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Mendenhall Program: Energy and Minerals-related opportunities

Mendenhall opportunities associated with energy and mineral resources are now available! Please see individual opportunity information for closing dates.

It is anticipated that these positions will start no later than March 2025. The person selected must have all PhD requirements completed and MUST submit proof of completion prior to receiving an official start date. Exceptions may be made for a later start date on a case-by-case basis.

Please send general inquiries to the Mendenhall Program email box: mendenhall@usgs.gov

 

22-13. Constraining the geologic and tectonic conditions of critical element mineralization in the Mojave Desert, California 

We are seeking a Mendenhall Fellow to apply geologic mapping, structural geology, geochronologic, and geochemical approaches to define the framework geology necessary to characterize critical mineral ore systems in the Mojave Desert.  

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22-13. Constraining the geologic and tectonic conditions of critical element mineralization in the Mojave Desert, California 

We are seeking a Mendenhall Fellow to apply geologic mapping, structural geology, geochronologic, and geochemical approaches to define the framework geology necessary to characterize critical mineral ore systems in the Mojave Desert.  

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22-14. Integrated geophysical and structural analysis to identify 3D critical mineral resources and tectonic context of NE Washington

We seek a Mendenhall postdoctoral researcher to examine the structural geology, geophysics, and critical minerals potential in northeastern Washington State. We solicit proposals that include a multi-faceted approach to constrain the structural controls on critical mineral potential.

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22-14. Integrated geophysical and structural analysis to identify 3D critical mineral resources and tectonic context of NE Washington

We seek a Mendenhall postdoctoral researcher to examine the structural geology, geophysics, and critical minerals potential in northeastern Washington State. We solicit proposals that include a multi-faceted approach to constrain the structural controls on critical mineral potential.

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22-9. Integrated isotopic mapping of interior and southwest Alaska’s mineral systems and geologic framework

Stable and radiogenic isotopic mapping of geologic terranes across large regions provides unique insights into mineral system and tectonomagmatic evolution of critical mineral-bearing belts of Alaska. Alaska's complex geology is well suited for this approach, and isotopic terrane analysis is an essential part of mineral system mapping and assessment of critical mineral potential in the state.

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22-9. Integrated isotopic mapping of interior and southwest Alaska’s mineral systems and geologic framework

Stable and radiogenic isotopic mapping of geologic terranes across large regions provides unique insights into mineral system and tectonomagmatic evolution of critical mineral-bearing belts of Alaska. Alaska's complex geology is well suited for this approach, and isotopic terrane analysis is an essential part of mineral system mapping and assessment of critical mineral potential in the state.

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22-10. Data science and methods for multi-resource integrated assessments

We seek a Mendenhall Fellow to develop, integrate, and analyze foundational datasets for multi-resource assessments, ideally on the critical mineral potential of mine waste in Alaska. The proposed work may also address broader questions related to assessment methods; data development, integration, analysis, and delivery; other nature resources (e.g., geothermal, energy); and stakeholder engagement

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22-10. Data science and methods for multi-resource integrated assessments

We seek a Mendenhall Fellow to develop, integrate, and analyze foundational datasets for multi-resource assessments, ideally on the critical mineral potential of mine waste in Alaska. The proposed work may also address broader questions related to assessment methods; data development, integration, analysis, and delivery; other nature resources (e.g., geothermal, energy); and stakeholder engagement

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22-12. Multi-scale, multi-resource investigations of supergene nickel laterite deposits in ultramafic terranes

We seek a postdoctoral researcher to investigate nickel laterite deposits. Ultramafic terranes can be characterized in the United States and Puerto Rico as geological analogues for determining the fundamental parameters needed to assess the multi-resource potential of nickel laterites, their associated parent rocks, and likely waste material. 

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22-12. Multi-scale, multi-resource investigations of supergene nickel laterite deposits in ultramafic terranes

We seek a postdoctoral researcher to investigate nickel laterite deposits. Ultramafic terranes can be characterized in the United States and Puerto Rico as geological analogues for determining the fundamental parameters needed to assess the multi-resource potential of nickel laterites, their associated parent rocks, and likely waste material. 

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22-7. Application of noble gas geochemistry to understanding geologic hydrogen and helium resources

We are seeking a Mendenhall Fellow to investigate the geochemistry of noble gases in near subsurface environments to develop techniques for exploration of natural hydrogen and helium resources. 

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22-7. Application of noble gas geochemistry to understanding geologic hydrogen and helium resources

We are seeking a Mendenhall Fellow to investigate the geochemistry of noble gases in near subsurface environments to develop techniques for exploration of natural hydrogen and helium resources. 

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22-8. Addressing emerging energy challenges by linking geologic and engineering properties to understand fluid injection and production

New energy strategies and the need to understand relationships between subsurface resources increases demand for improved technologies to characterize and model fluid behavior in the subsurface. The injection of gases, and the production of natural gas from gas hydrates, present opportunities for improved numerical modeling approaches to facilitate a better understanding of these complex systems.

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22-8. Addressing emerging energy challenges by linking geologic and engineering properties to understand fluid injection and production

New energy strategies and the need to understand relationships between subsurface resources increases demand for improved technologies to characterize and model fluid behavior in the subsurface. The injection of gases, and the production of natural gas from gas hydrates, present opportunities for improved numerical modeling approaches to facilitate a better understanding of these complex systems.

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22-11. Regional economic potential for select critical minerals, Deep Creek-Tintic Belt, greater west-central Utah

We seek a Mendenhall Postdoctoral Fellow to further advance our understanding of crustal evolution and the regional economic potential for additional minerals on the U.S. Critical Minerals List. Potential topics to address include, but are not limited to, the timing of regional fluid flow, dynamics of mineral precipitation, and the interplay among magmatic-hydrothermal-meteoric-water processes.

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22-11. Regional economic potential for select critical minerals, Deep Creek-Tintic Belt, greater west-central Utah

We seek a Mendenhall Postdoctoral Fellow to further advance our understanding of crustal evolution and the regional economic potential for additional minerals on the U.S. Critical Minerals List. Potential topics to address include, but are not limited to, the timing of regional fluid flow, dynamics of mineral precipitation, and the interplay among magmatic-hydrothermal-meteoric-water processes.

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