Government of Canada
GC Jobs

M.Sc. - Investigating the Timing and Conditions of Metamorphism near Dryden, Ontario - Research Affiliate Program

Reference number: RSN24J-084208-000254
Selection process number: 2024-RSN-EA-LMS-620790
Natural Resources Canada - Lands and Minerals Sector - Geological Survey of Canada - GSC-Central Canada
Ottawa (Ontario)
This M.Sc. RAP Bursary will start on September 2, 2024 and end on August 31, 2026.
Scholarship of $24,000/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 two-year period (six semesters).

For further information on the organization, please visit Natural Resources Canada

Closing date: 30 April 2024 - 23:59, Pacific Time

Who can apply: Persons residing in Canada, and Canadian citizens and Permanent residents abroad.

Students who are currently enrolled or eligible to enroll in an M.Sc. program at Carleton University, specializing in metamorphic petrology and/or geochronology, are invited to submit their applications for this program. Proof will be required before the start date.

To be considered for RAP opportunities, students must be:
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; AND
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.

Assessment accommodation

Duties

We are seeking a highly motivated M.Sc. student in metamorphic petrology/ geochronology/ petrochronology to investigate the conditions and timing of metamorphism in the Dryden area of Ontario, where lithium-bearing pegmatites are hosted by metasedimentary and metavolcanic rocks. These host rocks display a wide range of metamorphic grades, from greenschist-facies (chlorite stable), through amphibolite-facies (garnet stable), to granulite-facies (sillimanite stable), where high temperature conditions may have involved partial melting. The candidate will be based at Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada, and will be expected to regularly attend group meetings at Carleton University and the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) in Ottawa, actively collaborate with the research team, and publish results in peer-reviewed journals. The position will involve laboratory analyses at Carleton University and the GSC, as well as fieldwork in the summer of 2025. This study forms part of ongoing research at the GSC into the genesis and tectonic setting of lithium-bearing pegmatites, with implications for exploration targeting.

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.

Intent of the process

The intention is to staff one student position for the completion of an M.Sc. degree supervised by Drs. Tarryn Cawood and Jamie Cutts at the Geological Survey of Canada (Ottawa) and Dr. Fred Gaidies at Carleton University (Ottawa).

Positions to be filled: 1

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter "A cover letter of approximately 500 words outlining your interest in the position and relevant education and experience."

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

Essential Education:
• Graduated with a B.Sc. in Earth Science, Geology, or related discipline from a recognized post-secondary institution. (see degree equivalency for more information: https://www.canada.ca/en/public-service-commission/jobs/services/gc-jobs/degree-equivalency.html)

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:
• Petrographic descriptions of thin sections.
• Working independently and in teams

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

English essential

Information on language requirements

Essential Knowledge:
• Strong basic knowledge in metamorphic petrology, including the identification of metamorphic minerals in hand sample and with a petrographic microscope.
• Knowledge of geochronology, particularly radiometric dating in geological contexts.

Essential Abilities and Skills:
• Good written communication skills in English.
• Good oral communication skills in English.

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.
• Ability to travel for fieldwork, conferences, and/or meetings.
• Be in possession of a valid driver’s license.
• The duration of the project will be 2 years between 2024 and 2026.

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 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.

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.

Contact information

Lainie Henry - HR Advisor
lainie.henry@nrcan-rncan.gc.ca
Date modified:
2026-08-18