PhD Student: Spatial modeling of seismic parameters, Saguenay-Charlevoix

Natural Resources Canada - Lands and Minerals Sector, Geological Survey of Canada, GSC-Quebec
Québec (Québec)
This PhD study will start in September 2025 and end in March 31, 2028.
Bursary of $28,000/year paid in 3 equal instalments each year.
For further information on the organization, please visit Natural Resources Canada

Geological Survey of Canada
Research Affiliate Program
Closing date: 30 June 2025 - 23:5+, Pacific Time

Who can apply: Persons residing in Canada, and Canadian citizens and Permanent residents abroad.
Students enrolled or able to enroll in a in the Interuniversity PhD in applied sciences from the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi (QC, Canada). Proof will be required before the start date.

To be considered for RAP opportunities:
1. you are a full-time student in a post-secondary institution. This includes students with physical or emotional disabilities deemed to have full-time status by their academic institution. Adult students registered in education and retraining programs at the secondary level may also be eligible for student employment programs.
2. you are enrolled in an academic program that requires research as part of your curriculum.
3. you meet the minimum age required in the province/territory of work.
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

Duties
Local geological conditions can significantly affect the amplitude and frequency content of incoming seismic waves. This results in considerable short-distance spatial variations of the intensity of ground shaking. The shear wave velocity of surficial sediments (Vs) and the fundamental site period (To) are key ‘site parameters’ widely used to evaluate the local seismic site response. Vs is a measure of the mechanical property of soils and defines the shear modulus and soil behavior at small strain amplitudes. Vs of the top 30 m of soil is recommended in building code provisions to estimate of the maximum expected lateral force at the base of the structure due to seismic activity. Proportional to the ratio between the thickness of the soil column and the average Vs, To indicates the period where resonance amplification occurs at levels greater than the broadband amplification.

To evaluate Vs and To, excellent knowledge of surficial geology, spatial distribution, and sufficient Vs measurements in surficial units are required. This is a challenging issue at urban and regional scales since field measurements are often limited in number and sparsely distributed. The local clustering of field data can lead to biased results since the lack of representativeness can contribute to overestimation of their importance elsewhere.

The main objective of the present research is twofold: a) to determine the stratigraphic architecture and spatial distribution and heterogeneity of unconsolidated units, and b) to generate Vs and To maps in the transportation corridor between Saguenay, Tadoussac, and Quebec City. Existing geological knowledge and field measurements for the study region will be used (e.g., Ministère de l’Environnement du Québec; Ministère des Transports du Québec; Ministère des Ressources naturelles Canada, etc). The surficial soils will be grouped into major units: glacial sediments and fine and coarse post-glacial sediments. Geostatistical modelling will be applied to provide uncertainty information on the variable outcomes, such as thickness of the different sediment units in this case. To fill the gaps in the local field measurements, auxiliary variables will be also integrated, such as interpretations of geological maps, derivatives of digital elevation models and remote sensing data. Representative interval Vs±s functions with depth will be assigned to the surficial units to calculate the spatial distribution of the local site parameters, Vs and To.

The successful candidate will enroll in Interuniversity PhD in applied sciences from the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi. 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
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.

Intent of the process
The intention is to staff one student position for the completion of a PhD student position in applied sciences at the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi on modelling the spatial distribution of seismic parameters in the Saguenay - Tadoussac - Quebec sector.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide
Your résumé.

A covering letter "outlining your motivation for undertaking doctoral studies in applied sciences and this research project in geostatistical modelling, and indicating your areas of research in which you have knowledge and/or experience."

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

The candidate must currently have a Master degree in Earth sciences, engineering or equivalent from a recognized Canadian or foreign university.
The candidate must demonstrate his/her motivation on pursuing graduate studies.
Degree equivalency

Experience in applied geostatistics*.
Experience in geological modelling*.
Experience in seismic data processing*.
Experience in Python or Matlab programming*.
Relevant experience of acquiring, organising and analysing geological data in a Geographic Information System (GIS) and 3D modelling environment.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 may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)
Knowledge of scientific concepts in geostatistics, geological modelling, geology and seismology.
Knowledge of programming and 3D modeling.
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.
Motivation and dynamism
Autonomy and proactivity
Integrity and professionalism
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 PhD in applied sciences from the Université du Québec à Chicoutimi. and registered for the Winter 2025 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.

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
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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