University of Arizona - Tucson, AZ
posted 4 months ago
The Arizona Geological Survey (AZGS) is a nonacademic research department at the University of Arizona dedicated to enhancing our understanding of the geology, mineral resources, and natural hazards of Arizona. We are currently seeking applications for two Research Scientist positions to join our mineral resources and bedrock geology team. This is an exciting opportunity for research-oriented geologists who are passionate about advancing knowledge in critical minerals. The successful candidates will bring expertise in one or more subdisciplines, including economic geology, igneous/metamorphic petrology, physical volcanology, stratigraphy/sedimentology, geochemistry, or regional geology. One of the positions will focus primarily on research activities related to mine waste and tailings, aiming to document the distribution and quantities of mine waste and tailing sites across Arizona. This role will also involve characterizing the metal and critical mineral contents of these sites for potential future reprocessing. The second position will lead a compilation project of geochronologic data across Arizona, sample and characterize critical mineral occurrences throughout the state, and contribute to a synthesis of the mineral resources of Cochise County. The specific assignments for both positions will depend on the candidates' expertise, background, and interests, as there are several active mineral resource projects underway. Key technical skills required for success in these roles include the ability to conduct geologic mapping of prospects to mining districts, interpret diverse datasets such as borehole data, geo/thermochronologic results, and geochemistry, and synthesize information in a GIS environment. The ideal candidates will possess strong interpersonal skills, be able to work collaboratively, and effectively communicate their scientific findings to other researchers, public and private stakeholders, and the general public. AZGS staff scientists are expected to participate in field investigations, develop and write proposals, and conduct office-based data compilations that will lead to the production of high-quality datasets, maps, reports, scientific papers, and presentations. Interviews for these positions are expected to be held remotely between August 12, 2024, and August 14, 2024.