Postdoctoral, Visiting Scientist, and Predoctoral Fellowships
Smithsonian Fellowship and Peter Buck Fellowship
The Department of Mineral Sciences, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, invites fellowship applications. Active areas of research include volcanology, meteorite studies, solar system formation, planetary formation and evolution, mineral spectroscopy, geomicrobiology, environmental mineralogy, experimental petrology, mineral physics, and petrology/geochemistry. The department houses world-class experimental and analytical laboratories including electron microprobe, FE-SEM, XRD, FTIR, Time of Flight-SIMS, fluid inclusion heating/freezing unit, cathodoluminescence microscope and spectrometer, wet chemistry lab, experimental laboratories (gas-mixing, hydrothermal, piston-cylinder, diamond-anvil cell), and molecular- and micro-biology facilities. 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: Department of Mineral Sciences website.
Graduate fellowships are funded for 10 weeks; postdoctoral candidates should request 3 years (36 months). Application information for the institution-wide competition is available from the Smithsonian's Office of Fellowships. The application deadline is January 15th, 2012. The Smithsonian Institution is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Postdoctoral Fellow – Quantifying Volcanic CO2 Emissions
We invite applications for a postdoctoral fellowship to use extant satellite data to quantify volcanic CO2 emissions globally. The position is part of a collaborative project between Kelly Chance of the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, Smithsonian Institution, Cambridge, MA, Elizabeth Cottrell, and Ben Andrews (both of the Global Volcanism Program, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, DC). The project is funded through a pilot grant from the Reservoirs & Fluxes Directorate of the Deep Carbon Observatory initiative and the Smithsonian Grand Challenges Consortia. The post-doc will be employed by the Smithsonian Institution to mine satellite data archives, collaboratively perform spectral analysis of satellite data for determining CO2 column amounts, and to perform statistical analysis. This will be achieved using current algorithms and through the development of new algorithms. The postdoc will also be involved with the selection of volcanic targets and interpretation/modeling of the data. Experience in statistical data analysis and ability to program in a higher level language (e.g. FORTRAN) are highly desirable.
Funding is for two years and includes a stipend of $56,000 in year 1 and $57,000 in year 2 plus a stipend for health insurance. The fellow will reside in Washington and will travel to Cambridge, MA regularly. To apply, please send CV, contact information and names of at least two references familiar with your work to by email to Elizabeth Cottrell. The position is available immediately but could begin as late as September 2012. We will continue to accept applications until the position is filled but will begin reviewing applications in March, 2012. The Smithsonian Institution is an equal opportunity employer.
Global Volcanism Program Fellowship
We invite applications for a postdoctoral fellowship or visiting senior scientist position in the Department of Mineral Sciences, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution in the field of volcanology. The fellowship is sponsored by the Global Volcanism Program. 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), CV, and names of at least two references familiar with your work to Elizabeth Cottrell. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis; however we anticipate making our next award decision in May of 2012. For further information, contact Elizabeth Cottrell or Benjamin Andrews. The Smithsonian Institution is an equal opportunity employer.
Further Information
- The successful candidate will start in 2012, and no later than January 2013. We anticipate issuing another call for proposals in the fall of 2012.
- The position is for one year, but may be extended based upon progress and availability of funds.
- The stipend for postdoctoral research fellows is $53,000 per year. The stipend for visiting senior scientists will be negotiated on a case by case basis.
- 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.
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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