M.Sc. Crustal evolution of the Alberta basement and its influence on metallogenic potential.
Top Benefits
About the role
Natural Resources Canada - Lands and Minerals Sector – Geological Survey of Canada - North Division
Kelowna (British Columbia)
It is expected that the student will work part-time hours for a two-year period (six semesters). This M.Sc. RAP Bursary will start on September 2, 2025 and end on March 31, 2027, with the possibility of extension.
Bursary of $24,000/year divided into 3 equal installments each year.
For further information on the organization, please visit Natural Resources Canada
Closing date: 25 June 2025 - 23:59, Pacific Time
Who can apply: Persons residing in Canada, and Canadian Citizens and permanent residents abroad.
To be considered for RAP opportunities, students must be:
- 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;
- The minimum age to work in the province or territory where the job is located; and
- 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
Duties
We are seeking a highly motivated M.Sc. student in tectonics and geochronology to investigate the metallogenic potential of the crystalline basement beneath the Alberta basin. The lithospheric architecture of Archean and Paleoproterozoic terranes are critical to the occurrence, distribution, and continuity of mineral deposits and are fundamental first-order constraints for ore systems models. There is a paucity of information in northern Alberta, where the basement crust is largely overlain by the Western Canada Sedimentary basin. This region is highly prospective and holds significant potential for a range of mineral resources (diamond, Au, Ni, Cu, He, Li, Pb, REE, U, Zn, REE) due to its recent correlation to northern crustal blocks in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut that host known occurrences of Ni-Cu-PGE mineralization. This project will investigate the crustal evolution of the basement beneath the Alberta basin with a focus on characterizing the age and evolution of igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic units preserved in archived drill-core and relate these results to proposed and ongoing mineral exploration targets.
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.
The candidate will work in laboratory settings as part of their research program.
Intent of the process
The intention is to staff one student position for the completion of an M.Sc. degree, specializing in igneous or metamorphic petrology, sedimentology, tectonics or geochronology, supervised by Drs. Jamie Cutts and Daniele Regis at the Geological Survey of Canada (Ottawa) and Dr. Brendan Van Dyck at The University of British Columbia - Okanagan (Kelowna).
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)
Education:
- Currently enrolled, or willing to enroll, in an M.Sc. program at the University of British Columbia – Okanagan Campus, with specialization in igneous or metamorphic petrology, sedimentology, tectonics or geochronology, are invited to submit their applications for this program. Proof will be required before the start date.
Degree equivalency
Experience:
The successful candidates are expected to have experience in:
-
Experience in optical microscopy and petrographic descriptions of thin sections,
-
Course experience in isotope geochemistry or geochronology
In the context of student recruitment in the federal public service, experience can be acquired through 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:
- Knowledge of major rock-forming minerals in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks and their diagnostic properties.
- Knowledge of geochronology (radiometric dating) as applied to geology.
Abilities:
- Ability to work in a team.
- Ability to identify minerals in hand-sample and with a petrographic microscope.
- Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
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. The student will be asked by the hiring organization to complete security-related documents prior to hiring.
- Ability to travel within Canada for sample acquisition, conferences, or meetings.
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.
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).
An interview may be administered.
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/.
Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice.
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.
About Natural Resources Canada
Natural Resources Canada develops policies and programs that enhance the contribution of the natural resources sector to the economy, improve the quality of life for all Canadians and conduct innovative science in facilities across Canada to generate ideas and transfer technologies. We also represent Canada at the international level to meet the country's global commitments related to the sustainable development of natural resources.
M.Sc. Crustal evolution of the Alberta basement and its influence on metallogenic potential.
Top Benefits
About the role
Natural Resources Canada - Lands and Minerals Sector – Geological Survey of Canada - North Division
Kelowna (British Columbia)
It is expected that the student will work part-time hours for a two-year period (six semesters). This M.Sc. RAP Bursary will start on September 2, 2025 and end on March 31, 2027, with the possibility of extension.
Bursary of $24,000/year divided into 3 equal installments each year.
For further information on the organization, please visit Natural Resources Canada
Closing date: 25 June 2025 - 23:59, Pacific Time
Who can apply: Persons residing in Canada, and Canadian Citizens and permanent residents abroad.
To be considered for RAP opportunities, students must be:
- 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;
- The minimum age to work in the province or territory where the job is located; and
- 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
Duties
We are seeking a highly motivated M.Sc. student in tectonics and geochronology to investigate the metallogenic potential of the crystalline basement beneath the Alberta basin. The lithospheric architecture of Archean and Paleoproterozoic terranes are critical to the occurrence, distribution, and continuity of mineral deposits and are fundamental first-order constraints for ore systems models. There is a paucity of information in northern Alberta, where the basement crust is largely overlain by the Western Canada Sedimentary basin. This region is highly prospective and holds significant potential for a range of mineral resources (diamond, Au, Ni, Cu, He, Li, Pb, REE, U, Zn, REE) due to its recent correlation to northern crustal blocks in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut that host known occurrences of Ni-Cu-PGE mineralization. This project will investigate the crustal evolution of the basement beneath the Alberta basin with a focus on characterizing the age and evolution of igneous, sedimentary, or metamorphic units preserved in archived drill-core and relate these results to proposed and ongoing mineral exploration targets.
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.
The candidate will work in laboratory settings as part of their research program.
Intent of the process
The intention is to staff one student position for the completion of an M.Sc. degree, specializing in igneous or metamorphic petrology, sedimentology, tectonics or geochronology, supervised by Drs. Jamie Cutts and Daniele Regis at the Geological Survey of Canada (Ottawa) and Dr. Brendan Van Dyck at The University of British Columbia - Okanagan (Kelowna).
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)
Education:
- Currently enrolled, or willing to enroll, in an M.Sc. program at the University of British Columbia – Okanagan Campus, with specialization in igneous or metamorphic petrology, sedimentology, tectonics or geochronology, are invited to submit their applications for this program. Proof will be required before the start date.
Degree equivalency
Experience:
The successful candidates are expected to have experience in:
-
Experience in optical microscopy and petrographic descriptions of thin sections,
-
Course experience in isotope geochemistry or geochronology
In the context of student recruitment in the federal public service, experience can be acquired through 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:
- Knowledge of major rock-forming minerals in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks and their diagnostic properties.
- Knowledge of geochronology (radiometric dating) as applied to geology.
Abilities:
- Ability to work in a team.
- Ability to identify minerals in hand-sample and with a petrographic microscope.
- Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.
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. The student will be asked by the hiring organization to complete security-related documents prior to hiring.
- Ability to travel within Canada for sample acquisition, conferences, or meetings.
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.
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).
An interview may be administered.
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/.
Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language of their choice.
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.
About Natural Resources Canada
Natural Resources Canada develops policies and programs that enhance the contribution of the natural resources sector to the economy, improve the quality of life for all Canadians and conduct innovative science in facilities across Canada to generate ideas and transfer technologies. We also represent Canada at the international level to meet the country's global commitments related to the sustainable development of natural resources.