PhD Research on Economic Geology & Isotopic Studies on Canadian Nb & REE Carbonatites - Research Affiliate Program

Important messages

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Assessment accommodation

Duties

Within the framework of the Critical Mineral Geoscience & Data program (CMGD) of the Geological Survey of Canada, the research project of the doctoral thesis will examine the timing of Nb and REE mineralization in carbonatites via direct dating of the mineralizing events and of the host carbonatites. Specific dateable ore minerals of interest include bastnaesite, monazite, apatite, pyrochlore and baddelyite. Tracer isotopic studies (Sr, Nd, Hf, Pb) on these and other minerals combined with stable isotopic studies (bastnaesite, calcite, dolomite) will be utilized to understand the potential effects of crustal contamination and meteoric fluids with respect to mineralization. The main objective of the project is to acquire in-depth geoscientific knowledge on the geological, mineralogical and metallogenic aspects of critical minerals in Canadian carbonatites to improve geological and exploration models for this deposit type. The project will use modern geochemical and petrographic techniques coupled with state-of-the-art analytical methods (e.g., SEM, EMPA, LA-ICP-MS, TIMS, MC-ICP-MS) on samples from fieldwork (outcrop and drill core) and archival samples.

Work environment

At Natural Resources Canada, a Federal government job means developing leadership skills, fostering teamwork, and supporting creativity and innovation. Canada’s governments depend on geoscience to inform policy, manage the country's landmass and develop its natural resources responsibly. The Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) is the national organization for geoscientific information and research. Since 1842 the Geological Survey of Canada has produced cutting-edge, authoritative geoscience to support mineral exploration, climate change research, marine and coastal resilience, and natural hazards mapping. Our work supports decision-making in the mining and energy sectors, as well as national sovereignty, hazards risk management and more. The GSC is proud to create a workplace that supports an accessible, equitable, inclusive, and diverse workforce at the ready to tackle current and future science challenges. The GSC provides a stimulating work environment with a passionate team and promotes work- life balance.

Intent of the process

The intention is to staff one student position for the completion of a PhD degree supervised by Dr. B.A. Kjarsgaard at Geological Survey of Canada and Professor D.G. Pearson at University of Alberta.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter "(1500 words maximum) indicating the areas of research in which you have knowledge and/or experience."

Contact information for 2 references.

A list of the courses you have taken as well as any courses that you are taking now, or that you will be taking this academic year

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

Essential Education:
• Graduation with a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Geology, Earth Sciences, Geosciences or other relevant specialization from a recognized Canadian or foreign University.
• MSc level graduate courses in ore deposit geology, geochemical prospecting, mineralogy and crystallography, geochemistry and thermodynamics, igneous petrology and volcanology, statistics, exploration geophysics.

Degree equivalency

Essential Experience:
In the context of student recruitment in the federal public service, experience/knowledge can be acquired through studies, work experience or volunteer activities.
• Experience studying the fundamental disciplines of Earth sciences including field mapping and petrography/mineralogy.
• Minimum 5 years of field mapping experience of 4 months per year.
• Experience in logging mineralized and non-mineralized drill core.
• Experience and ability to perform SEM, EMPA, XRF and XRD analyses.

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 acquisition, organization and analysis of geological data in a geographic information system (GIS).

Abilities:
• Ability to integrate surface and sub-surface geology and geophysics datasets
• Ability to work in a research laboratory.
• Ability to work outside in the field in remote areas.
• Ability to work independently and in a team.
• Ability to communicate effectively within the team, with industrial, academic, government partners, and with the public.

Personal Suitability:
• Motivation and proactivity.
• Integrity and professionalism.

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, members of visible minority groups, and persons with a disability.

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.

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 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/.

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

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.