PhD on Stochastic recharge modelling in Abitibi - Québec City, Canada - Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat

Description

PhD on Stochastic recharge modelling in Abitibi - Research Affiliate Program

Reference number: RSN24J
Selection process number: 2024-RSN-EA-LMS Natural Resources Canada - Geological Survey of Canada - Lands and Minerals Sector - GSC-Quebec
Québec (Québec)
This PhD will start in September 2024 and end in September 2028.
Bursary of $28,000/year for 4 years, paid in 3 equal instalments each year.

For further information on the organization, please visit

Closing date: 8 July :59, 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 mineral engineering program at Polytechnique Montréal (Québec, 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

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.

Duties

Atmospheric pollutant emissions pose a risk of aquifer contamination in many parts of Canada. Once deposited on the land, these pollutants can infiltrate aquifer systems during groundwater recharge. However, in situ measurement of this recharge remains complex. A deterministic estimate of the spatial distribution of recharge can be made based on the annual water budget. However, this approach does not take into account the uncertainty associated with recharge flows, which can have a significant impact on the results of hydrogeological and mass transport modelling.
The main objective of this research is to develop a stochastic approach using the HELP deterministic model, a model for hydrological assessment of landfill performance, and apply it specifically to the Abitibi-Témiscamingue region. In collaboration with UQAT, the project will benefit from the results of two previous PACES projects, both of which were aimed at acquiring groundwater knowledge, including access to a 3D digital geological model at a regional scale. The addition of a stochastic aspect to the deterministic model will allow the uncertainty to be quantified in order to precisely define the main recharge zones, thus improving the understanding of the vulnerability of the resource with a view to better protection. The analysis of the impact of uncertainty on recharge will also be extended to transport processes, enriching our understanding of hydrogeological processes in the region.
The successful candidate will enroll in Interuniversity PhD mineral engineering program at Polytechnique Montréal. 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 Mineral Engineering at Polytechnique Montréal on stochastic recharge modeling in Abitibi, Quebec.

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter "outlining your motivation for undertaking doctoral studies in mineral engineering and this research project in stochastic modelling, and indicating your research areas 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

Essential Education:

• The candidate must currently have a Master degree in Earth sciences or equivalent from a recognized Canadian or foreign university.

• The candidate must demonstrate his/her motivation on pursuing graduate studies.
Degree equivalency

Experience:
- Experience in applied geostatistics*.
- Experience in hydrological or hydrogeological modeling*.
- Experience in Python* programming.
- Relevant experience in the acquisition, organization and analysis of geological data in 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.

Knowledge:
- Knowledge of scientific concepts in geostatistics, hydrological or hydrogeological modeling, geology and geography.
- Knowledge of programming and 3D modeling.

Abilities:

• 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.

Personal suitabilities:

• Motivation and dynamism

• Autonomy and proactivity

• Integrity and professionalism

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

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 Ph.D. program in Mineral Engineering at Polytechnique in Montreal (QC, Canada). and registered for the Summer 2024 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.

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).

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 .

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.