Project description
Proterozoic anorthosite suites constitute a potential metallotect for Ni-Cu-Co-EGP deposits (e.g., Voisey’s Bay, Labrador). Almost all of the Proterozoic anorthosite suites in eastern Canada are located in the Grenville Province, where they represent approximately 10% of the area. The largest suites formed at 1.16–1.13 Ga, prior to the Grenville continental collision, but the tectonic context during their formation remains unclear and may have influenced their prospectivity. However, data on metamorphic evolution in the Grenville Province are sporadic, which hinders exploration of mineralization associated with these suites.
The objective of the project is to establish the metamorphic context preceding the emplacement of the Lac-Saint-Jean, Vallant, and Havre-Saint-Pierre–Sheldrake anorthosite suites to test whether multiple geodynamic contexts are required to explain the formation of the 1.16–1.13 Ga anorthosite suites in the Grenville Province. The research will involve a combination of fieldwork in amphibolite to granulite facies metamorphic rocks, detailed petrography (supported by μXRF and SEM-EDS analyses), thermobarometry and/or phase equilibrium modeling, and various petrochronological approaches (in situ U-Pb on monazite, zircon, or xenotime; Lu-Hf on garnet). The postdoctoral fellow will collaborate with a PhD student supervised by Sarah Dare (UQAC), whose work will focus specifically on Ni-Cu-Co-EGP mineralization associated with anorthosite suites, and with geologists from the Quebec Ministry of Natural Resources and Forests.
Start date
May 2026
Research supervision
Renaud Soucy La Roche, INRS Professor
Salary
$55,000 per year for 2 years.
Required qualifications
- PhD in Earth sciences, geological engineering or equivalent.
- Fieldwork experience in deformed high-metamorphic grade rocks.
- Strong experience in metamorphic petrology and/or petrochronology.
- Fluency in English (reading, speaking, writing)
- Fluency in French is an asset
Work place
Institut national de la recherche scientifique
Centre Eau Terre Environnement
490, de la Couronne
Québec (Quebec) G1K 9A9
Commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
Professor Soucy La Roche encourages all qualified individuals to apply, especially women, members of visible and ethnic minorities, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of LGBTQ2+ communities or others who identify with socially and/or economically marginalized groups. Special circumstances and non-traditional backgrounds will be considered in the evaluation of applications. Professor Soucy La Roche is committed to supervising the candidate in the language of their choice (English or French) to overcome language barriers and to encourage their inclusion in the research team.
To apply
Questions: Candidates are invited to contact Professor Soucy La Roche directly by email with any questions about the project or the study environment.
Please use the form below to send your application including the following documents in PDF: 1) Cover letter describing your experiences and research interests and if needed, explaining any special circumstances relevant to the evaluation of the application; 2) Names and contact information of three references; 3) CV; 4) Academic transcripts (unofficial accepted).