PhD/Master Student

Natural Resources Canada - Lands and Minerals Sector
Ottawa (Ontario)
A preferred start date of June 1, 2025, with flexibility for an earlier or later start, provided it does not extend beyond September 2025.
Students receive a bursary of $25,000 per year, payable in equal installments three times a year.
For further information on the organization, please visit Natural Resources Canada

For further information on the Research Affiliate Program (RAP), please visit: RAP Website

Closing date: 16 June 2025 - 23:5+, Pacific Time

Who can apply: Persons residing in Canada, and Canadian citizens and Permanent residents abroad.
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
The student will engage in research aimed at optimizing flotation collector performance, with a particular focus on enhancing efficiency under varying temperature conditions. This may involve modifying existing collectors (e.g., fatty acids) or synthesizing new, selective collectors to improve flotation outcomes. Laboratory work will include developing and testing collectors, followed by flotation tests conducted at CanmetMINING. To further analyze the results, advanced surface characterization techniques (ToF-SIMS, SEM, etc.) will be employed at specialized facilities, such as Surface Science Western or other universities with suitable facilities. The candidate will be supported by a team of experienced chemists, professors, academic supervisors from partnering universities, and seasoned scientists and mineral processing researchers at CanmetMINING.

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.

Position locations: Research activities will be divided between Ottawa, Ontario and the location of the university of acceptance. Possible additional locations include London, Ontario; Vancouver, British Columbia; Quebec City, Quebec; or Kingston, Ontario.

The candidate will carry out a portion of the research in CanmetMINING in Ottawa, Ontario.

Intent of the process
The intention is to staff one (1) to three (3) student positions for the completion of a Master or a PhD degree.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide
Your résumé.

A covering letter "Cover letter explaining why the student wants to pursue studies, why he/she wants to tackle this project as well as explaining why his/her application should be considered. The maximum length of the cover letter must be two pages."

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)
EDUCATION
Currently enrolled or willing to enroll as a Master or a PhD student in one of the following fields: chemistry, mineral processing engineering, materials engineering or chemical engineering.

Graduation with a Master's degree in one of the following fields: chemistry, mineral processing engineering, materials engineering or chemical engineering OR graduation with a Bachelor's Degree in chemistry, mineral processing engineering, materials engineering or chemical engineering.

The applicant will spend approximately 50% of their study time in Ottawa at 555 Booth Street, with the remaining time at a Canadian university. Potential institutions include Western University, the University of British Columbia, Université Laval, Queen’s University, or others, depending on the research focus. This corresponds to locations such as London, Vancouver, Quebec City, Kingston, or other parts of Canada.
Degree equivalency

EXPERIENCE
The candidate should have experience in at least one of the following disciplines: molecular chemistry, inorganic chemistry, mineral processing, extractive metallurgy or chemical engineering.

Note: In the context of student recruitment in the Federal Public Service, the experience can be acquired through the studies, work experience, or volunteer activities.
The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)
English essential

Information on language requirements

KNOWLEDGE
Strong knowledge in at least one of the following disciplines: molecular chemistry, inorganic chemistry, mineral processing, extractive metallurgy or chemical engineering.
Personal Suitability
Interpersonal Skills
Results Oriented
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

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, and therefore will be asked by the hiring organization to complete security-relevant documents.

To be considered for Research Affiliate Program (RAP) work opportunities, you must meet the following criteria:
Persons residing in Canada and Canadian citizens residing abroad.
Be recognized as having full-time student status by the post-secondary academic institution at which you are currently enrolled. (A proof will be required).
Be the minimum age to work in the province or territory where the job is located.
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.

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.

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. This will include communication of screening results and invitations to written tests and interviews. To that end, 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). It is also the candidate's 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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