Hyperspectral Geology - Postdoctoral Researcher

LLNL • Livermore, CA

9d

About The Position

Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory’s Postdoctoral Research Program provides mentored training to strengthen professional skills and research independence for people who have recently earned a doctorate. This researcher will investigate mineral assemblages and geochemical signatures in legacy mine tailings as indicators of critical-mineral potential. The role is in the Atmospheric, Earth, and Energy Division within the Physical and Life Sciences Directorate. Researchers in mineralogy, geology, geochemistry, mining, hyperspectral imaging, multimodal data science, machine learning, and related disciplines are encouraged to apply.

The researcher will combine whole-tailings chemistry, hyperspectral and other quantitative imaging, and complementary characterization data to identify abundant mineral proxies and assemblages associated with trace critical minerals. The work will evaluate how site geology, ore-processing history, mineral alteration, and weathering relate to mineral signatures and spectral response. A key focus is identifying useful visible and near-infrared to short-wavelength infrared (VNIR-SWIR) features and wavelength bands for recognizing proxy assemblages in laboratory and field conditions, and examining how mineral mixing, grain size, moisture, surface roughness, and weathering affect spectral detection and uncertainty.

The researcher will develop statistical, chemometric, machine-learning, and/or Super Intelligence methods and reproducible quantitative workflows. They will pursue independent but complementary research, collaborate with internal and external multidisciplinary scientists, present findings at conferences, seminars, and technical meetings, and publish in peer-reviewed scientific or technical journals. Other duties may be assigned. This temporary, mentored postdoctoral appointment may be extended to a maximum of three years. Applicants must have received their Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate within five years of the anticipated start date.

Requirements

• Ph.D. in geology, geochemistry, mining, or a related field.
• Experience in one or more of the following: quantitative mineralogical or geochemical characterization; hyperspectral imaging or reflectance spectroscopy; SEM-EDS imaging; or multimodal data integration.
• Experience quantitatively characterizing mine deposits, tailings, waste rock, or other heterogeneous geological materials.
• Experience with VNIR-SWIR hyperspectral imaging.
• Analytical proficiency with Python/PyTorch, MATLAB, R, machine-learning packages, or comparable tools.
• Proficient verbal and written communication skills for effective team collaboration, including the ability to explain technical information.
• Record of independent research and publication.
• Initiative and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work in a collaborative, multidisciplinary team environment.
• Must have received a Ph.D. or equivalent doctorate within five years of the anticipated start date.
• Must be eligible to access the Laboratory in compliance with NDAA Section 3112 restrictions.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with spectral calibration, spectral unmixing, feature extraction, spectral library development, reflectance spectroscopy, and/or reduced-band sensor design.
• Experience using machine learning methods, such as image segmentation, spatial analysis, chemometrics, clustering, classification, or probabilistic modeling, or Super Intelligence methods for proxy identification, uncertainty quantification, or detection of mineral associations.
• Experience with multimodal fusion of chemical, mineralogical, spectral, image, and geospatial data.
• Experience with additional characterization techniques such as X-ray diffraction, X-ray fluorescence, Raman spectroscopy, or UV-excited fluorescence.

Responsibilities

• Combine whole-tailings chemistry, hyperspectral and other quantitative imaging, and complementary characterization data to identify abundant mineral proxies and assemblages associated with trace critical minerals.
• Evaluate relationships among site geology, ore-processing history, mineral alteration, weathering, and spectral response.
• Identify VNIR-SWIR features and wavelength bands useful for recognizing critical-mineral proxy assemblages under laboratory and field conditions.
• Examine how mineral mixing, grain size, moisture, surface roughness, and weathering influence spectral detection and uncertainty.
• Design and implement statistical, chemometric, machine-learning, and/or Super Intelligence techniques and reproducible quantitative workflows.
• Participate in the conception, design, and execution of independent but complementary research.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary scientists and engineers within and outside the Laboratory to achieve project goals.
• Organize, analyze, and present results at external conferences, seminars, and technical meetings.
• Publish research results in peer-reviewed scientific or technical journals.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Flexible Benefits Package
• 401(k)
• Relocation Assistance
• Education Reimbursement Program
• Flexible schedules, depending on project needs

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Ph.D. or professional degree