Natural Resources Canada - Geoscience and Earth Monitoring Sector/Geological Survey of Canada
Québec (Québec)
This PhD will start in September 2025 and end in March 2028. Bursary up to $35,700, distributed in 3 equal payments annually.
For further information on the organization, please visit Natural Resources Canada
Geological Survey of Canada
Research Affiliate Program
CLOSING DATE: 15 SEPTEMBER 2025 - 23:59, PACIFIC TIMEWho can apply: The selected candidate must meet the requirements and be currently enrolled or willing to enroll in the interuniversity doctoral program in construction engineering at École de technologie supérieure, Montreal (QC, Canada).
Proof will be required before the start date.
You are eligible for this program if you meet these 3 requirements:
1. You are a full-time student in a post-secondary institution
3. You are enrolled in an academic program that requires research as part of your curriculum
2. You meet the minimum age required in the province/territory of work
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. Learn more about whether you are eligible.

INTENT OF THE PROCESS

We are seeking one Ph.D. student in Construction Engineering at the École de technologie supérieure to work on regional-scale seismic risk assessment.
Positions to be filled: 1

IN ORDER TO BE CONSIDERED, YOUR APPLICATION MUST CLEARLY EXPLAIN HOW YOU MEET THE FOLLOWING (ESSENTIAL QUALIFICATIONS)

Education:

• The candidate must currently hold a master’s degree in Earth sciences, engineering, or an equivalent qualification from a recognized Canadian or foreign university.

Degree equivalency

Experience:

• Experience in seismic data processing*.
• Experience in programming.
• Relevant experience in acquiring, organizing, and analyzing data in a Geographic Information System (GIS) environment.
• For the purposes of recruiting students into the federal public service, experience may be acquired through studies, work experience, or volunteer activities.

Seismic risk assessment at the urban and regional scale is essential for emergency management and for the long-term planning of mitigation measures in earthquake-prone communities. To bridge the communication gap between risk experts and decision-makers at all levels of government, a web application is being developed. It focuses on seismic contexts and building practices in Canada.

This application follows standard analytical methods for assessing negative impacts and uses a procedure involving three main models:

• Hazard model – Determines the spatial distribution of shaking intensity using ground motion prediction equations (GMPEs) applicable to the scenario event. Site amplification factors are applied to adjust shaking intensity to local soil conditions.
• Inventory model – Accounts for people and buildings in the study area, considering construction materials, structural type, height, seismic design level, occupancy, and replacement cost.
• Vulnerability model – Based on fragility curves that relate the probability of damage to spectral acceleration, as a measure of ground shaking intensity.

Main objective: Continue the development and updating of the three models that form the foundation of the web application.
Specific objectives: (i) Update, integrate, and program the seismic hazard model for the generation of ShakeMap products using the new GMPEs adopted in the 6th Generation Seismic Hazard Model of Canada, developed by the Geological Survey of Canada (GSC); (ii) Develop improved methods for integrating inventory data for buildings and transportation infrastructure; and (iii) Develop, update, and program the vulnerability model for buildings and bridges.
The selected candidate will enroll in the Ph.D. program in Construction Engineering at the École de technologie supérieure (Montreal). With guidance from their supervisors and scientists involved in the project, the candidate will: Publish research findings in GSC public reports and peer-reviewed scientific journals; Present their work at scientific, governmental, or industrial conferences (oral or poster presentations); and Conduct outreach activities to share research outcomes with project partners.