Environmental Protection & Climate Change - Research Affiliate Program

Important messages

We are 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 use the Contact information below to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Assessment accommodation

Duties

CanmetMINING, Natural Resources Canada has received funding for a five year research project to support responsible resource development by advancing risk assessment and mitigation measures as they relate to the Canadian mining sector’s ability to adapt to a changing climate. This project will assess risks to mines in temperate Canadian climates and will develop knowledge specifically in regards to changes in the water balance and water management practices at mine sites.

In some areas of Canada, climate change effects may increasingly manifest themselves in increased frequencies and magnitudes of intense precipitation and prolonged drought events. The intensification of drought periods increases the potential for water shortages with implications for operational disruption, tailings exposure and dust generation.

This two year MSc project will specifically focus on the effects of drought on metal mobility in sediments in Junction Creek, Sudbury, ON. The research will consist of field collection in Sudbury and laboratory experimentation conducted at both Laurentian University and CanmetMINING laboratories in Ottawa.

Much work has been conducted on Junction Creek related to metal contamination in sediments (e.g. Jaaguamagi et al., 2001; Houle et al., 2007; Gunn et al., 2010) and recent research has revealed that periods of drought can lead to pulse exposures upon re-wetting (Szkokan-Emilson et al., 2013; Watmough & Orlovskaya, 2015).
Building off of this work, three research questions will be addressed:
1) What is the extent of metal release (pulses) from these sediments after a drought or drying period?
2) What effect do these pulses have on aquatic organisms and downstream ecology in Junction Creek and Kelly Lake?
3) How many episodes does it take to reach a ‘safe pulse limit’ i.e. one that is equivalent to guideline levels?
This project will involve:
1) Collection of sediments and overlying water in May and September 2019 along Junction Creek, including its tributaries and within Kelly Lake.
2) Laboratory simulations of drying and re-flooding events over periods of 30- and 60-days to assess pulse releases of metals from sediments
3) Toxicity testing and bioavailability studies incorporating the benthic invertebrate Chironomus dilutus on the affected sediments before and after drought manipulation
4) Analysis of sediments, including sequential extractions, total metal content, clay content, organic matter content and Fe hydroxides to evaluate whether sediment type/condition relates to mobility of metals.

The student will be the primary contributor to the research work outputs which may include technical reports, scientific journal articles and conference presentations. The position also includes planning, identifying resource needs for the development and completion of the research activities. Note that any Intellectual Property created from carrying out this research will rest with Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada as represented by the Minister of Natural Resources.

Work environment

The MSc position will be co-supervised through CanmetMINING, Ottawa, ON and the Living with Lakes Centre at Laurentian University, Sudbury, ON. The student will join an interdisciplinary group engaged in leading edge research and can take advantage of the numerous opportunities to gain valuable field/lab experience.

Positions to be filled: Number to be determined

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter in 500 words (maximum)

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

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

Candidates must possess by the start date (Jan 2019) a BSc in science with specialisations in environmental chemistry, aquatic toxicology, biology, ecology, zoology or geochemistry.
Candidates must have completed 3rd year Chemistry courses.
Currently enrolled in or be willing to enrol in the MSc in Biology at Laurentian University. For applicants not currently enrolled, acceptance into the programs is subject to approval of the Department of Biology as well as the Faculty of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies at Laurentian.
Candidates must have a minimum 75% grade average upon completion of their BSc degree to be eligible for a Graduate Teaching Assistant position.

Degree equivalency

Candidates must have prior field or laboratory experience in aquatic toxicology, ecology or related field.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

Candidates must be willing to do field work.
Candidates must be willing to conduct a portion of their laboratory work based in Ottawa.

Conditions of employment

Reliability Status security clearance

Candidates must have a minimum G2 drivers licence.
Canadiates must have up to date First aid or be willing to obtain First aid by April 2019.

Other information

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

Preference

Preference will be given to Canadian citizens.

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