Geoscience Field, Laboratory, and Office Assistants - 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

When you apply to this selection process, you are not applying for a specific job, but to an inventory for future vacancies. As positions become available, applicants who meet the qualifications may be contacted for further assessment.

The Geological Survey of Canada is part of Natural Resources Canada’s Lands and Minerals Sector. It is a national organization for geoscientific information and research. Its world-class expertise focuses on the sustainable development of Canada’s mineral, energy and water resources; stewardship of Canada’s environment; management of natural geological and related hazards; and technology innovation.

On October 6, 2021, the Government of Canada announced details of its plans to require vaccination across the federal public service.

As per the new Policy on COVID-19 Vaccination for the Core Public Administration Including the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, federal public servants in the Core Public Administration and members of the RCMP must attest to their vaccination status. The requirement for employees to be fully vaccinated applies whether they are teleworking, working remotely or working on-site. This is a condition of employment and it applies to indeterminate (permanent), determinate (term), casual, and student hiring. Should you reach the point in the selection process where it is necessary to verify terms and conditions of employment then the hiring manager or a human resources representative will contact you in order to complete an attestation.

Duties

The Targeted Geoscience Initiative (TGI) is a national, collaborative, multidisciplinary geoscience research program of the GSC that aims to improve mineral exploration effectiveness by developing next-generation geological models and knowledge, as well as leading-edge tools and methods. It seeks to understand the processes that formed Canada’s mineral deposits and identify and develop novel indicators and parameters to guide exploration in emerging and existing mining areas. TGI has particular interest in critical and economically important minerals, as well as digital geoscience and disruptive technologies (e.g., artificial intelligence) to support ore system studies.

This project involves the study of the NRCan ArcticDEM (Digital Elevation Model) in support of a GEM-GeoNorth Activity for a new Glacial Map of Northern Canada. The study will begin by application of various statistical and machine-learning techniques to map glacial landforms by morphotype in various glacial terrain conditions (e.g., soft vs. hard bedded terrain) of northern Canada. Different regions of Canada will be used as ‘test areas’ with an eventual focus on southern Baffin Island. There is no fieldwork planned for this M.Sc. thesis, but it will feed into a much larger Geo-GeoNorth research program for all of northern Canada.

TGI/GEM has opportunities for students to be involved in program research through types of positions: field-based, laboratory-based, office-based, and multidisciplinary. The duration of positions will vary in length depending on specific project requirements.

Field-based positions: Some student positions will involve field work. Field seasons can vary in length and field accommodations may be at existing mine sites or in remote locations in tents with rudimentary conveniences. Work conditions will be variable depending on local circumstances. Field work may include foot traverses or work in cores shacks (mine sites) but details of any required field work will be discussed with potential candidates. Various modes of field transport may include 4x4 trucks, all-terrain vehicles, and/or small fixed-wing and/or rotary aircraft.

Laboratory and office-based positions: These roles are focused on supporting TGI/GEM research analyses by carrying out geochronological or geochemical analyses, 3D geophysical modelling, data integration, GIS, artificial intelligence, and related fields. GIS work may include database construction and data compilation, management and interpretation in support of enhancing geoscience knowledge of ore deposit systems. Students working in GSC laboratories and offices will be responsible for their own living expenses and accommodations.

These positions would involve field, laboratory, and office components. These are most often available through RAP bursaries for students based at a university and conducting research as part of a TGI/GEM study.

Depending on the position, study specializations can be very narrow or very broad. The student should clearly indicate in their cover letter the research areas where they possess knowledge (degree) or experience to allow matching to more specific research positions that may be filled as part of this RAP process. Areas of study that are relevant to TGI/GEM include, but are not limited to:
Geophysics,Geology,Earth sciences.Geochemistry,Geochronology
Hydrothermal ore systems (VMS and SEDEX mineral deposits)
Magmatic ore systems (e.g., Ni-Cr-PGE mineral deposits)
Orogenic ore systems (e.g., lode gold mineral deposits),Critical minerals ,Artificial intelligence

Positions to be filled: 60

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter "Applicants should clearly identify in the cover letter (Maximum 1000 words) the type of position for which they would be interested in applying: general field work, physically challenging field work, laboratory work, office work, or multidisciplinary. Applicants should clearly state identify in their cover letter the research areas where they possess knowledge and experience, if applicable, to allow matching to more specific research positions that may be filled as part of this RAP process."

Contact information for 2 references.

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

Enrolled full-time in a recognized post-secondary institution in an undergraduate or graduate program in Earth Sciences, Geology, Geophysics or a related discipline that requires research as part of the curriculum.

Degree equivalency

Study/fieldwork experience related to the Earth Sciences.

Knowledge or experience in fundamental geoscience disciplines, such as Geology, Geochemistry, Geochronology, Geophysics, Structural Geology, Tectonics or Quaternary geology 3D modelling.

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

English or French

Information on language requirements

Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team

Ability to be self-reliant and reliable

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

For some positions, the student must be willing to conduct physically strenuous fieldwork sometimes in remote or isolated areas.
For fieldwork, the student must be able to pass a medical, and possess or obtain safety courses as needed, including first aid/CPR, wilderness first aid, and/or firearms training.
For some positions, the student may be required to hold First Aid/CPR or Wilderness First Aid certification and/or a Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC).
For some positions, the student must be willing to carry out laboratory work and possess or obtain all required safety training.
The student must be willing to travel to the fieldwork and office work locations of the position.
For some positions, the student may be required to be in possession of a valid driver's licence.

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 further information on the Research Affiliate Program (RAP), please visit:
http://jobs-emplois.gc.ca/rap-par/index-eng.php

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 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.

Reference checks may be sought.
An interview may be administered.
A test may be administered.

You must provide proof of your education credentials.Transcripts and a list of courses may be required.

Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice.

Preference will be given to Canadian citizens who meet the job requirements.

Candidates from outside the public service may be required to pay for travel and relocation costs associated with this selection process.

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.

Information on the preference to veterans

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