This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/746979000. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
What General Information Do I Need to Know About This Position?
Salary: $94,199 (Step 01) to $122,459 (Step 10).
NOTE: First time hires to the Federal Government are typically hired at the Step 01.
There is one vacancy; however, this announcement may be used to fill additional vacancies if they become available.
09/05/2023 to 11/01/2023
$94,199 - $122,459 per year
GS 12
No
Yes—as determined by the agency policy.
Occasional travel - You may be expected to travel for this position.
No
Term - 2 years
Full-time
Excepted
12
No
No
USGS-RES-23-12102833-MNH-DW
746979000
Open to all qualified candidates who meet the eligibility requirements of the Mendenhall Postdoctoral Research Fellowship. Because this fellowship is a U.S. Government position, preference must be given to U.S. citizens. Citizens of other nations may be considered under certain circumstances, i.e., when there are no qualified U.S. citizen applicants available. In those instances, the USGS may consider making an offer to a non-citizen provided applicable laws and regulations are followed.
Mendenhall Postdoctoral Research Fellowship - Research Opportunity #: 22-11. Regional economic potential for select critical minerals, Deep Creek-Tintic Belt, greater west-central Utah
Topaz-bearing rhyolites, such as those associated with volcanogenic Be deposits, are of resource significance for a wide range of additional rare-metal commodities in a variety of deposit types. Their established economic importance includes (1) volcanogenic deposits of Be, U, Sn, and fluorite, (2) fluorite- and silver-rich base metal ores, and (3) topaz-rich porphyry molybdenum ? tungsten deposits of the Climax and Henderson type. Fluorine-rich rhyolites that host volcanogenic Be deposits can also be associated with elevated and potentially economic concentrations of thorium, niobium, and rare earth elements (REEs). Deposit types found in close spatial association with the world-class Be-(U-F-REE-Li) volcanogenic deposits near Spor Mountain, Juab County, Utah, include (1) widely disseminated breccia pipe fluorite deposits, (2) classic volcanogenic uranium deposits/occurrences, and (3) pegmatitic and fumarolic beryl deposits. The Spor Mountain Be-(U-F-REE-Li) deposit provides a keystone because of recently determined geochronology and exploration strategies research that can be used for further mineral exploration in the region.
The world-class Spor Mountain Be deposit occurs in an area of extensive alkalic rhyolitic ash flow tuffs and Oligocene and Eocene calderas underlain by Paleozoic and older limestone, dolomite, shale, and quartzite. Spor Mountain is part of the Deep Creek-Tintic mineral belt. In addition to beryllium and fluorite at Spor Mountain, the belt contains other beryllium occurrences as well as deposits or occurrences of copper, base metals, gold, lithium, and uranium. These are distributed between the Deep Creek Mountains on the west and the East Tintic Mountains to the east. Older geophysical studies identified pronounced aeromagnetic anomalies, in part reflecting igneous stocks and thick accumulations of volcanic rocks in calderas, accompanying the mineral belt. The apparent geological uniqueness of the Spor Mountain deposit has been a source of controversy due, in part, to the lack of a modern comprehensive geologic framework and ore genesis models for the region. Recent USGS studies of the deposit and host volcanics of the Spor Mountain Formation (SMF) have established a more comprehensive geologic framework and ore genesis model for the deposit based on U/Pb zircon crystallization ages and the metallogeny of the upper topaz rhyolite and underlying stratified tuff that make up the SMF. Ongoing studies are addressing fundamental questions regarding ages and chemical evolution of the regionally extensive package of volcanic rocks that includes the SMF, and their regional metallogenic evolution. These studies have significantly advanced our understanding of the age, chemistry, and metallogeny of the regional volcanic rock sequence that includes the SMF.
We seek a Mendenhall Postdoctoral Fellow to further advance our understanding of crustal evolution and the regional economic potential for additional minerals on the U.S. Critical Minerals List that occur in greater West-Central Utah, with a focus on the Deep Creek-Tintic belt. The temporal, structural, and evolutionary relationships shared by the world-class Be deposit at Spor Mountain and other regionally distributed deposits and occurrences remain enigmatic.
Proposed Duty Station: Reston, Virginia
Areas of Ph.D: Geology, geochemistry, geophysics, or related fields (candidates holding a Ph.D. in other disciplines, but with extensive knowledge and skills relevant to the Research Opportunity may be considered).
Qualifications: Applicants must meet one of the following qualifications: Research Geologist, Research Geophysicist, Research Physical Scientist, Research Chemist
(This type of research is performed by those who have backgrounds for the occupations stated above. However, other titles may be applicable depending on the applicant's background, education, and research proposal. The final classification of the position will be made by the Human Resources specialist.)
Physical/Environmental Demands: Work is performed in office, laboratory, and field settings and can require special safety precautions and/or protective clothing and equipment. Office work involves everyday risks or discomforts that require normal safety precautions typical of offices or meeting and training rooms. Laboratory work involves exposure to moderate risks and discomforts that require normal safety precautions. Field work involves exposure to moderate, and potentially high, risks and discomforts. The employee applies a wide range of safety precautions when controlled conditions deteriorate due to unforeseen conditions or previously unknown risks.
Key Requirements:
Are There Any Special Requirements For This Position?
