MSc Geology Project – Isabella Pearl Mine, Nevada
Laurentian University - Mineral Exploration Research Centre
Our mission is to conduct and promote cutting-edge, field-based, collaborative research on mineral deposits and their environments, and to educate and train highly qualified personnel (HQP) for careers in the minerals industry, academia or government.
MERC is a semi-autonomous research centre at Laurentian University (LU). It is affiliated with the Harquail School of Earth Sciences at Laurentian University.
MERC comprises an internationally recognized group of researchers from academia, industry and government. MERC has >75 faculty, research scientists, and graduate students working on mineral deposits, Precambrian geology, and exploration methodology and targeting, all housed within offices and labs of the Willet Green Miller Centre on the Laurentian University campus. MERC is governed by an Advisory Board comprised of industry, government and academic leaders.
For more information about MERC, please contact the Director, Dr. Ross Sherlock.
Homepage: https://www.merc.laurentian.ca
Stratigraphy, Sedimentology and Palaeontology (SSP)
Tectonics and Structural Geology (TS)
MERC, in partnership with Fortitude Gold Corp., is recruiting for an MSc student to undertake research adjacent to the Isabella Pearl Mine, which is in the Walker Lane structural corridor of western Nevada. This study is part of a larger multi-year initiative by Fortitude Gold Corp. that is
focused on mapping and drilling prospective portions of the Soda Springs fault system, which hosts the Isabella Pearl deposits. Mineralization at the Isabella Pearl Mine conforms to the highsulfidation deposit model, as evidenced by widespread vuggy silica replacement, and a quartzalunite mineral assemblage capping argillic alteration, resulting from acid leaching of ascending hydrothermal fluids.
This two-year, fully funded project involves extensive fieldwork, including mapping of geology along a 10 km structural corridor. Specific focus will be structural and lithological mapping of identified deposits along the corridor, and assessment of the ore deposit styles and their associated geochemical traps. The position will include two field seasons of work, transportation to and from site, and all room and board expenses while on-site and analytical costs. Student support will be CND$30,000/year through a combination of employment, teaching assistantships and grants.
The project will be supervised by Ross Sherlock, Bruno Lafrance and the technical team at Fortitude Gold Corp.
MERC
Laurentian University’s Mineral Exploration Research Centre (MERC) in Sudbury, Ontario, Canada, conducts and promotes global, collaborative, lab- and field-based research focused on mineral deposits, exploration, and targeting. MERC hosts internationally recognized projects and researchers
from academia, industry, and government. Together, faculty members, research scientists, and graduate students focus on mineral deposits, Precambrian geology, and exploration methodology and targeting. MERC also leads Canada’s Metal Earth project, which is one of the most significant university-led publicly funded geoscience projects in the world.
Fortitude Gold
Fortitude Gold is a U.S.-based gold producer targeting projects with low operating costs, strong returns on capital and high margins. Our strategy is to grow organically, remain debt-free and distribute substantial dividends. Our Nevada Mining Unit consists of five high-grade gold properties located in the Walker Lane Mineral Belt. Nevada, U.S.A., is among the world’s premier mining-friendly jurisdictions.
Laurentian University
Laurentian University is one of the top Canadian universities to study geology. It's located in Sudbury, Ontario, which is a global centre for mining and geology expertise. Laurentian is located within the territory of the Robinson-Huron Treaty of 1850, and recognizes its placement on the traditional lands of the Atikameksheng Anishnawbek, as well as its proximity to Wahnapitae First Nation. As Canada’s only university with a tricultural mandate,
Laurentian offers an outstanding higher education and research experience in English and French, with a comprehensive approach to Indigenous education.
Send your complete application with a cover letter to merc@laurentian.ca and reference Job ID #2025-05.
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.
Your application must include:
- an expression of interest
- CV
- academic transcripts
- contact details
- names of three referees.