Researcher, Hydrogeologist/Hydrogeochemist Job in Calgary Recruiting by Alberta Innovates

Researcher, Hydrogeologist/Hydrogeochemist

InnoTech Alberta is seeking a researcher to join the team working out of our Calgary office. The Environmental Services Division is staffed by an expert team of applied scientists and technicians that strive to be the preferred partner for addressing complex environmental, natural resource and greenhouse gas management challenges, bridging the gap between existing environmental research and real-world solutions. The primary responsibilities of this position will be business development; applied research, technical proposals and contracts; project and program development and management; analysis, interpretation, and communication of experimental results; and collaboration and interaction with colleagues, clients, and external experts, primarily in water quality and quantity assessments involving environmental and/or industrial stressors. Technical and/or supervisory leadership experience and interest will be crucial to success in this position. This position will report within the Environmental Impacts Team.  

Are you our next Researcher for Environmental Services? You would be a good fit for this position if you:

• Are a highly motivated, results-oriented Hydrogeologist/Hydrogeochemist.
• Are passionate about working with a broad client group to develop and lead research, implement solutions, and validate benefits. 
• Are collaborative by nature and able to work as part of a multi-disciplinary team.
• Enjoy tackling new technical challenges and developing innovative solutions to problems.
• Are resourceful, creative, and forward thinking.
• Have ability to adapt to a dynamic schedule and to work both independently and as part of a team.

We are game changers

Alberta Innovates is a provincially funded corporation with a mandate to deliver 21st-century solutions for the most compelling challenges facing Albertans. We do this by building on our province’s research and technology development strengths in the core sectors of health, environment, energy, food and fibre, and platforms such as artificial intelligence, nanotechnology and omics. We are working with our partners to diversify Alberta’s economy, improve our environmental performance and enhance the well-being of Albertans through research and innovation. 

Our subsidiary, InnoTech Alberta, offers a diversified range of scientific engineering and technological research and testing capabilities, and the facilities to support technology scale-up. Our multidisciplinary team has the depth of experience to work across all sectors, from energy to health to food and fibre. InnoTech Alberta offers you access to research talent, technical expertise, and unique facilities that can help accelerate technology development that serves both the private and public sector.

Intrigued? Here’s some more information about the position:

The Researcher is accountable for project development, management, and execution of applied research projects within the Environmental Services division of InnoTech. Our collaborative work with the Government of Alberta and industry has contributed to the province’s reputation as a world leader in environmental monitoring, integrated data analysis, risk analysis, and carbon capture and storage technology. Our teams develop and validate processes and technologies that enable more efficient, effective, and economical environmental monitoring and management. We achieve this through identification, evaluation, monitoring and validation of solutions to address industry needs in environmental impacts and risk evaluation, integrated monitoring, asset retirement and environmental management. We support industrial decarbonization toward net-zero emissions through development, validation, and demonstration of carbon capture and utilization and methane reduction technologies.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to the following:

Project Management and Technical Expertise

• Develop and manage execution of applied research and development programs and projects including:
  • Study design and implementation to ensure delivery of the highest quality outcomes.
  • Project management responsibilities including forecasting project workforce and asset allocation to ensure optimal scheduling and delegation of tasks.
  • Coordinate and complete field and laboratory workplans.
  • Preparation and presentation of client reports and publication of results, as appropriate.
  • Interaction with clients and project stakeholders to validate scope of work, provide progress updates, and manage expectations.
  • Enhance the team’s capabilities and capacity to provide services to clients through professional development, procurement of capital assets, and development of unique facilities.
• Utilize and coordinate innovative technical expertise and capabilities to:
  • Summarize and analyze applied water resources and geochemical data, interpret results, integrate data with information from other sources, and apply the results to support industry-sponsored projects, public policy, and natural resource management and environmental stewardship across Alberta.
  • Contribute to development of codes, standards, and best practices to support client qualification requirements.
  • Provide consultation on projects within the Environmental Services Division, with other InnoTech Divisions, and with external collaborators and partners.
• Provide technical coaching and mentoring to junior employees.

