MSc thesis on rock thermal properties and geochemistry applied to geothermal energy - Research Affiliate Program

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Assessment accommodation

Duties

In the context of climate change and global energy transition, technologies such as geological CO2 sequestration and extraction of geothermal energy from deep geological units are gaining in momentum. The costs of drilling wells for these purposes are very high, but in some cases, former oil and gas wells could be used to accommodate both CO2 sequestration and geothermal energy production, which would make these technologies more economical. To 1) ensure optimal system operation and 2) prevent environmental contamination, it is therefore necessary to characterize changes in the properties of targeted reservoir units (porosity, permeability, thermal conductivity) resulting from the complex interactions between fluids and rocks.

To achieve this, the student will have to:
• Do a literature review to: 1) determine the optimum pressure and temperature, as well as brine composition and CO2 concentration to be used in the reactor, 2) to become familiar with the possible geochemical reactions due to the injection of free-phase supercritical CO2 into deep geological reservoirs (in the short and long term) and 3) to apprehend the associated risk of leakage towards the surface due to the buoyancy;
• Characterize several core samples from different rock types for porosity, permeability, thermal properties and chemical composition in the laboratory. Since pores control storage and fractures control flow, some of the samples will also be artificially fractured and re-characterized.
• Perform experiments with a reactor at representative pressure and temperature conditions in situ (i.e. reservoir conditions) for a few weeks with the different core samples, then re-characterize them to measure potential changes in their properties.
• Sample brine regularly from the reactor during the course of the experiment to quantify changes in its geochemical composition (major and minor ions). Stable isotopes of strontium (87Sr/86Sr) will also be analyzed in the fluid and in different rock fractions, to verify the potential of using this isotope ratio as an indicator of potential deep fluid leak.

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.
Much of the work will take place in laboratories.

Intent of the process

The intention is to staff one student position for the completion of a master’s thesis on thermal properties and geochemistry of rocks in the context of CO2 sequestration and geothermal energy exploitation.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter "Applicants must submit a short cover letter (1000 words maximum) describing their interest in this project and their relevant experience (either on the job or during their studies). In addition, please demonstrate your interest in laboratory testing."

Contact information for 2 references.

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

English or French

Information on language requirements

Essential Education:
• The candidate must have obtained their bachelor’s degree from a recognized university or be in their final semester in one of the following fields: Earth sciences; geology; geological, chemical or environmental engineering l (or any other relevant discipline);

Degree equivalency

Essential experience and knowledge:
• Experience in a laboratory to evaluate rock thermal and/or hydraulic properties;
• Knowledge of geothermal energy.

In the context of student recruitment in the federal public service, experience/knowledge can be acquired through studies, work experience or volunteer activities.

• Good oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team.

Essential personnal suitabilities:
• Self-motivation
• Autonomy

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

Asset Experience:
• Experience in numerical modelling (applied to geology, and more specifically hydrogeology and/or geochemistry).

Asset Knowledge:
• Be familiar with Matlab software.
• Working knowledge of programming in R or Python (required for statistical analysis of geochemical data).

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

Information on employment equity

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 must be registered at the Institut national de la recherche scientifique - Centre Eau Terre et Environnement (INRS-ETE) in Quebec City for this master’s degree, where his or her future director is located, and reside in the vicinity because of the laboratory work.
• Students must be prepared to perform laboratory work on a regular basis.

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

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.

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

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. 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 administered.
Reference may be sought.

You must provide proof of your education credentials and transcript.

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.

Preference

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