Student - PhD on the rare earth element deposit of Kipawa, Québec - Research Affiliate Program

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Assessment accommodation

Duties

Rare earth elements (REE) are essential for the manufacture of green technologies including hybrid and electric cars, wind turbines, and common electronic products. The peralkaline agpaitic Kipawa complex, composed mainly of syenites, conceals exceptional mineralization rich in REE and zirconium (Zr). Even though the Kipawa complex is famous for its eudialyte, mosandrite and britholite mineralogy, it has been very little studied, and in particular the metallogenic processes are little understood. This project aims to characterize the different rocks and minerals of the REE deposit in order to understand the formation of the complex and especially the different processes at the origin of its formation and the mineralization rich in REE-Zr.
The investigation of drill core samples by several analytical methods, both petrological (optical microscope, scanning electron microscopy, micro-XRF, electron probe microanalyzer, laser ablation ICP-MS) and geochemical (ICP-MS, TIMS, geochemistry of stable oxygen isotopes) represent the central tasks to be carried out. These acquisitions will help trace the source of REE and identify the mineralization processes of the Kipawa complex. The U-Pb geochronology of zircon grains combined with the trace elements signature (REE, U, Th) will provide essential constraints on the mineralizing processes (e.g., magmatic vs. metamorphic). The respective role of the mantle source, crustal contamination, Grenvillian metamorphism, fluids rich in fluorine will be elucidated. These results will be compared with other alkaline complexes located in Canada and elsewhere in the world, most of which are generally better studied.

Intent of the process

The intention is to staff one student position for the completion of a PhD -
**PhD PROJECT ON THE MINERALOGICAL AND GEOCHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF THE KIPAWA RARE EARTH ELEMENT DEPOSIT, QUEBEC.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

Contact information for 2 references.

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

French essential

Information on language requirements

►The candidate must currently have a master’s degree in Geology or Earth sciences from a recognized Canadian or foreign university.
►This PhD is conditional on obtaining funding from the research project.
►The candidate must demonstrate his/her motivation on pursuing graduate studies.

Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCES:
In the context of student recruitment in the federal public service, experience can be acquired through studies, work experience or volunteer activities.
►Experience with isotopic laboratory works.
►Experience working efficiently in a team.

ABILITIES:
►Ability to communicate effectively orally.
►Ability to communicate effectively in writing.

PERSONAL SUITABILITIES:
►Autonomy
►Motivation

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

Selection may be limited to members of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, women

Information on employment equity

The Department of Natural Resources Canada is committed to having a skilled and diversified workforce representative of the population we serve. In support of our strategy to achieve employment equity goals, selection may be limited to candidates self-identifying as belonging to one of the following Employment Equity groups: women, Aboriginal persons, persons with a disability and members of visible minority groups.

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. Therefore, the student will be asked by the hiring organization to complete security-related documents.

►The student will need to be registered at Laval University (in Quebec City) for this PhD degree, where his director is located.
►The student must be ready to do regular laboratory work as requested by the project supervisors.

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

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 conducted.
Reference may be sought.

You must provide proof of your education credentials. 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.

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.

Preference

Preference will be given to Canadian citizens.

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