General Information
The Mendenhall Research Fellowship Program provides an opportunity for postdoctoral fellows to conduct concentrated research in association with USGS scientists, often as a final element to their formal career preparation. The Program also provides: 1) research experiences that enhance the scientific stature and credentials of the Fellows; and 2) scientific expertise to assist in the implementation of the USGS Strategic Plan and the science strategy of its programs. Mendenhall Fellows are expected to publish their results in peer-reviewed scientific outlets.
Eligibility Requirements
In order to be considered for these opportunities, candidates must:
(1) have successfully completed a Ph.D. in a field related to the described Research Opportunity no earlier than September 5, 2018 (5 years before the announcement opening date); OR
(2) if close to completion, have all Ph.D. requirements completed and must submit proof of completion prior to receiving an official start date;
(3) meet the qualification requirements described in the Research Opportunity. The research proposal submitted must demonstrate that the applicant is equipped with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties for the specific Research Opportunity.
Start Date and Completion of PhD:
It is anticipated that this position will start no later than March 2025. The person selected must have all PhD requirements completed and MUST submit proof of completion prior to receiving an official start date. Exceptions may be made for a later start date on a case-by-case basis.
NOTICE TO NON-CITIZENS
Under Executive Order 11935, only United States citizens and nationals (residents of American Samoa and Swains Island) may compete for civil service jobs. A Federal agency is permitted to hire non-citizens only in very limited circumstances where there are no qualified citizens available for the position, AND the non-citizen meets the appropriation act and immigration laws. Read the information provided in the following link. If a non-citizen does not meet the appropriation act and immigration laws, then they cannot be considered for this Mendenhall Opportunity. Please contact the person under Agency Contact Information for questions about eligibility and further assistance. https://www.usajobs.gov/Help/working-in-government/non-citizens/.
Foreign Education. You must provide proof, if the foreign education determines your qualifications for the position. Education completed in foreign colleges or universities may be used to meet Federal qualification requirements if the applicant can show that the foreign education is comparable to education received in accredited educational institutions in the United States. It is the applicant's responsibility to provide such evidence when applying for Federal jobs. If selected, you will be required to provide official proof that such education has been deemed at least equivalent to that gained in conventional U.S. education program. For more information on how foreign education is evaluated, visit: https://www.usgs.gov/about/organization/science-support/human-capital/how-foreign-education-evaluated-federal-jobs .
You must meet all eligibility requirements for the position by the closing date of the announcement.
Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g. Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies, knowledge, and skills and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
You will be evaluated for this job based on how well you meet the qualifications above.
The Human Resources Office will provide the hiring official with application material for review and consideration. The Research Advisor and/or hiring official will review the application material and contact candidates for interviews as needed. A subject matter expert panel will be convened. If an applicant is chosen for an opportunity and meets the qualification requirements, the Human Resources Office will contact the applicant and make a firm job offer. For Research Opportunities with multiple duty stations, the selection of the official duty station will be made by the USGS.
Applicants must submit the following for each individual Research Opportunity for which they are applying.
Applications should be prepared as follows (preferably in PDF): 1) Research proposal ONLY; 2) Budget estimate; 3) Resum? or CV; 4) Educational transcripts; 5) List of literature references cited in the proposal, if applicable; and 6) supporting veterans documentation, if applicable.
Clicking on the "APPLY NOW" button in each Research Opportunity will take applicants to the USAJOBS application for that particular Opportunity. For technical assistance for submitting an application through USAJOBS, contact the HR Specialist listed as the Point of Contact listed in this announcement.
PDF conversion tools are readily available via the Internet. Some examples can be accessed at the following sites: http://www.ps2pdf.com/ http://www.pdf995.com/ Disclaimer: Hypertext links and other references to non-USGS products and services are provided for information only and do not constitute endorsement or warranty, express or implied, by the USGS, DOI, or U.S. Government, as to their suitability, content, usefulness, functioning, completeness, or accuracy. In addition, documents that do not easily lend themselves to conversion may be faxed. Contact the appropriate Human Resources Office to make arrangements.
If a complete application package is not submitted, the applicant will not be considered for the position. Requests for deadline extensions will not be granted. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure the successful conveyance of the application package. Applicants will receive a confirmation e-mail upon receipt. Application packages must be received by 11:59 p.m. (U.S. Eastern Time) on the closing date of the announcement. It is against the law to submit applications for employment using Government paid postage envelopes or mail services (18 USC 1719). Such application packages will not be considered. Application material will not be returned.
Education must be accredited by an accrediting institution recognized by the U.S. Department of Education in order for it to be credited towards qualifications. Therefore, provide only the attendance and/or degrees from schools accredited by accrediting institutions recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
Failure to provide all of the required information as stated in this vacancy announcement may result in an ineligible rating or may affect the overall rating.
If an applicant is chosen for an opportunity and meets the qualification requirements, the Human Resources Office will contact the applicant and make a firm job offer.
The Federal hiring process is set up to be fair and transparent. Please read the following guidance.
This job originated on www.usajobs.gov. For the full announcement and to apply, visit www.usajobs.gov/job/746979000. Only resumes submitted according to the instructions on the job announcement listed at www.usajobs.gov will be considered.
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