M.Sc. on the cryohydrogeophysics of a talik beneath the Kuuguluk River, Salluit, Nunavik, Québec - Research Affiliate Program

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Assessment accommodation

Duties

In the continuous permafrost zones at high northern latitudes in Canada, layers of permanently thawed ground, known as taliks, are present beneath lakes and rivers. If there is sufficient groundwater in these taliks, these aquifers can be tapped to supply drinking water to northern communities. For instance, groundwater from a fractured aquifer in the talik beneath the Kuguuluk River in Salluit, an Inuit community in Nunavik (Quebec), is used as a source of drinking water. However, uncertainties remain about the aquifer potential of this talik, the availability and quality of the groundwater, the vulnerability of this river-talik system to the impacts of climate change, and the sustainability of this talik as a source of drinking water. As part of the Geological Survey of Canada’s (GSC) GEM-GeoNorth program, the talik beneath the Kuuguluk River will be studied in detail to address the above uncertainties by delineating it with geophysical surveys, instrumenting it to monitor ground temperature and hydraulic head in the aquifer, installing wells to sample and measure groundwater quality, and carrying out numerical modelling of groundwater flow and heat transfer to assess the impact of global warming on the talik dynamics. The results of this study will be useful for other northern communities in continuous permafrost environments who wish to exploit the talik aquifers for sustainable access to drinking water of sufficient quality and quantity.
As part of the study of this river-talik system in Salluit, a M.Sc. research project is proposed to carry out a cryohydrogeophysical investigation of the talik beneath the Kuuguluk River. The main objectives of this research project are 1) to delineate the talik limits and adjacent permafrost conditions using various geophysical surveys, and 2) to improve a conceptual 3D cryohydrogeological model of the Salluit valley based on new constraints derived from mapping of Quaternary deposits, drilling and geophysical investigations. 2D and 3D ground-penetrating-radar profiles, as well as 2D and 3D electrical resistivity tomography using galvanic contact with the ground surface and capacitive coupling, will be carried out during the geophysical investigations.
This M.Sc. research project in cryohydrogeophysics is part of the study of the talik under the Kuuguluk River in Salluit. A Ph.D. research project and two other M.Sc. research projects are included in this study. As part of the PhD research project, the 3D cryohydrogeological conceptual model will be used to simulate groundwater flow and heat transfer by conduction and advection in the talik and adjacent permafrost for understanding the dynamics of cryohydrogeological processes taking place in the river-talik system in Salluit and assessing groundwater availability. The two other M.Sc.research projects will focus on groundwater geochemistry and quality, and organic matter remobilization and microbial activity. A team of experts from the GSC, the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) and Centre d'études nordiques (CEN) at Université Laval will oversee these research projects. The person selected for this M.Sc. research project in cryohydrogeophysics will be actively involved in geophysical investigations of the talik beneath the Kuuguluk River in Salluit, processing and interpreting the geophysical data, and improving the 3D cryohydrogeological model.
The successful candidate will enroll in Interuniversity M.Sc. program in Earth Sciences at Université Laval. With the help of their supervisors and the scientists involved in this project, the successful candidate will be invited to publish the results of their research in GSC public reports and peer-reviewed scientific journals, give oral and/or poster presentations at scientific, government or industry conferences, and conduct outreach activities on their research to the Inuit stakeholders.

Work environment

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Intent of the process

The intention is to staff one student position for the completion of a M.Sc. student position in Earth Sciences on cryohydrogeophysics of a talik beneath the Kuuguluk River, Salluit, Nunavik (Québec).

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter "A covering letter indicating the areas of research in which you have knowledge and/or experience."

A response to a text question addressing the following:

• Please indicate which one:

Contact information for 2 references.

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

Essential Education:
►The candidate must have completed his/her B.Sc. degree in Earth Sciences from a recognized university, or be in his/her last session.
►The candidate must demonstrate his/her motivation on pursuing graduate studies.

Degree equivalency

Experience:
• Experience in applied and environmental geophysics*.
• Experience relevant to the acquisition, organization and analysis of geological data in a Geographic Information System (GIS) and 3D modeling environment.

*For the recruitment of students in the federal public service, experience may be acquired through studies, work experience or volunteer activities.

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

English or French

Information on language requirements

Knowledge:
• Knowledge of scientific concepts in geophysics, geology.
• Knowledge in applied and environmental geophysics.

Abilities:
• Ability to work in a research laboratory and in the field in remote areas.
• Ability to work alone and in a team.
• Ability to communicate effectively within the team and with industrial, academic and governmental partners.
• Ability to communicate results effectively with the public.

Personal suitabilities:
• Motivation and dynamism
• Autonomy and proactivity
• Integrity and professionalism

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

Asset Knowledge:
• Knowledge of hydrogeology and permafrost science.
• Knowledge in signal processing in geophysics and inversion.

Asset Abilities:
• Ability to communicate effectively with industrial, academic and governmental partners.

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 will need to be enrolled to the Interuniversity M.Sc. program in Earth Sciences at Université Laval (Québec, QC, Canada). and registered for the Summer 2024 term.
• The student must be ready to do regular laboratory work and fieldwork in remote areas as requested by the project supervisors.
• In addition to the doctoral program courses, the student must take a mandatory course in health and safety in remote regions before carrying out field work.

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.

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.