Phd: Study of Critical Metals

Natural Resources Canada - Lands and Minerals Sector, Geological Survey of Canada, GSC-Quebec
Québec (Québec)
This scholarship starts on September 1st, 2025 and will end on March 31st, 2027.
Student will receive $28,000/year, payable in equal instalments three times a year.
For further information on the organization, please visit Natural Resources Canada
- Geological Survey of Canada
- Research Affiliate Program

**Closing date: 30 April 2025 - 23:59, Pacific Time**

**Who can apply**: Students accepted and registered by the date of appointment in an PhD research program in Earth Sciences at the INRS Eau Terre Environnement Centre. Proof will be required before the start date of September 1, 2025.

You are eligible for this program if you meet these 3 requirements:
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.

Assessment accommodation

**Duties**:
Magmatic alkaline rocks are recognized as key hosts for critical metals, including rare earth elements (REE). These metals are essential for advancing renewable energy technologies, electric vehicles, and high-performance electronics, making their exploration and characterization a national priority.
We are seeking a highly motivated PhD student to conduct a systematic study on the distribution of critical elements in alkaline rocks, with the goal of identifying underexplored mineralization potential in Quebec. This research will employ advanced geochemical, and petrological methods to evaluate the processes responsible for metal enrichment in these unique igneous systems, with direct implications for mineral exploration and economic geology.

The alkaline igneous rocks of Quebec are of particular interest due to their formation from exotic melts, which can lead to significant accumulations of critical metals.

Their unusual mineralogical composition and geochemical signatures make them prime exploration targets. Notably, the Grenville Province in Quebec hosts several alkaline complexes with strong economic potential, providing an ideal setting for this study.

This project aims to:
Characterize the petrogenesis and magma evolution of alkaline rocks in Quebec.
Investigate metal enrichment mechanisms and their relation to magmatic processes.
Develop interdisciplinary models integrating field observations, geochemical signatures, and large-scale geological processes.
Provide insights for critical metal exploration strategies to support sustainable resource development in Canada.

By integrating igneous petrology, mineral chemistry, and geochemistry, this research will develop a comprehensive framework for assessing the metallogenic potential of Quebec’s alkaline rock formations.

**Work environment**:
The INRS Eau Terre Environnement Center is located in downtown Quebec City, in the new technology district. For more than 30 years, the Center has maintained a close scientific collaboration with the Quebec division of the Geological Survey of Canada (Natural Resources Canada), forming the Quebec Geoscientific Hub, one of the largest multidisciplinary geoscientific research groups in Canada. INRS and the GSC have several laboratories in common and co-supervision of master's and doctoral research are also common among these two research partners. The INRS-ETE Master's Program in Earth Sciences is offered jointly with the Department of Geology and Geological Engineering at Laval University, providing access to a broader range of courses and scientific expertise.

A graduate studies program undertaken in collaboration with Natural Resources Canada 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