Quaternary Geology - Research Affiliate Program

Important messages

To be considered for Research Affiliate Program (RAP) work opportunities, you must meet the following criteria:

Persons residing in Canada and Canadian citizens residing abroad.

Be recognized as a PhD student having full-time student status by the post-secondary academic institution at which you are currently enrolled. (A proof will be required).

Be the minimum age to work in the province or territory where the job is located.

Duties

This Ph.D. project consists of characterizing the surficial sediments of the Lower St. Lawrence region and aims to reconstruct the regional Quaternary paleogeography, to establish the stratigraphy and architecture of the Quaternary units and to construct a 3D model that may be used to contruct a hydrostratigraphic model and to assess the seismic response at a regional scale. At the close of the Pleistocene, the glacial landforms and sediments of this region were remolded and re-entrained by the St. Lawrence Ice Stream glacial and subsequently covered by thick silty clay sediments deposited during a marine transgression (Champlain-Goldthwait) that reached about 180 m in elevation. The ensuing isostatic recovery led to a rapid marine regression during which sandy gravelly sediments formed in littoral and deltaic environments were unconformably deposited on earlier glacial and marine sediments. The successful candidate will be required to:

- Characterize and map the various Quaternary landforms and sediments using a LiDAR survey ; prepare representative cross-sections that will be used to construct the regional 3D model;
- Define and characterize the various landsystem assemblages produced by the St. Lawrence Ice Stream ; compile a map of the land footprint of this paleo-ice stream;
- Establish the chronologic and paleogeographic framework of Quaternary events in the St. Lawrence Valley downstream of Québec City.

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.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter in 3,000 words (maximum)

Contact information for 2 references.

You must meet all essential qualifications in order to be appointed to the position. Other qualifications may be a deciding factor in choosing the person to be appointed. Some essential and other qualifications will be assessed through your application. It is your responsibility to provide appropriate examples that illustrate how you meet each qualification. Failing to do so could result in your application being rejected.

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

A M.Sc. degree in earth or environmental science (or equivalent) from a recognized university.

Degree equivalency

Demonstrated experience in 3D modeling and hydrostratigraphy

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

English or French

Information on language requirements

Knowledge in Quaternary geology and geomorphology
Knowledge of ArcGIS and gOcad softwares
Knowledge of surficial geology in southern Québec
Knowledge in statistical methods

Ability to work in a research laboratory or in the field

Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing
Team work
Initiative

Conditions of employment

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, and therefore will be asked by the hiring organization to complete security-relevant documents.

The student must be willing to perform strenuous fieldwork sometimes in isolated areas as part of research and follow all the required health and safety requirements

Other information

Reference checks may be sought.

An interview may be administered.

A test may be administered.

A situational exercise may be administered.

You must provide proof of your education credentials.

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.

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.

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. This will include communication of screening results and invitations to written tests and interviews. To that end, 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). It is also the candidate’s 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.

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled, diverse workforce reflective of Canadian society. As a result, it promotes employment equity and encourages candidates to indicate voluntarily on their application if they are a woman, an Aboriginal person, a person with a disability or a member of a visible minority group.

The Public Service of Canada is also committed to developing inclusive, barrier-free selection processes and work environments. If contacted in relation to a job opportunity or testing, you should advise the Public Service Commission or the departmental official in a timely fashion of the accommodation measures which must be taken to enable you to be assessed in a fair and equitable manner. Information received relating to accommodation measures will be addressed confidentially.

Preference

Preference will be given to Canadian citizens.

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.