CanadaThe SAR Lab Graduate Research Assistantship 2026 in Canada provides fully funded opportunities for Master’s and Doctoral students to conduct research in remote sensing and synthetic aperture radar at Simon Fraser University. This program offers competitive funding, access to exclusive datasets, and mentorship under Prof. Bernhard Rabus, focusing on innovative applications in geophysics and engineering.
Simon Fraser University’s Synthetic Aperture Radar Laboratory (SAR Lab) is a leading research group specializing in remote sensing methods and applications. Hosted within the School of Engineering Science, the lab provides state-of-the-art equipment and fosters interdisciplinary collaborations across departments and with industry partners like MDA.
SAR Lab Graduate Research Assistantship Benefits
- Highly competitive 4-year funded Research Assistantship (RA) starting at CAD$20,000/yr (MSc) / CAD$24,000/yr (PhD) and increasing up to CAD$25,000/yr (MSc) / CAD$30,000/yr (PhD) e.g., after publishing a first paper.
- Through the School of Engineering Science’s Graduate Fellowship (GF) and/or Teaching Assistantship Program (TA), applicants generally receive an additional CAD$13,000/yr or more (this additional amount alone is sufficient to cover tuition fees).
- Exceptional creative freedom in research and potential collaborations across SFU departments and other universities.
- Free access to all RADARSAT-2 satellite data and many other exclusive remote sensing data sets.
- Top-notch equipment such as a high-powered experimental GPU server and our own airborne SAR sensor.
- Passionate mentoring and supervision.
- Optional: direct project based collaboration with MDA, with the potential of future career possibility.
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SAR Lab Graduate Research Assistantship Eligibility Criteria
- Passionate research interest and a background in remote sensing.
- Solid programming skills (including C++ and Python).
- Strong scientific writing skills and high motivation to produce publishable results.
- A very good command of English, both spoken and written. Internet-based TOEFL (93 with minimum of 20 in each category), Paper-based TOEFL (580 and TWE 5), IELTS academic (overall band score of 7.0 of the academic (NOT general) test with a minimum of 6.5 in each section).
Which Fields are Eligible?
- Remote Sensing
- Physics
- Geophysics
- Engineering (and related fields)
Required Documents
- CV
- Academic transcript
- Cover letter
How to Apply for SAR Lab Graduate Research Assistantship?
- Send an e-mail inquiry to Prof. Bernhard Rabus (btrabus@sfu.ca).
- Include your CV, academic transcript and cover letter.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are the most frequently asked questions about the SAR Lab Graduate Research Assistantship 2026 in Canada. These answers cover eligibility, benefits, deadlines, and how to apply based on the official program information.
What is the SAR Lab Graduate Research Assistantship?
The SAR Lab Graduate Research Assistantship is a fully funded research opportunity for Master’s and PhD students at Simon Fraser University’s Synthetic Aperture Radar Laboratory. It provides competitive funding, mentorship, and access to remote sensing resources for studies in fields like geophysics and engineering.
What are the funding benefits?
Benefits include a Research Assistantship starting at CAD$20,000/yr for MSc and CAD$24,000/yr for PhD, potentially increasing to CAD$25,000/yr and CAD$30,000/yr. Additional funding through Graduate Fellowship or Teaching Assistantship covers tuition fees, along with access to RADARSAT-2 data and advanced equipment.
Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants must have a passionate research interest in remote sensing, solid programming skills in C++ and Python, strong scientific writing skills, and proficiency in English with TOEFL or IELTS scores as specified. A background in remote sensing is encouraged.
How do I apply for this assistantship?
To apply, send an email inquiry to Prof. Bernhard Rabus at btrabus@sfu.ca, including your CV, academic transcript, and cover letter. No formal deadline is specified; applications are ongoing.
What is the application deadline?
The official site does not specify a deadline; applications are accepted on an ongoing basis. Refer to the program page for any updates.
What study levels are supported?
This assistantship supports both Master’s and Doctoral (PhD) level studies, focusing on research in remote sensing and related fields at Simon Fraser University.
Where will the scholarship be taken?
The scholarship will be taken at Simon Fraser University (SFU) in Canada, specifically within the Synthetic Aperture Radar Laboratory (SAR Lab) under the School of Engineering Science.
What research areas are covered?
Research areas include remote sensing, synthetic aperture radar methods, maritime applications, land applications using interferometric and polarimetric time series analysis, and collaborations with departments and industry partners like MDA.
Are there any additional opportunities?
Yes, opportunities include creative freedom in research, collaborations across SFU departments and other universities, access to exclusive datasets, top-notch equipment like GPU servers, and potential career possibilities through collaboration with MDA.
What documents are required for application?
Required documents include a CV, academic transcript, and cover letter. These should be sent via email to Prof. Bernhard Rabus as part of the inquiry process.
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