Research Scientist

Rebecca is a Research Scientist working at Natural Resources Canada /Geological Survey of Canada. She did an MSci Geology with study in North America at the University of Bristol followed by a Ph.D. in Geophysics (Seismology) at the University of Leeds.

The Geological Survey of Canada (GSC) is the national organization for geoscientific information and research. Our work supports exploration and decision-making in the mining and energy sectors as well as national sovereignty, hazards risk management and more. I work in the Critical Minerals Geoscience and Data division, as well as the Induced Seismicity Research division. My research focuses on using geophysics (seismic, fiber optic technology) to identify structural controls for critical minerals in Canada, as well as using remote sensing satellite techniques to identify mineral systems. In addition to this, I am involved in projects relating to the causes and consequences of natural and induced seismicity from resource development projects including oil and gas, water disposal, geothermal and CCUS.

As a research scientist, I am responsible for the development of research ideas, project oversight (including planning, procurement and financial elements), fieldwork planning and execution, data analysis and dissemination, interactions with external parties including private companies and First Nation Peoples and navigating both the government and academic systems (e.g. publishing, funding etc.).

My days are extremely varied - I could be planning research or fieldwork, analyzing data, in the field or disseminating results at a conference or in a written publication to the public or colleagues. For example, this week I have attended several weekly development meetings with different students and colleagues, written a job advertisement for a student hire, attended a 2 day workshop (online) relating to geothermal processes where I was part of a group presentation, done some python coding to obtain magnitudes of several earthquake swarms, done paperwork associated with the procurement of several pieces of field equipment, and planned a reconnaissance field trip to my field site in September.

Prior to joining the Geological Survey of Canada, I was a Research/Postdoctoral Associate at the University of Calgary () with research focused in induced and microsiesmicity as a result of resource development in western Canada. This included using detailed temporal and spatial analysis of seismicity, ambient seismic noise and new technologies including fiber optics, to better understand how fractures grow and develop; how highly pressurized fluids move through developing fracture networks; and in the identification and progression of slow slip events to better understand the continuum from aseismic to seismic slip. From I was a Profesor Visitante at the Observatorio Vulcanologico y Sismologico de Costa Rica, undertaking real time monitoring of tectonic and volcanic seismicity in Costa Rica and Central America. I obtained my PhD in Geophysics from the University of Leeds, UK (2015) with focus in using seismicity as a forecasting tool for volcanic eruptions, and hold a Masters and Undergraduate degree in Geology from the University of Bristol, UK (2011).

Take every opportunity you can, even if it doesn't seem like anything will come out of it.

Try and meet as many people as possible (attend guest lectures, conferences if you can, reach out via email if possible).

Don't be scared to apply for jobs/positions where you don't meet 100% of the criteria - you never know what they are looking for and usually job postings are an absolute wish list that no candidate is ever likely to have!