Research Associate Jobs

About The Position

Requirements

• PhD in Geology or Geochemistry; PhD requirements must be completed by the commencement of the appointment and within the previous five years.
• Research experience in economic geology, mineralogy, and/or igneous petrology.
• Hands-on LA-ICP-MS experience, including sample preparation, instrument operation and tuning, calibration with reference materials, and data reduction using software such as Iolite, LADR, or Glitter.
• Experience characterizing REE-bearing or other critical mineral assemblages using transmitted- and reflected-light petrography, SEM/EDS, and bulk-rock geochemical methods.
• Experience planning or conducting geological or geochemical field studies, sample collection, or drill-core logging for research or application.
• Ability to analyze and interpret geological and geochemical data using computer software and combine information to form general rules or conclusions.
• Demonstrated oral communication skills and published written communication skills in English.
• Ability to work effectively as a team member, be self-motivated, and take direction from team members and peers.

Nice To Haves

• Research experience with carbonatite, alkaline igneous, or other REE-Th deposits.
• Experience constructing elemental or mineral deportment models, or using automated mineralogy such as QEMSCAN, MLA, or TIMA.
• Experience with electron probe microanalysis and element mapping.
• Familiarity with geometallurgy or mineral processing and with how mineral texture, grain size, and liberation affect beneficiation.
• Proficiency in geochemical data analysis and visualization using Python, R, MATLAB, or commercial programs such as IoGAS, including statistical or machine-learning approaches to mineral classification.
• Experience working with naturally occurring radioactive material (NORM) or in radiological laboratory settings.
• Experience mentoring students or interns.
• Experience with LA-ICP-MS elemental mapping.

Responsibilities

• Plan and conduct geological and geochemical field studies and collect surface samples and drill core from active exploration and mining programs.
• Collect, compile, organize, and interpret research data, and propose additional data collection.
• Characterize samples using X-ray diffraction, petrography, electron probe microanalysis, LA-ICP-MS spot analysis and elemental mapping, and whole-rock geochemistry.
• Integrate characterization data into deposit-wide elemental deportment models that identify mineral species and guide beneficiation circuit design.
• Work effectively as a member of an interdisciplinary R&D team and collaborate with university researchers and INL geoscientists, metallurgists, and chemists.
• Write scientific manuscripts for journal publication and present research results at conferences and meetings.
• Contribute to invention disclosures and help develop follow-on proposals.
• Support representation of the Department through programmatic and technical presentations to sponsors and peers.