Undergraduate internship – 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 internship 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 intern will work in a collaborative, multidisciplinary research environment.
Tasks: The intern will be involved in designing, sizing and fitting out the intervention units, which will include two 6 m long maritime containers. The intervention units will be designed on the basis of the results obtained during the laboratory development stages and will enable the in-situ treatment process to be applied on the site selected for the trials.
Start date and duration
May 2025 for 15 weeks
Internship supervision
Richard Martel, professor, INRS
Funding
Scholarship of $8,000
Required qualifications
Undergraduate student in process engineering, environmental engineering or another relevant field.
Desired skills:
- Autonomy in a semi-industrial laboratory environment, good adaptability and integration skills.
- Spoken and written French or English.
- Knowledge of process design and scale-up.
- Knowledge of environmental technologies.
- Expertise and interest in hydraulics, pneumatics and automation.
- 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 the following documents in PDF: (1) a CV, and (2) a copy of your university transcripts, Applications will be considered from February 28, 2025.
We encourage applications from visible minorities, aboriginal groups, women and people of all sexual orientations and gender identities.