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Position
MSc positions in Structural Geology / Metamorphic Petrology
Employer
Lakehead University
The
Department of Geology of Lakehead University comprises six tenured and tenure-track faculty members within the Faculty of Science and Environmental Studies and offers undergraduate programs in Geology, Environmental Earth Science, and Water Science, as well as a Master of Science in Geology. The Department has an established national and international research profile, with strengths in economic geology, geochemistry, petrology, structural geology, tectonics, early Earth-ocean–atmosphere–terrestrial systems, and biogeochemistry. We are a small department with a strong commitment to experiential learning and well-established connections with local industry and government.
Homepage: https://www.lakeheadu.ca/programs/departments/geology
Location
Thunder Bay, Canada
Sector
Academic
Relevant divisions
Geochemistry, Mineralogy, Petrology & Volcanology (GMPV)
Tectonics and Structural Geology (TS)
Type
Full time
Level
Student / Graduate / Internship
Salary
max. 15945 € / Year
Preferred Education
Undergraduate degree
Application deadline
Open until the position is filled
Posted
4 November 2026
Job Description
We are recruiting one Postdoctoral Fellow (PDF) and
four MSc students for a five-year, industry-partnered research program on the structural and geochemical controls of gold mineralization in Archean granite-greenstone belts. The program focuses on the Great Bear gold project in the Red Lake greenstone belt of the Superior Province, in collaboration with Kinross Gold. The team will combine field mapping, drill core, microstructural analysis, petrology, geochemistry and high-precision geochronology to investigate how shear zone-hosted gold deposits form.
Available Positions
MSc 1 & 2 – Kinematics, conditions and timing of deformation (2 years)
Field and regional structural mapping of the intrusive rocks (MSc 1) and the hosting metamorphosed volcanic rocks (MSc 2); optical microstructural analysis and EBSD (with the PDF) for kinematic and vorticity analysis; deviatoric stress from grain-size piezometry; geochronology of intrusive rocks (CA-ID-TIMS U–Pb, in-situ U–Pb dating of synkinematic titanite and rutile). Statistical analysis of the orientation data and of spatial correlations between fabrics, felsic intrusions and deformation conditions will be conducted using the R packages
tectonicr and
structr (Stephan et al., 2023).
MSc 3 & 4 – Belt architecture, geochemistry & geochronology (2 years)
Mapping and sampling of surface outcrops and drill core; petrography, whole-rock geochemistry, μXRF, radiogenic isotopes and geochronology to define the volcanic and structural architecture. MSc 3 will focus on the area NW of the deposit and MSc 4 on the area SE of it.
What We Offer
- MSc stipends of 25,000 CAD per year for two years, plus tuition support where applicable.
- Fieldwork in the Red Lake belt, access to drill core and data, and the opportunity to learn from the Kinross geological team.
- Hands-on training in field mapping, EBSD, μXRF, EMPA, LA-ICP-MS, Raman, high-precision geochronology and thermodynamic modelling, and in reproducible data analysis in R/Python/MATLAB.
- A collaborative team in which faculty, the PDF and students work across structure, petrology and geochemistry, with regular industry and conference presentations.
- MSc students will be co-supervised by Dr. Pete Hollings and Dr. Tobias Stephan.
Qualifications
A BSc in geology or a related discipline with a strong academic record. Field experience and an interest in structural geology, petrology, geochemistry or mineral deposits. Experience in programming (e.g. R or Python) or GIS is an asset. Willingness to do fieldwork in remote northern Ontario, a valid driver’s licence, and good written and oral communication skills in English.
How to apply
Send a single PDF to Dr. Tobias Stephan (tstephan@lakehead.ca) with the subject line
“Great Bear – [MSc #]”. Include:
- Cover letter (max. 1 page) stating the position(s) of interest and your relevant experience
- CV
- Unofficial transcripts
- Names and contact details of two referees
Review of applications begins
4 December 2026 and continues until the positions are filled. Anticipated start dates are May 2027.
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