EcoRemNunavik collaborative research project
Background: The recent rapid economic development of the circumpolar region, coupled with the use of petroleum hydrocarbons as the main source of energy, has led to numerous accidental diesel spills in the heart of Inuit communities. Available treatment technologies generally prove either too costly, or technically impossible to implement because they are not adapted to the local context. Operating conditions are very difficult due to climate, field constraints and limited local resources. As mentioned by the Kativik Regional Government (KRG), partner and instigator of the project, Nunavik needs an effective alternative solution adapted to the northern reality. The project brings together 3 local partners, the ministry of environment of Québec (MELCCFP), 3 Canadian universities and a private company.
Objectives: Develop a technological train for the in-situ treatment of diesel-contaminated soils, which is economical and adapted to the climatic, logistical and socio-economic context of remote cold regions. One of the two sub-objectives is to formulate an injectable surfactant foam from an innovative oxidizing solution that improves diesel degradation efficiency. The second is to formulate an injectable, context-specific enzyme foam from an enzyme concentrate. These objectives will be achieved through multi-scale laboratory development and field trials under real conditions in the Inuit community of Kangiqsualujjuaq.
Work environment: The MSc project will be carried out in the Contaminant Hydrogeology Laboratory of Professor Richard Martel at the Eau Terre Environnement Research Centre of the Institut national de la recherche scientifique, which is located in the heart of historic Quebec City. Pr. Richard Martel has over 35 years’ experience in the field of hydrogeology. He has been a professor researcher at INRS for 28 years and has supervised and co-supervised over 70 MSc and PhD students and postdoctoral fellows. The Contaminant Hydrogeology Laboratory research team is made up of 6 research professionals/technicians with diverse and complementary backgrounds. The Msc student will work in a collaborative, multidisciplinary research environment.
Tasks: The student will actively participate in multi-scale laboratory tests (batch, 1D sand columns and 2D sand tank) related to the development and injection of an oxidizing foam in collaboration with the PhD student. The MSc student will also take part in field trials.
Start date
May 2025
Research supervision
Richard Martel, professor, INRS
Study program
MSc in Water or Earth sciences (program details in French only), Eau Terre Environnement Research Centre, INRS
Funding
Scholarship of $24,000/year.
Required qualifications
Undergraduate degree in chemistry, environmental engineering or any other relevant field.
Desired skills:
- Autonomy in a laboratory environment, good ability to adapt and integrate in a team.
- French or English spoken and written. Spoken and/or written Inuktitut will be considered an asset
- Expertise in geological and/or petroleum and/or environmental engineering.
- Intermediate knowledge of environmental science, environmental and analytical chemistry: laboratory and on-site sample collection, solvent extraction, C10-C50 and PAH analyses (GC-FID, GC-MS), processing and interpretation of results.
- Availability and motivation for intermediate-scale laboratory work: from a few grams of soil to a few tens of kilograms, as well as for field work in an Inuit community in Nunavik.
- Basic knowledge of hydrogeology and treatment of contaminated soil/water and/or groundwater.
- Knowledge of drilling and injection in an environmental, hydrogeological or petroleum context, an asset.
How to apply
Please use the form below to send your application including all of the following documents in PDF: (1) a cover letter with your research interests, (2) a CV, (3) a copy of your university transcripts, and (4) contact details of three referees. Applications will be considered from March 2025.
We encourage applications from visible minorities, aboriginal groups, women and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.