Tailings Geochemist

Canadian Natural; Calgary; On-site; CAD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Canadian Natural is seeking a senior geochemist/biogeochemist to lead geochemical programs for tailings management, closure planning, and regulatory compliance at the Albian oil sands asset in Calgary. The role requires a strong background in ARD/ML, modelling, and field programs with travel to site.

The candidate will mentor junior staff, manage consultants and budgets, and interact with multidisciplinary teams to ensure risk-informed technical work aligned with regulatory objectives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Geochemistry, Biogeochemistry, Geology, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline.
• Master's degree in Geochemistry, Hydrogeochemistry, Environmental Geochemistry, or a related field is considered an asset.
• Professional designation (P.Geo. or P.Eng.) registered or eligible for registration with APEGA, if applicable.
• 10+ years of relevant experience in geochemistry, mine water, tailings, reclamation, or closure planning.
• Demonstrated experience in ARD/ML assessment, water quality prediction, geochemical modelling, and mine waste characterization.
• Experience managing consultants, technical studies, and field programs.
• Knowledge of Alberta's oil sands, tailings management, and closure regulatory environment is considered an asset.
• Strong communication, project management, and stakeholder engagement skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead geochemical characterization and monitoring programs for materials and landforms.
• Support detailed closure landform designs, long range closure plans, and mine water management strategies.
• Develop and review geochemical models using tools such as PHREEQC, GoldSim, and MODFLOW.
• Develop and review technical reports and regulatory content pertaining to geochemistry.
• Manage consultants, laboratories, budgets, schedules, and associated technical deliverables.
• Mentor junior technical staff and support professional development.
• A periodic field presence is required to support characterization and monitoring programs.

Skills

Geochemistry

Biogeochemistry

Regulatory compliance

Stakeholder engagement

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Geochemistry or related field

Master's degree in Geochemistry or related field

Professional designation (P.Geo. or P.Eng.) with APEGA

Tools

PHREEQC

GoldSim

MODFLOW

Job description

The Opportunity:

At Canadian Natural, we are proud to be a leader in Canada's energy industry. Join our team and help shape sustainable mine closure solutions through technical excellence, innovation, and collaboration.

We are looking for a geochemist or biogeochemist to support tailings management, closure planning, closure designs, and regulatory compliance at our Albian oil sands asset. This role serves as the technical lead for geochemistry, providing expertise in geochemical characterization, acid rock drainage (ARD), metal leaching (ML), and geochemical modelling while ensuring technical work is risk-informed, and is aligned with business and regulatory objectives.

• Job location: Calgary, Alberta *

• Shift schedule: 5 x 2, 8-hour shifts

• Safety sensitive position: Yes

• Application deadline: September 9, 2026

*Please note, this position will require regular travel to site

Key Accountabilities:

• Work together with multidisciplinary technical teams supporting planning, design, operations, and closure of the Muskeg River and Jackpine Mines

• Lead geochemical characterization and monitoring programs for various materials and landforms.

• Support detailed closure landform designs, long range closure plans, and mine water management strategies

• Interpret, apply, and report on geochemical testing results and field monitoring data (ABA, NAG, humidity cells, column tests, leach tests, mineralogical analyses, water quality analyses)

• Develop and review geochemical models using tools such as PHREEQC, GoldSim, and MODFLOW

• Develop and review technical reports and regulatory content pertaining to geochemistry

• Manage consultants, laboratories, budgets, schedules, and associated technical deliverables

• Mentor junior technical staff and support professional development

• A periodic field presence is required to support characterization and monitoring programs

What You Bring to the Role:

• Bachelor's degree in Geochemistry, Biogeochemistry, Geology, Environmental Science, Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related discipline

• Master's degree in Geochemistry, Hydrogeochemistry, Environmental Geochemistry, or a related field is considered an asset

• Professional designation (P.Geo. or P.Eng.) registered or eligible for registration with APEGA, if applicable

• 10+ years of relevant experience in geochemistry, mine water, tailings, reclamation, or closure planning

• Demonstrated experience in ARD/ML assessment, water quality prediction, geochemical modelling, and mine waste characterization

• Experience managing consultants, technical studies, and field programs

• Knowledge of Alberta's oil sands, tailings management, and closure regulatory environment is considered an asset

• Strong communication, project management, and stakeholder engagement skills