Job Description

Natural Resources Canada - Lands & Minerals Sector - Geological Survey of Canada - GSC-Central


Ottawa (Ontario)


This MSc Bursary will start in January 2026 and end in December 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 2 years (6 semesters).
For further information on the organization, please visit Natural Resources Canada


Video: The application process step by step!

Closing date: 30 September 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:

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 a 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

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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

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We are seeking a highly motivated M.Sc. student in Hydrogeology/Mathematical Modelling/Geological Engineering to model groundwater flow and heat transport in a dynamic hydrogeological setting using the finite element Heatflow-Smoker code and the Tecplot graphics package. The work will broaden an existing 2D model developed for a six-borehole calibration test site in Ottawa by integrating more realistic boundary conditions and a new fracture characterization dataset. Model calibration will be carried out using existing borehole fluid temperature profiles and groundwater flow measurements. The aim will be to then scale the model to a mine-scale (conceptually based on a region of the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan) with added heat sources (representing theoretical uranium deposits) to simulate the impacts on temperature profiles and assess what borehole logging techniques can capture these various thermal perturbations to support future exploration. A further consideration is the influence multiple interconnected boreholes may have on the flow system and the ability to determine radiogenic thermal signatures in a dynamic hydrogeological setting.



The candidate will be based at Laval Univerisity, Quebec, Canada and will be expected to regularly attend group meetings at Laval, actively collaborate with the research team in Ottawa, and contribute to publishing results in peer-reviewed journals. This study forms part of ongoing research at the GSC into the use of hydrogeophysical logging to support mineral exploration in dynamic and fractured hydrogeological settings.

Work environment

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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

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The intention is to staff one student position for the completion of an M.Sc. degree supervised by Dr. John Molson (Ph. D) at Laval University (Quebec) and Heather Crow, P.Eng. at the Geological Survey of Canada (Ottawa).

Positions to be filled:

1

Information you must provide

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Your resume.


A covering letter "of approximately 500 words, outlining your interest and specifically detailing how you meet the essential education and experience qualifications listed below (please include how, when, and where this education and experience was obtained)."


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)

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Essential Education:

Students who are currently enrolled or eligible to enroll in a MSc program at Laval University, specializing in either or both Hydrogeology or Geological Engineering 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. Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution, with acceptable specialization in engineering, geology or some other science relevant to the position. 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:

Quantitative hydrogeology. Handling large datasets. PC WinOS (and possibly Unix) and graphics software environments. Some experience with R, Matlab and/or Fortran would be useful but not necessary. Working individually and in teams.

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

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English essential


Information on language requirements


Essential Knowledge:

Knowledge of geological principles, including mineral deposit systems. Knowledge of hydrogeological and geophysical principles. Knowledge of the concepts of 2D and 3D visualisation.
Essential Abilities and Skills:

Good judgement in assessing model scenarios/results. Ability to write scientific reports in English Ability to communicate effectively in English. Ability to work with a diverse team.

Conditions of employment

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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/or meetings.
Be in possession of a valid driver's license.


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

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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

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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.