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In continuous permafrost environments, permanently unfrozen ground beneath large lakes or deep lakes (sublacustrine open taliks) can provide pathways for hydrological interactions between the surface and subsurface. Mining operations in the vicinity of these unfrozen soils entail significant complications (e.g. management of hypersaline groundwater flows). Lack of knowledge on coupled groundwater flow with heat flux and mass transport (deep brines) in these systems exacerbates water management problems in the north. This research aims to improve knowledge of permafrost-groundwater systems in underground mining contexts, ultimately by modelling the effects of underground operations on cryo-hydrogeological processes.
The proposed research builds upon our GEM-GeoNorth-funded project (2022-2025) entitled “Talik mapping and conceptual models of subpermafrost groundwater-surface connectivity to inform decisions about mine development facilities”. This project developed a cryo-hydrogeological conceptual model of the study area in a pre-mining context.
In the proposed project, the first objective will focus on 2D cryo-hydrogeological numerical simulations (in cross-section) to evaluate 1) coupled processes of flow, heat and mass transport (brines) in sublacustrine open taliks, including processes associated with the presence of permafrost, and 2) the effects of fractured rock and faults on groundwater flow. The second objective will be to simulate the same processes in 3D under the influence of underground mining operations and/or climate change. The modelling will include all processes relevant to the Meliadine mine, including: coupled groundwater flow with variable density, mass and heat transport with freeze/thaw, as well as the effects of lowering water levels due to underground mining operations.
With the support of supervisors and research associates, the candidate will publish results and interpretations in public reports and peer-reviewed scientific journals, and give oral and/or poster presentations at scientific, government or industry conferences.
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The intention is to staff a Master student position in Earth Sciences on cryo-hydrogeological modelling of the talik system at the Meliadine mine, Nunavut.
Positions to be filled: 1
Your résumé.
A covering letter "A covering letter indicating the areas of research in which you have knowledge and/or experience."
Contact information for 2 references.
English or French
Information on language requirements
Essential Education:
• The candidate must currently have a BSc in Earth Sciences or equivalent from a recognized Canadian or foreign university.
• The candidate must demonstrate his/her motivation on pursuing graduate studies.
Experience:
• Experience in hydrogeology and numerical modelling*.
• Experience relevant to the acquisition, organization and analysis of geological data in a Geographic Information System (GIS) and 3D modelling environment.
*For the recruitment of students in the federal public service, experience may be acquired through studies, work experience or volunteer activities.
Knowledge:
• Knowledge of scientific concepts in geology, hydrogeology and permafrost.
• Knowledge in numerical modelling and programming, or an exceptional interest and motivation for numerical modelling.
Abilities:
• Ability to work in a research laboratory and in the field in remote areas.
• Ability to work alone and in a team.
• Ability to communicate effectively within the team and with industrial, academic and governmental partners.
• Ability to communicate results effectively with the public.
Personal suitabilities:
• Motivation and dynamism
• Autonomy and proactivity
• Integrity and professionalism
Selection may be limited to members of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women
Information on employment equity
• Reliability Status security clearance - NOTE: Each student hired through the Research Affiliate Program (RAP) must meet the security requirements of the position as a condition of employment.
Therefore, the student will be asked by the hiring organization to complete security-related documents.
• The student will need to be enrolled to the Interuniversity M.Sc. program in Earth Sciences at Université Laval (Québec, QC, Canada). and registered for the Summer 2025 term.
• The student must be ready to do regular laboratory work and fieldwork in remote areas as requested by the project supervisors.
• In addition to the program courses, the student must take a mandatory course in health and safety in remote regions before carrying out field work.
The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply.
Information on employment equity
We thank all applicants for their interest in our position(s). For the purpose of this staffing process, only candidates selected for further assessment will be contacted.
Successful completion of both a RAP work assignment and your educational program may lead to a temporary or permanent federal public service position for which you meet the merit criteria and conditions of employment.
For this selection process, it is our intention to communicate with candidates via email. Candidates must include a valid email address in their application. It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure that this address is functional and that it accepts messages from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email).
A written examination may be administered.
An interview may be administered.
Reference may be sought.
You must provide proof of your education credentials and transcript.
Candidates with foreign credentials must provide proof of Canadian equivalency. Consult the Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials for further information at http://www.cicic.ca/.
Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice.
You must indicate on your application if you require a technical aid for testing or an alternative method of assessment.
Candidates from outside the public service may be required to pay for travel and relocation costs associated with this selection process.
We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.