Business Development and Client Engagement

• Apply technical expertise and creativity in business development efforts, including:
  • Engaging with external clients, stakeholders, and collaborators to identify high priority challenges and associated projects to drive initiatives forward. 
  • Monitoring and analyzing industry market intelligence, industry best practices, and emerging trends and championing targeted business opportunities.
  • Preparing program and project proposals and budgets for presentation to external and internal clients to solicit funding support.
  • Facilitating client discussions and convening events to enable collaborative joint industry projects and multi-stakeholder initiatives to address common industry challenges.
  • Negotiating and arranging contractual agreements with clients.
  • Supporting Team, Division, and corporate branding and market positioning initiatives, including representing InnoTech Alberta at tradeshows, conferences, and workshops.

The position will be based in InnoTech Alberta’s Calgary Research Park location; occasional travel to other InnoTech Alberta sites in Edmonton, Vegreville, and/or Victoria, BC, for short time periods will be expected; field work may be involved for limited durations.

Educational Requirement:

• MSc or PhD in Earth Sciences or related discipline, or equivalent experience.
  • Current membership or eligibility for membership with APEGA (P. Geo. or P. Eng). Candidates with other professional designations may be considered if appropriate.

Skills Required:

• • 8 - 10 years of experience working in the field of water resources, hydrology, or hydrogeology, with a minimum of 3 years as a leader in a technical or supervisory position.
  • Proven ability to motivate and engage colleagues in a shared vision.
  • Commitment to nurturing and enabling success in junior staff through coaching and mentoring.
  • Strategic and systems thinking competencies to support identification and operationalization of Divisional priorities within the context of stakeholder and organizational needs.
  • Familiarity with GIS and Geomatics software (e.g., ArcGIS, ArcHYDRO), and statistical software (e.g., PCA, R, MATLAB, Python).
  • Familiarity with programs such as PHREEQC, NETPATH, Geochemistry Workbench (GWB), and AQUACHEM or similar software would be definite assets.
  • Experience in Hydrological and Hydrogeological modelling (e.g., HydroGeoSphere, FEFLOW, MODFLOW) would be an asset.
  • Knowledge of isotopes and/or inorganic/organic geochemistry would be an asset.
  • Knowledge and experience with Alberta’s oil sands industry.
  • Knowledge of the regional hydrology, hydrogeology, and hydrostratigraphy of the oil sands region and major environmental issues, challenges, and technical solutions enabling sustainable development would be an asset.
  • Strong spatial and statistical analytical skills will be prioritized. 

• • Excellent problem-solving skills and ability to apply technical solutions from multiple industries and sectors to address client needs.
  • Strong verbal and written communication skills, demonstrated through technical reports and proposals and presentations of research outcomes.  
  • Ability to facilitate and work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Strong organizational skills and attention to detail that reflects ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks, competing agendas and heavy client demands.
  • Demonstrated ability to be self-motivated and proactive.
  • Negotiation, conflict management, and decision-making skills.
  • Flexibility to work and conduct research independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary collaborative team.

Why InnoTech Alberta?

We offer our employees opportunities to work on projects that will expand their skill sets while witnessing the visible impacts of their efforts. We value the development of our employees and create opportunities for working in capacities that allow new skills to be learned. We know that the wellness of our team is the most important part of our business, so we offer a strong benefits package and generous vacation and paid time off programs to promote work-life balance.   

The final candidate will be required to undergo a security clearance. All interviewees must be able to meet the requirement specified in the Physical Demand Analysis. This document will be supplied during the interview process to the successful candidate. This competition will remain open until a successful candidate is found.  

ALBERTA INNOVATES IS COMMITTED TO THE PRINCIPLE OF EQUITY IN EMPLOYMENT AND ENCOURAGES APPLICATIONS FROM ALL QUALIFIED INDIVIDUALS. WE WISH TO THANK ALL APPLICANTS FOR THEIR INTEREST. HOWEVER, ONLY THOSE INVITED FOR AN INTERVIEW WILL BE CONTACTED.