About the position
DutiesThe Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) is seeking a highly motivated PhD student from a Canadian university with an interest in economic geology, igneous petrology, isotope geochemistry, or a related field.
The Superior Province hosts numerous Archean greenstone belts that vary considerably in their gold endowment, yet the geological factors controlling this variability remain poorly understood. This project will investigate how mantle source characteristics, tectonic processes, and magmatism contributed to differences in gold prospectivity across the province. The research will focus on intermediate to felsic intrusions to determine whether they preserve evidence of changing mantle sources and tectono-magmatic conditions associated with variations in gold endowment.
The project will combine apatite and zircon geochemistry, geochronology, and isotope analysis to investigate the evolution of Archean mantle sources and their relationship to gold endowment. A particular focus will be sulfur isotopes in apatite, providing a novel approach to investigating Archean tectonic and mantle processes. The student will gain experience in secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS), laser ablation inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-ICP-MS), electron probe microanalysis (EPMA), and other microanalytical techniques, with potential opportunities for fieldwork in the Superior Province.
The research will develop novel mineral-scale indicators of Archean tectonic processes and geological conditions associated with gold fertility, with potential applications to mineral exploration. The student will work closely with researchers at the Geological Survey of Canada, academic collaborators, and industry partners, with opportunities to contribute to scientific publications and present research at conferences.
Work environmentAt Natural Resources Canada, a Federal government job means developing leadership skills, fostering teamwork, and supporting creativity and innovation. Canada’s governments depend on geoscience to inform policy, manage the country's landmass and develop its natural resources responsibly. The Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) is the national organization for geoscientific information and research. Since 1842 the Geological Survey of Canada has produced cutting-edge, authoritative geoscience to support mineral exploration, climate change research, marine and coastal resilience, and natural hazards mapping. Our work supports decision-making in the mining and energy sectors, as well as national sovereignty, hazard risk management, and more. The GSC is proud to create a workplace that supports an accessible, equitable, inclusive, and diverse workforce at the ready to tackle current and future science challenges. The GSC provides a stimulating work environment with a passionate team and promotes work- life balance.
The candidate will work in laboratory settings as part of their research program.
Intent of the process
The intention is to staff one student for the completion of a doctorate degree, under the supervision of Dr. Joshua Davies at UQAM (Montreal, Quebec) and Dr. Jennifer Smith at the Geological Survey of Canada (Ottawa).
Positions to be filled
1
Important messages
You must provide proof of your education credentials, and a list of courses may be required.
Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice.
A random and/or top-down selection of candidates may be used in the determination of those to be given further consideration in the assessment process.
Candidates from outside the public service may be required to pay for travel and relocation costs associated with this selection process.
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 further information on the Research Affiliate Program (RAP), please visit: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/jobs/services/recruitment/students/research-affiliate-program.html
Natural Resources Canada is committed to employment equity and building strength through diversity. We welcome applications from qualified people and encourage members of the designated groups (Aboriginal Peoples, Persons with Disabilities, Visible Minorities and Women) to apply and to self-identify.
For this selection process, it is our intention to communicate with candidates via email for screening and assessment purposes (including issuing screening results and sending invitations for written tests and interviews). To that end, you must include a valid email address in your application. It is your responsibility to ensure that this address is functional and that it accepts messages from unknown users. It is also your responsibility to ensure accurate information is provided and updated as required.
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.
Conditions of employment
• Reliability Status security clearance - This factor is not used at the screening stage; the hiring department is responsible for the security clearance process.
• Ability to travel within Canada for possible fieldwork*, laboratory analysis, conferences, or meetings.
*For fieldwork, the student must obtain certifications as needed, including remote first aid/CPR.
You need (essential for the job)
Applied / assessed at a later date
Education:
• Currently enrolled, or eligible to enroll, in a Ph.D. program at the University of Quebec in Montreal (UQAM), Montreal, Quebec, with specialization relevant to the duties of the position. Proof will be required before the start date.
• Graduated with a B.Sc. and/or a M.Sc. in Earth Science, Geology, or related discipline from a recognized post-secondary institution. Proof will be required before the start date.
Learn more about degree equivalency.
Experience:
In the context of student recruitment in the federal public service, experience can be acquired through studies, work experience or volunteer activities. The successful candidates are expected to have experience in:
• Geology, Earth sciences, or a related discipline.
• Petrographic microscopy and interpretation of igneous rocks.
• Interpretation of major- and trace-element geochemical data.
• Working independently and as part of a team.
• Experience with geochronology, isotope geochemistry, or microanalytical techniques would be an asset, but is not required.
Knowledge:
• Knowledge of igneous petrology and common rock-forming minerals.
• Understanding of magmatic processes and mineral systems.
• Basic understanding of geochemical and isotopic methods used to investigate mantle and crustal evolution.
• Knowledge of Archean geology, gold systems, or isotope geochemistry would be an asset.
• Knowledge of the geology of the Superior Province would be an asset.
Abilities:
• Ability to interpret petrographic observations and geochemical data.
• Ability to integrate different geological datasets to address research questions.
• Strong written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary research team.
• Ability to organize research activities and meet deadlines.
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.