Morwick G360 Groundwater Research Institute

Author: G360group

The Morwick G360 Institute is Hiring a Chief Operations Officer. Apply Now!

Posted by on in Announcements, Student/Staff Opportunities

The Morwick G360 Groundwater Research Institute at the University of Guelph is seeking a Chief Operations Officer (COO). Reporting to the Director of the Morwick G360 Institute, the COO will provide organizational, operational, and financial leadership to Morwick G360. The COO will leverage technical and scientific expertise by using their strong administrative, financial, operational and communication skills to link the various interdependent components that comprise Morwick G360 to mobilize the research activities and outcomes effectively and efficiently as the primary outputs and communicate the value for all stakeholders.

What this opportunity offers you:

  • A chance to support some of the brightest minds in the groundwater research field to effectively and efficiently work together to innovate and develop new technologies that solve the complex problems of contaminated groundwater and water resource protection;
  • Access to leading edge tools, technologies and research facilities including the globally unique Morwick Groundwater Research Centre located on the University of Guelph campus and associated field research sites and infrastructure;
  • The opportunity to help shape the organization, reporting, and value creation of a University based Research Institute that works inter­disciplinary, inter­college, inter­university and internationally;
  • Direct involvement in mobilizing research results into practice and policy development for societal impact;
  • Leadership capacity to develop Morwick G360 procedures and methods for training and compliance with all University and jurisdictional regulations and policies (OSHA, USA HAZWOPER, MOECC, etc.) relevant to the institute’s activities;
  • The opportunity to advance communication methods and procedures to facilitate technology transfer and outreach, maintain existing sponsor interests and capture new sponsor interests and value creation, and ensure communication of that value and needs to University stakeholders (academic and research units); and
  • A collaborative relationship with the Morwick G360 Advisory Board to establish operating procedures and implement actions that support the strategic directions and milestones with agreed to implementation plan and priorities.

To assume the role of Chief Operating Officer, you must have:

  • A professional degree, preferably a Master’s degree, in Geological / Civil / Chemical / Environmental Engineering or Hydrogeology, or Earth / Environmental Sciences coupled with extensive professional experience with aspects relating to groundwater contamination;
  • Demonstrated success operating at a senior leadership level managing large, multi­ disciplinary teams;
  • Large­scale operational and logistics management experience, preferably in an industry environment; ability to partner with Principal Investigators and Project Managers to successfully integrate multiple concurrent project plans, resources and deliverables to meet overall research program objectives and deadlines as well as funding mandates;
  • Excellent people skills with evidence of being able to motivate individuals and teams to meet self-imposed deadlines and results;
  • Results focus with demonstrated experience creating and managing operational reporting, tracking, and evaluation systems, providing specific examples;
  • A solid business acumen with the ability to manage an annual operating budget of up to $6 million; capable of ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of Morwick G360 and its projects; Technical writing skills and experience preparing compelling research, grant and contract proposals;
  • A reputation as an exceptional communicator and relationship builder with diverse groups of internal and external stakeholders; and
  • An entrepreneurial spirit and the capability to transfer academic research into practice and inspire and enable the development of innovative ideas and commercialization opportunities.

Applications are due March 2, 2022. Please submit you application via the University of Guelph Careers Webpage.

Come Work With Us! Morwick G360 is Looking for an Equipment Technologist

Posted by on in Announcements, Student/Staff Opportunities

Morwick G360 is Hiring! We are looking for a dynamic and innovative person who enjoys working outdoors with their hands and varied mechanical equipment, in an environment that focuses on innovation and creative problem solving, mentoring and training of students and junior staff.

Reporting to the Director and Chief Operating Officer of Morwick G360, the Equipment Technologist plays a key role in the management of existing specialty research equipment and in the creation of new and/or improved research equipment, as well as the mentoring and training of students and staff on the use of this equipment. 

Key duties include:

  • Using your strong mechanical skills (fabrication, machining, plumbing, and electrical skills are all assets) and innovative ideas to implement designs, improve designs, build/fabricate and test components for innovative groundwater monitoring devices used both above and below ground, such as multilevel monitoring wells; work with equipment manufacturers and other Morwick G360 staff to create new parts/equipment to solve research challenges, troubleshoot equipment malfunctions and/or design flaws, and work with piping and tubing, pumps, and flow meters and a variety of connective parts – ~40%;
  • Utilizing your ability to make things happen in the field to organize and successfully conduct / oversee field work, which includes but is not limited to multilevel well component inventory control and component procurement, multilevel well installations, geophysical logging, water level measurements, rock core sampling, groundwater and gas sampling – 30%;
  • Organizing field data, documenting and inputting into electronic data systems, QA/QC’ing data and preparing raw data outline in figures and tables -10%;
  • Communicating with faculty, Morwick G360 Project Managers and team members regarding activities, data and results as required – 10%
  • Performing equipment and field installation maintenance, and working with other Morwick G360 personnel to develop and implement design improvements for hydrogeological and geophysical tools and methods – 10%

Requirements of the position include: 

  • High school diploma with trade certification(s); college or university degree is preferred, with a focus in these topic areas: drilling, mechanical, geological, environmental science or civil engineering, hydrogeology
  • Experience working with your hands is required
  • Experience working with varied mechanical equipment is required
  • Certified Well Technician license is an asset (obtaining post-hiring an option)
  • Experience working in a research environment is an asset

The deadline to apply is February 7th. If the position sounds like a good fit for you, learn more and submit your application via the University of Guelph Careers webpage.

