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Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History
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Department of Mineral Sciences

Izalco Volcano

Postdoctoral and Graduate Fellowships


The Department of Mineral Sciences at the Smithsonian Institution, National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) invites applications for both postdoctoral and graduate fellowships. Active areas of research include volcanology, mineral spectroscopy, geomicrobiology, environmental mineralogy, geochemistry, experimental petrology, mineral physics, meteorite studies, solar system formation, and planetary formation and evolution. The department also houses the National Meteorite Collection, the National Rock and Ore Collection, the National Gem and Mineral Collection, and the Global Volcanism Program. A description of facilities, staff profiles, and collections resources can be found on our website.

Predoctoral and postdoctoral candidates can request up to 12 or 24 months, respectively, through the Smithsonian Institution Fellowship Program. Graduate fellowships through this program are funded for 10 weeks. Additional fellowship opportunities are available through the recently established Peter Buck Fellowship Program at NMNH; postdoctoral fellowships are for 2-3 years and graduate fellowships are 1-2 years. Applications may be submitted to both competitions. Additional information is available at the Office of Fellowships and Internships. The application deadline is January 15th, 2013. The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer.


Global Volcanism Program Fellowship:
Postdoctoral Fellow/Visiting Scientist


Competitive candidates will address problems in volcanology important on a global scale and/or volcanic systematics on regional/global scales from geochemical, petrological and/or physical volcanological perspectives. The department is home to the National Rock and Ore Collections as well as extensive preparatory and analytical equipment including experimental petrology labs, EMPA, FEG SEM, FTIR, XRD, cathodoluminescence, and wet chemistry. To apply, please email a project proposal (5 page maximum including all figures, tables, and references), CV, dates of proposed tenure, and names of at least two references familiar with your work to Elizabeth Cottrell. The position is for one year and renewable (for postdocs, not senior scientists) for a second year pending progress. The stipend is $53,000/yr + $3,000 for health insurance. Research funds are not directly allocated for this position. There are, however, no fees for use of Smithsonian analytical facilities. Drs. Cottrell and Andrews will cover expenses that arise during collaborative research.

This is an annual, running competition. We anticipate making our next award decision during the summer of 2013. If you have applied previously, we still have your application under consideration, but would appreciate an email to let us know your current availability.

For further information, contact Elizabeth Cottrell or Benjamin Andrews. The Smithsonian Institution is an equal opportunity employer.


Undergraduate Internships


The Department of Mineral Sciences, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, invites applications for undergraduate summer research internships.

Natural History Research Experience (NHRE) summer internships pair undergraduates with members of the Mineral Sciences research and collections staff, providing a hands-on introduction to scientific research. Here is an opportunity for students to engage in an original research project with a scientific mentor. Active areas of research include volcanology, meteorite and comet origin and evolution, planetary evolution, mineral spectroscopy, experimental petrology, mineral physics, and petrology/geochemistry. A description of facilities, staff profiles, and collections resources can be found on the Department of Mineral Sciences website. Additional activities include behind-the-scenes events and tours at the museum.

The National Museum of Natural History (NMNH) is located on the National Mall in the heart of Washington DC. The program runs from early June to early August. Students selected will receive a stipend of $5,000 and housing at a local university. A relocation allowance may also be requested. Previous research experience is not required, and we encourage applications from ethnic minorities and members of other underrepresented groups.

Application information for the museum-wide competition is available online. The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer.


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