TOP

Education / Research

Undergraduate studies:   There are many opportunities for undergraduates in the Department and with our group. Information on the undergraduate major and minor can be found on the the Department of Geosciences web site. Besides classes and formal activities, SESS (the undergraduate geology club), the SEG student chapter, and GeoDaze offer great ways to be involved in the geosciences.

Graduate studies: There are many opportunities for graduate studies in Geosciences, and with our group on topics ranging from economic geology to geochemistry and petrology to structure and tectonics. See the research page for description of interests and current projects. Information on admissions including contacts, forms, procedures, and financial aid is located on the Department of Geosciences web site.

Post-doctoral positions: Post-doctoral positions are flexible and reflect funding and interests of individuals. A number of NSF, industry, and USGS funded projects over the years have included post-doctoral support. With independent salary support post-doctoral there are many options -- office space and some research support are generally readily arranged if projects are compatible with our overall activities. Open positions will be advertised, however if you are interested in post-doctoral opportunities, please contact me directly.

Jobs / Internships

Jobs in our group: In addition to graduate student support (generally RAs, rarely TAs), we typically employ several undergraduate work-study students in our group during the academic year and, commonly, during the summer. These positions are part of our current research and teaching for example, as part of joint U.S.G.S. or industry-funded projects. They range from library and GIS projects to helping with prep and analytical studies in various labs to field work. We encourage motivated students with an interest in geology to inquire about opportunities. Specific openings are advertised to the undergraduate majors.

Off-campus: Many students find short-term and permanent jobs opportunities with industry or the U.S. Geological Survey, in addition to academic and other pursuits (what my former grad students are doing). Petroleum companies, mining companies, and consultancies routinely interview on campus or solicit names of our students for internships and open positions. Recent mining companies through include Newmont, BHP-Billiton, and Phelps Dodge. Oil companies routinely interviewing in Geosciences include Chevron-Texaco, Exxon-Mobil, ConocoPhillips, and BP. Scheduled interview visits, industry talks, and some job openings are commonly posted on Department web pages.

TOP

Opportunities for collaboration

Jobs in our group: In addition to graduate student support (generally RAs, rarely TAs), we typically employ several undergraduate work-study students in our group during the academic year and, commonly, during the summer. These positions are part of our current research and teaching for example, as part of joint U.S.G.S. or industry-funded projects. They range from library and GIS projects to helping with prep and analytical studies in various labs to field work. We encourage motivated students with an interest in geology to inquire about opportunities. Specific openings are advertised to the undergraduate majors.

TOP

Sustaining Mineral Resource Studies

We need you to make a difference! Outside commitments, be they through collaborative projects, supporting and employing students, or providing financial support is essential to maintaining viable and productive economic geology programs. Minerals education is at risk in the United States, no matter what its aim: basic concepts, societal relevance, or needs of industry. Expertise and education on minerals issues are imploding (figure) in the United States and, indeed, in much of the developed world. This is happening in spite of the fundamental role of mineral resources in civilization, the increasing production and use in the U.S. and globally, and the need for socially responsible and economically sound use of these materials. The fundamental reason is that minerals programs tend to be small and are at risk of elimination any time there is a down turn in the employment market and an academic focus on other, better funded topics.

TOP