Groundwater Research Continues in all Weather Conditions

Posted by on in Uncategorized

Fieldwork is the foundational core of the research carried out at Morwick G360. Real world sites offer the ability to capture comprehensive, high-resolution datasets about unique subsurface conditions, enabling us to better understand groundwater systems and contaminants, and devise more effective remediation techniques to keep our drinking water safe. In this way, fieldwork is and incredibly rewarding undertaking, but it can also be a challenge, especially when the weather takes a turn for the worse.

Dr. Jonathan Munn braving the weather at Grayling Airfield.

This month, for example, at a research site at the Grayling Army Airfield, Michigan, where Morwick G360 researchers in collaboration with partners Arcadis and ENRX are testing new methods of measuring mass flux (the movement of contaminants across an area), an unexpectedly heavy snowfall blanketed the area. Dr. Jonathan Munn, who was heading out to the site, woke up to a message that:

“the site area received up to 12 inches (30.5 cm) of snow in the last 24 hours. Drive carefully – take it slow in ice and snow. Monday looks like it will be windy (13-20 mph), which really increases the chill factor on this site. Tuesday and Wednesday looks like temperatures will be pretty low (highs around 20F/-7C) with moderate winds. Dress warmly.”

With safety precautions taken, and shovels in hand, the wintery weather didn’t hold the team back or keep them from splicing a fibre optic network to run planned A-DTS tests to measure groundwater flow. Just another day in the field.

With the holidays just around the corner, we at Morwick G360 would like to take the opportunity to wish everyone a happy new year and all the best in 2022. To send us off, Jon shared a couple more photos of, as he put it, the “winter wonderland.” Enjoy!

Equipment set up as snow squalls roll in.

Testing during cold weather.

Thank You to Aardvark Drilling for Supporting the Morwick Groundwater Research Centre

Posted by on in Announcements, Uncategorized

We are happy to announce that Aardvark Drilling has made a substantial contribution to the development of the Morwick Groundwater Research Centre at the University of Guelph. With their help, we are building a world-class hub for groundwater research, training, and collaboration. When complete, the Centre will house classrooms, a rock core library, teaching wells, and technology demonstration displays, serving as a focal point and staging ground for Groundwater projects and student education.

Aardvark Drilling Inc. is a contractor with roots in the Guelph community. They have operations throughout Southern Ontario, Eastern Canada, and Bermuda. Since 2002, they have provided high quality drilling services, equipment, and expertise for a wide variety of projects. They employ over 20 people, and serve the public sector, private sector, and government projects alike. Aardvark and the Morwick G360 Institute have a long history of collaboration, working together on various projects in Wellington Region for over a decade. With this contribution, Aardvark demonstrate an ongoing commitment to evidence-based research, hands-on training, and collaborative, sustainable best practices in the field.

The Morwick Groundwater Research Centre is now nearing three-quarters of our fundraising goal, and there are more opportunities available to support this endeavour. Contact us or visit https://www.uoguelph.ca/ceps/water-protection to learn more.

Morwick G360 extends a warm thank you to Aardvark Drilling Inc. for their valuable gift in support of the project.

The Morwick Groundwater Research Centre wins Learning by Design’s “Outstanding Project Award”

Posted by on in Announcements, Awards

Last June, the MG360 Institute launched a campaign to build the Morwick Groundwater Research Centre (MGRC), a cutting-edge hub for groundwater studies at the University of Guelph. The campaign kicked off with an initial donation from Ted Morwick, and is now over 60% of the way towards achieving its goal. We invite and encourage people to connect with us to help meet our fundraising target, and are excited about what the MGRC will offer as a space to showcase new technologies, carry out valuable research, and to train the next generation of groundwater science professionals.

Today, we are excited to share that the MGRC has won an “Outstanding Project Award” from Learning By Design, whose Architectural and Interior Design Awards of Excellence program recognizes exceptional educational spaces.

Learning-by-Design-Magazine-Award-for-MGRCDownload

Designed by WalterFedy architects, the MGRC will be built on the same footprint as the existing Bedrock Aquifer Field Facility, minimizing the environmental impact of the renovations. The Learning By Design committee stated that when complete, the MGRC will be “a modern learning environment that exhibits many design attributes that others may emulate.” In particular, the judges indicated that “the Net Zero Carbon approach is commendable, something for which the community can be grateful for, which benefits society as a whole. Preserving the existing barn is tremendously beneficial to the environment, as are the other measures indicated. Exposed structure becomes a theme and a point of continuity between program spaces. The building is appropriately scaled and reflects the nature of the earth-science focus.”

Rendering of the MGRC exterior.

The finished MGRC will be a multi-functional space. It will house two classrooms that can become a larger room for conferences, and a two-story transparent groundwater well in which downhole instruments will be demonstrated. An onsite borehole into the underlying bedrock aquifer will provide a unique hands-on teaching tool, linking lectures to real-world demonstrations. In addition, a rock wall in the atrium will replicate the Silurian dolostone sequence and formation, typical of the local bedrock aquifer used by the City of Guelph for municipal, commercial, and industrial water supply. The MRGC will also house a rock core library, enabling students and professionals to put their research methods to the test. All together, these features will make the MGRC a world-class facility for research, technology demonstration, education, and public outreach. Groundwater is a vital resource to Canadians and to communities across the globe, and the research carried out at the MGRC will help ensure its sustainable future.

The Learning by Design recognition is an exciting affirmation of the value that the MGRC will bring to students, researchers, partners, and the community, and we are keen to keep the campaign momentum going. You can stay tuned to our blog for future updates, learn more about the MGRC here, or reach out to us directly about ways to help our campaign.

Rendering of the MGRC classrooms.
Rendering of the MGRC atrium with the Silurian dolostone rock wall.