Job description
About the Position:
The Department of Earth Sciences at Carleton University invites applications from qualified candidates for a 3-year term appointment in Mineral Exploration and Resource Management at the rank of Assistant Professor, Teaching Stream. Applications from women and under-represented groups are particularly welcome.
The Department seeks candidates able to teach postgraduate professional courses in the application of modern techniques in mineral exploration, resource estimation, mining, beneficiation and mine waste management and the planning and execution of mineral exploration programs. The search for critical minerals in North America depends on the availability of professionals who can bridge the gap between applied practice of mineral exploration and the financial, economic, legal, and regulatory constraints on the actions of mineral explorers. Carleton is positioning itself to lead the training of the next generation of leaders in mineral exploration and resource management by training young professionals in technical, ethical, and business skills needed to find, finance, and develop critical mineral resources.
About the Academic Unit:
The Masters in Mineral Exploration and Resource Management (MERM) is a fully online, course-based professional program operated by the Department of Earth Sciences of Carleton University. It is designed to provide a concentrated and intensive course of study on the science and practice of mineral exploration. The curriculum comprises 8 mandatory graduate level courses divided among Geoscience (2), Methods in Exploration and Mining (3), and Ethics, Finance and Management (3). Graduates will learn the mineral systems models for a large array of major mineral deposit types. They will learn best practices in exploration to find and characterize such deposits in safe, ethical and cost-effective ways. Students will learn about the functioning of corporations and public sector agencies and governments, as well as the legal and ethical framework in which exploration activities are carried out. Key to this program is also the recognition of the importance of stakeholder engagement and consultation, with particular attention to the need to consult Indigenous peoples who may be affected by exploration or mining activities. This program consolidates all that is learned with a capstone project wherein they will apply the above knowledge to create a detailed plan for a mock exploration program. Overall, this program will quickly elevate students, anywhere in Canada and the world, to a standard of ability allowing them to step into middle management with confidence. The program will launch in January 2027.
The Earth Sciences Department is part of the Ottawa-Carleton Geoscience Centre (OCGC), a collaborative research and graduate institution paired with the Department of Earth Sciences at University of Ottawa. Additionally, Carleton campus is close to federal research institutions (e.g., Geological Survey of Canada, Canadian Museum of Nature, National Research Council). Further information on the Department can be obtained at www.earthsci.carleton.ca.
Qualifications:
Applicants should have a Ph.D. in Earth Sciences (or related field), but in exceptional circumstances relevant work experience may be considered in lieu of the PhD. The candidate must be willing to relocate to the Ottawa area.
The successful candidate will combine industry experience in the application of Earth Sciences to mineral exploration and resource management with a commitment to transferring practical knowledge to early career professionals in the mineral resource industry. They must be proficient in the use of industry-standard software such as Leapfrog, Oasis Montaj, ioGAS, and GQIS. Proficiency in English is a requirement.
How to apply
Please send the application by email in one single PDF document to the attention of: Dr. James Mungall (MERM Director), Department of Earth Sciences, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, Ontario, K1S 5B6 ([email protected]). The application document should include the curriculum vitae, a cover letter, a teaching philosophy and experience statement, a statement outlining your experience in mineral exploration, a statement that identifies your plans to advance equity, diversity and inclusion in your teaching, service, or scholarly activities, and the names and addresses (including e-mail addresses) of three referees. The deadline for applications is July 30, 2026. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Please indicate in your application if you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada.
For further information please consult the official job posting
or email Professor James Mungall at [email protected]
Accessibility is a university strategic priority. Applicants selected for an interview who require accommodations are invited to contact the Chair of the Search Committee (Dr. James Mungall, [email protected]) to ensure that appropriate arrangements may be made.
Carleton University is strongly committed to fostering diversity within its community as a source of excellence, cultural enrichment, and social strength. We welcome those who would contribute to the further diversification of our University including but not limited to: women and equity-seeking groups; racialized individuals; First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples; persons with disabilities; and persons of any sexual orientation or gender identity and expressions. Furthermore, Carleton understands that career paths vary and interruptions will not prejudice the assessment process.
All qualified candidates are encouraged to apply; however, Canadians and permanent residents will be given priority. All positions are subject to budgetary approval.
About Carleton University:
Located in Ottawa, Carleton University is a dynamic and innovative research and teaching institution with a national and international reputation as a leader in collaborative teaching and learning, research and governance. With over 30,000 students, 900 academic faculty, and 1,100 staff and more than 100 programs of study, we encourage creative risk-taking enabling minds to connect, discover and generate transformative knowledge. We are proud to be one of the most accessible campuses in North America. Carleton’s Paul Menton Centre for Students with Disabilities has been heralded as the gold standard for disability support services in Canada.
Minutes from downtown, Carleton University is located on a beautiful campus, bordered by the Rideau River and the Rideau Canal. With over 12 national museums and the spectacular Gatineau Park close by, there are many excellent recreational opportunities for individuals and families to enjoy. The City of Ottawa, with a population of one million, is Canada’s capital city and reflects the country’s bilingual and multicultural character. Carleton’s location in the nation’s capital provides many opportunities for research with groups and institutions that reflect the diversity of the country. Carleton University is within a day’s drive of several current and historical world-class mining districts including the base and precious metal deposits of the Abitibi greenstone belt, the historic Cobalt Co-Ag district, as well as the iconic Ni-Cu-PGE-bearing Sudbury impact structure. To learn more about our university and the City of Ottawa, please visit www.carleton.ca/about.
