Origin of Lithium pegmatites in Nova Scotia - Research Affiliate Program

Employment and Social Development Canada; Halifax; On-site; CAD 21,000; Full time

Job summary

A federal government department is seeking a Research Affiliate for a four-month project in Halifax. The candidate will study lithium pegmatites and their geological characteristics. Required qualifications include enrollment in a geology program and relevant experience in igneous petrology. The position involves research, analysis, and publication efforts, while offering competitive compensation and an inclusive work environment.

Qualifications

• Must provide proof of education credentials.
• Experience can be gained through educational project work.

Responsibilities

• Investigate parental melt compositions of BLP pegmatites.
• Assess regional geological models for LCT pegmatite.
• Publish results in peer-reviewed journals.

Skills

Experience in igneous petrology

Experience in melt inclusion analysis

Experience in U–Pb geochronology

Experience in laboratory sample preparation

Education

Currently enrolled at Saint Mary’s University in Geology

Job description

Origin of Lithium pegmatites in Nova Scotia - Research Affiliate Program - Research Affiliate Program

Reference number : RSN25J-151896-000580

Selection process number : 2025-RSN-EA-LMS-647981

Natural Resources Canada- Lands and Minerals Sector – Geological Survey of Canada - Atlantic Division

This is a student position requiring 37.5 hours per week, for a duration of four months, beginning in Septemberof 2025.

20,355 (Salary of $20,355 based on (Step 2) hourly rate for PhD candidates of $32.31 / hr, from September 2nd to December 31, 2025.)

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

Closing date : 25 July 2025 - 23 : 59, Pacific Time

Who can apply : 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. (proof will be required).
• Be the minimum age to work in the province or territory where the job is located.

Apply online

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.

The Brazil Lake Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum (LCT) pegmatite (BLP) and nearby, recently discovered Li-bearing pegmatite occurrences in southwestern Nova Scotia are active exploration targets owing to increased demand for Li. However, there remains a need for a comprehensive mineral systems model to guide this exploration. As part of an ongoing project under the Geological Survey of Canada’s Critical Mineral and Geoscience Data (CMGD) initiative, the successful candidate will leverage their experience in igneous petrology and geochronology to (1) investigate the parental melt compositions of the BLP pegmatites using melt inclusion analysis, U–Pb geochronology, and trace-element / isotopic analysis of accessory phases (e.g., zircon), and (2), using these data, assess regional geological models for LCT pegmatite melt generation and emplacement in southwestern Nova Scotia. The resulting data will be published by the candidate in peer-reviewed journals with the support of the co-supervisors and project partners.

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.

The four-month project will be co-supervised by Jared Butler of the Geological Survey of Canada–Atlantic Division and Dr. Jacob Hanley at Saint Mary’s University. The student will work both on site, at the GSC-A office in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, and at Saint Mary’s University, subject to research requirements.

Positions to be filled : 1

Information you must provide

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

Education :

• Currently enrolled or willing to enroll at Saint Mary’s University with a specialization in Geology that requires research as part of the curriculum

Experience :

• Experience in igneous petrology
• Experience in melt inclusion analysis
• Experience in U–Pb geochronology and trace-element chemistry
• Experience in laboratory sample preparation and analyses

Note : In the context of student recruitment in the Federal Public Service, the experience can be acquired through the

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

Knowledge :

• Knowledge of the geology of Nova Scotia
• Knowledge of critical minerals and associated deposit types

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.

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.

You must provide proof of your education credentials.

Persons are entitled to participate in the appointment process in the official language(s) 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.

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.

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Origin of Lithium pegmatites in Nova Scotia - Research Affiliate Program - Research Affiliate Program

Reference number : RSN25J-151896-000580

Selection process number : 2025-RSN-EA-LMS-647981 Natural Resources Canada- Lands and Minerals Sector – Geological Survey of Canada - Atlantic Division

This is a student position requiring 37.5 hours per week, for a duration of four months, beginning in Septemberof 2025.

20,355 (Salary of $20,355 based on (Step 2) hourly rate for PhD candidates of $32.31 / hr, from September 2nd to December 31, 2025.)

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

Closing date : 25 July 2025 - 23 : 59, Pacific Time

Who can apply : 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. (proof will be required).
• Be the minimum age to work in the province or territory where the job is located.

Apply online

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 Brazil Lake Lithium-Cesium-Tantalum (LCT) pegmatite (BLP) and nearby, recently discovered Li-bearing pegmatite occurrences in southwestern Nova Scotia are active exploration targets owing to increased demand for Li. However, there remains a need for a comprehensive mineral systems model to guide this exploration. As part of an ongoing project under the Geological Survey of Canada’s Critical Mineral and Geoscience Data (CMGD) initiative, the successful candidate will leverage their experience in igneous petrology and geochronology to (1) investigate the parental melt compositions of the BLP pegmatites using melt inclusion analysis, U–Pb geochronology, and trace-element / isotopic analysis of accessory phases (e.g., zircon), and (2), using these data, assess regional geological models for LCT pegmatite melt generation and emplacement in southwestern Nova Scotia. The resulting data will be published by the candidate in peer-reviewed journals with the support of the co-supervisors and project partners.

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.

The four-month project will be co-supervised by Jared Butler of the Geological Survey of Canada–Atlantic Division and Dr. Jacob Hanley at Saint Mary’s University. The student will work both on site, at the GSC-A office in Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, and at Saint Mary’s University, subject to research requirements.

Positions to be filled : 1

Information you must provide

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

Education :

• Currently enrolled or willing to enroll at Saint Mary’s University with a specialization in Geology that requires research as part of the curriculum

Degree equivalency

Experience :

• Experience in igneous petrology
• Experience in melt inclusion analysis
• Experience in U–Pb geochronology and trace-element chemistry
• Experience in laboratory sample preparation and analyses

Note : In the context of student recruitment in the Federal Public Service, the experience can be acquired through the

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

Information on language requirements

Knowledge :

• Knowledge of the geology of Nova Scotia
• Knowledge of critical minerals and associated deposit types

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.

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(s) 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.

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.

Contact information