applicants should therefore contact Prof. Rabus directly to confirm current position availability, programme intake dates and any additional application requirements.
Candidates are encouraged to make contact early, particularly because funded graduate research positions can be competitive.
Why Consider These SFU Graduate Positions?
The SFU opportunities combine graduate study with substantial research and financial support. MSc candidates can receive two years of guaranteed funding, while PhD candidates can receive four years.
Beyond the Research Assistantship, students may generally receive additional fellowship or teaching assistantship funding of CAD$15,000 or more per year. They can also gain access to specialized SAR equipment, satellite datasets, GPU computing infrastructure and potential industry collaboration.
For graduates seeking to build an advanced research career in remote sensing, Synthetic Aperture Radar, programming and Earth observation, these positions offer an opportunity to pursue graduate studies within a well-equipped Canadian research laboratory.
