M.Sc. - Petrogenesis of the Coppermine River Group, Nunavut

Natural Resources Canada - Lands & Minerals Sector - Geological Survey of Canada - GSC-Central
Ottawa (Ontario)
This MSc Bursary will start September 1, 2025 and end on March 31, 2027.
Scholarship of $25,000/year divided into 3 equal installments each year. It is expected that the student will work approximately 10 to 15 hours per week for a period of 1.5 years (5 semesters).
For further information on the organization, please visit Natural Resources Canada

Video: The application process step by step!

Closing date: 18 June 2025 - 23:5+, Pacific Time

Who can apply: Persons residing in Canada, and Canadian citizens and Permanent residents abroad.

To be considered for RAP work opportunities, students must be:
1. Recognized as having full-time student status by the post-secondary academic institution at which they are presently enrolled OR be a part-time student who is recognized by their academic institution as having a disability;
2. The minimum age to work in the province or territory where the job is located; and
3. Enrolled in an academic program that requires research as part of their curriculum.
Apply online

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

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.

Duties
The 1.27 Ga Mackenzie Large Igneous Province (LIP) located in Nunavut, Canada, includes the Coppermine River Group flood basalts, the Muskox layered intrusion, and the Mackenzie dyke swarm. We are seeking a highly motivated M.Sc. student in igneous petrology/geochemistry to investigate the mode of emplacement and petrogenetic evolution of the Coppermine River Group (CRG) flood basalts and their feeder dykes. The research will contribute to project activities that are investigating potential links between the CRG and the Muskox layered intrusion, with implications for the economic potential of the Mackenzie LIP. The candidate will be based at the University of Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, and will be expected to participate in project meetings at the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) in Ottawa, actively collaborate with the project team, and communicate results at conferences and in articles published in scientific journals. The position will involve laboratory analyses at the University of Ottawa, the GSC, and other national laboratories, and may include fieldwork in the summer of 2026. This study will contribute to ongoing research at the GSC into the Ni-Cu-PGE potential of large igneous provinces.

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 an M.Sc. degree supervised by Dr. Brian O’Driscoll at the University of Ottawa, and by Dr. Marie-Claude Williamson at the Geological Survey of Canada (Ottawa).

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide
Your résumé.

A covering letter "of approximately 500 words outlining your interest in the position and relevant education and experience."

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)
Essential Education:
Students who are currently enrolled or eligible to enroll in a MSc program at the University of Ottawa, specializing in Igneous Petrology or another specialization relevant to the duties of the position, are invited to submit their applications for this program. Proof will be required before the start date.
Degree equivalency

Essential Experience:
In the context of student recruitment in the federal public service, experience can be acquired through studies, work experience or volunteer activities. The successful candidates are expected to have experience in:
Petrographic descriptions of thin sections.
Working individually and in teams.
The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)
English essential

Information on language requirements

Essential Knowledge:
A strong foundation in igneous petrology, including key mineral and texture identification in hand sample and with a petrographic microscope.
A familiarity with the concepts of igneous petrogenesis as applied to mafic and ultramafic rocks.
Essential Abilities and Skills:
Good written and oral communication skills in English.
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.
Ability to travel for possible fieldwork*, conferences, and meetings.
Be in possession of a valid driver’s license.
The duration of the project will be 1.5 years between 2025 and 2027.

For fieldwork, the student must be able to pass a Health Canada health assessment, and possess or obtain safety courses as needed, including first aid/CPR.
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

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

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

A random and/or top-down selection of candidates may be used in the determination of those to be given further consideration in the assessment process.

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

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 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

Natural Resources Canada is committed to employment equity and building strength through diversity. We welcome applications from qualified people and encourage members of the designated groups (Aboriginal Peoples, Persons with Disabilities, Visible Minorities and Women) to apply and to self-identify.

For this selection process, it is our intention to communicate with candidates via email for screening and assessment purposes (including issuing screening results and sending invitations for written tests and interviews). To that end, you must include a valid email address in your application. It is your responsibility to ensure that this address is functional and that it accepts messages from unknown users. It is also your responsibility to ensure accurate information is provided and updated as required.

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.

Preference
Preference will be given to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, with the exception of a job located in Nunavut, where Nunavut Inuit will be appointed first.
We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.

 
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