Geoscientist

Original government version here

Closing: 2025-12-10

Geoscientist - Research Affiliate Program

Natural Resources Canada - Energy Efficiency and Technology Sector - CanmetENERGY-Ottawa

Closing date: December 10, 2025 - 23:59, Pacific Time

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Reference number
RSN25J-040095-000630

Selection process number
2025-RSN-EA-EETS-660467

Location
Edmonton (Alberta), Ottawa (Ontario)

Salary
$29.64 to $38.38 per hour - It is expected the student will work approximately 20 hours per week from January 2026 to March 2027. The student will be paid approximately $29.64 to $38.38 per hour depending on the level of education and experience according to the Treasury Board student rates of pay.

Who can apply
Persons residing in Canada, and Canadian citizens and Permanent residents abroad.

Students enrolled or eligible to enroll in a (M.Sc. / Ph.D.) program at a (Canadian University/Specific University) with specialization in (list one or more) or other relevant specialization. Proof will be required before the start date.

To be considered for RAP opportunities, students must be:

1. Recognized as having full-time student status by the post-secondary academic institution at which they are presently enrolled OR be a part-time student who is recognized by their academic institution as a having a disability;

2. The minimum age to work in the province or territory where the job is located; AND

3. Enrolled in an academic program that requires research as part of their curriculum.

Organization information
For further information on the organization, please visit Natural Resources Canada.

About the position

Duties
CanmetENERGY-Ottawa is one of NRCan's energy reserach labs. The Subsurface Energy Group, which is part of the Carbon Management Technologies Group, investigates subsurface energy technologies, including geothermal energy. We are investigating a novel technology called CO2 Plume Geothermal (CPG) in which CO2 is used in place of brine in hot sedimentary aquifers as the thermal energy recovery fluid. The position involves conducting reservoir simulations of CPG to develop optimal development and production strategies that are sustainable and safe, and to understand reservoir behaviour (e.g. composition of produced fluids over time). The work is mostly desktop based but may involve analysis of rock samples to generate data to develop models.

Work environment
At Natural Resources Canada, a Federal government job means developing leadership skills, fostering teamwork, and supporting creativity and innovation. We know it takes people from diverse pools of talent to make this happen. That is why we are looking for people like you. As an employee at Natural Resources Canada you can enjoy diverse employment opportunities, a range of career development programs, and a learning culture that supports you to learn on an ongoing basis. We support balancing your work and private life by offering the benefits of flexible work arrangements.

Intent of the process
The intent of this selection process is to fill one student position.

Positions to be filled
1

Important messages
References: PhD supervisor and one other.

You need (essential for the job)

Your application must clearly explain how you meet the following

Education:
1. Graduation with an acceptable BSc, MSc, BEng, or MEng in Earth Sciences or Petroleum Engineering.
2. Currently enrolled or willing to enroll in the Geotechnical Engineering PhD program at the University of Alberta.

Note: Must be currently recognized as having full-time student status in the academic institution in which you are presently enrolled, pending approval of acceptance or in the process of submitting your application. Proof of enrollment will be required prior to start date and the student must be returning to full-time studies for your next academic term.

Learn more about degree equivalency.

Experience:
Reservoir modeling: Experience in the following related to reservoir development for oil and gas production, or CO2 storage, or geothermal energy:
• Developing geological models in sedimentary basin settings.
• Upscaling geological models using geostatistical and other methods.
• Testing and refining reservoir models using field data (i.e. history matching).
• Conducting coupled thermo-hydraulic-mechanical modeling of reservoir development.
• Developing mechanical earth models and simulating reservoir mechanical performance related to reservoir development.
• Experience using reservoir modeling programs such as those developed by Schlumberger and CMG.

Researching:
• Developing and conducting geological characterization testing programs.
• Conducting literature reviews.
• Analysing geological and reservoir development data from the lab and literature.

Writing:
• Preparing scientific reports and journal publications.

Presenting:
• Preparing and presenting scientific presentations.

Note: In the context of student recruitment in the Federal Public Service, the experience can be acquired through the studies, work experience, or volunteer activities.

Applied / assessed at a later date

Knowledge:
1. CO2 plume geothermal.
2. Fluid flow in porous media.
3. Western Canada Sedimentary Basin.
4. Geomechanics.
5. Petrophysics.
6. Borehole geophysical measurement methods and data interpretation.

Language requirements (essential for the job)

Applied / assessed at a later date

English essential

Learn more about language requirements.

Our commitment

We're committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please contact the hiring organization below to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Learn more about assessment accommodation.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the population it serves. We promote employment equity and encourage you to self-declare if you belong to one of the designated employment equity groups when you apply.

Learn more about diversity and inclusion in the public service.

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans first and then to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, with the exception of a job located in Nunavut, where Nunavut Inuit will be appointed first.

Learn more about preference to veterans.

How to apply

Learn more about applying for Government of Canada jobs.

Information you must provide

Your résumé
A cover letter
Contact information for 2 references
A list of the courses you have taken as well as any courses that you are taking now, or that you will be taking this academic year

We'd like to thank all those who apply. However, only the people selected for further consideration will be contacted.

Hiring organization contact

Name: Maya Crisostomo - Human Resources Advisor
Email address: