PhD Student – Sable Island Geology - Research Affiliate Program

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Assessment accommodation

Duties

Sable Island Bank is a broad, shallow bank composed largely of the sands found on and under Sable Island. These characteristics identify the bank as an ideal location for potential offshore wind energy development to support Canada’s clean energy targets and create a potential export market of clean electricity and green hydrogen. The marine infrastructure associated with a potential offshore wind industry will have unique implications for the area, potentially impacting the physical oceanography, low-level atmospheric patterns, and associated sediment transport processes. Defining the sources and sinks of the island’s sediments to develop a sedimentary budget would improve the understanding of Sable Island’s relationship with the sediments on the bank, and therefore the island’s morphological projections. By leveraging the extensive data holdings and existing research programs on Sable Island, supplemented with targeted field surveys and sampling, the candidate can work towards two objectives: a) Develop an updated characterisation of the island’s geomorphology, b) Contribute to the understanding of the island’s resiliency to climate change and hypotheses about its future, and c) Provide data and knowledge to essential impact assessment activities for renewable infrastructure emplacement on Sable Island Bank by providing the baseline dataset for any modelling efforts or the establishment of a post-installation monitoring program.

Work environment

The PhD project will be co-supervised by Jordan Eamer at the Geological Survey of Canada and Professor Danika Van Proosdij at TransCoastal Adaptations: Centre for Nature Based Solutions, Saint Mary’s University. The Geological Survey of Canada Atlantic is located in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia and is a research leader in marine geology and has numerous laboratories, logistical support for remote fieldwork, as well as state-of-the-art analytical infrastructures. TransCoastal Adaptations, located in Halifax, Nova Scotia is a trans-disciplinary team working to understand the ecological, political, and social elements of coastlines and how to successfully protect and restore these unique landscapes.

Intent of the process

The intention is to staff one (1) student position for the completion of a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) at Saint Mary’s University.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

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

Essential Education:
• Currently enrolled or willing to enroll at Saint Mary’s University with a specialization in Geography or Geoscience that requires research as part of the curriculum.
• A Master's degree, obtained within the last three (3) years from a recognized post-secondary institution, in a field of the natural sciences related to the duties of the position

Degree equivalency

Essential Experience:
• Experience in field data collection in coastal settings (remote e.g. off-grid experience preferred).
• Experience in writing scientific reports and/or peer-reviewed manuscripts.
• Experience in laboratory sample preparation and analyses.
• Experience in field acquisition and laboratory processing and analysis of sediment cores.
• Experience preparing and analyzing paleoecological samples.
• Experience working with offshore wind energy stakeholders

If you possess any of the following, your application must also clearly explain how you meet it (other qualifications)

Asset Experience:
• Experience working on Sable Island, Nova Scotia

• Willingness and ability to travel (within and/or outside Canada).
• Willingness and ability to work overtime on short notice or without notice.
• Willingness to complete a Health Canada medical screening for fieldwork.

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Essential Knowledge:
• Knowledge of the historical and recent geological evolution of Sable Island.
• Knowledge of principles of sedimentology, coastal geomorphology, and GIS.
• Knowledge of current issues and opportunities relating to offshore wind energy development on Sable Island Bank.

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

• Showing Initiative and being action-oriented
• Working effectively with others
• Effective Communications
• Uphold Integrity and Respect

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 - 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.

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

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

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/.

Preference

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