Mendenhall Program: Landslide-related opportunities
Mendenhall opportunities associated with landslides are now available! Please see individual opportunity information for closing dates.
It is anticipated that these positions 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.
Please send general inquiries to the Mendenhall Program email box: mendenhall@usgs.gov
22-15. Landslide process and hazard characterization using ground-based synthetic aperture radar
We seek a Mendenhall Postdoctoral Scholar to investigate and develop ground-based interferometric SAR methods for detecting, tracking, and warning for landslide motion with the goal of increasing our understanding of landslide kinematics, landslide hazard characterization and subsequent risk reduction.
22-18. Application of engineering geology principles to support the advancement of landslide science and hazard assessment in Alaska
Due to its complex geology and dynamic landscape, the State of Alaska is particularly susceptible to extremely large landslides. This research opportunity seeks to advance the fundamental science of landslide hazard assessment in Alaska, applying principles of engineering geology and related disciplines through use of laboratory, field, numerical, and/or empirical approaches.
22-22. Quantifying impacts of landslide disasters on communities in the United States
Landslides pose a threat to people, buildings, infrastructure, and natural and cultural resources. However, there remains very little quantitative characterization of the impacts of landslides. We seek a Mendenhall to develop a better understanding of how communities across the U.S. are exposed to and impacted by landslides to better prepare and mitigate against future landslide risk.
22-24. Simulation of granular fluids for cascading hazard investigation
Simulation of the movement of granular fluids over complex terrain is a core tool for assessing a wide range of geophysical hazards, from the growth and runout of postfire debris flows to the generation of landslide displacement waves. We seek a Mendenhall to advance the theory, numerics, software, validation, or application of granular fluid modeling in service of hazard assessment.
22-25. Advancing the operational capacity of postfire debris-flow hazard assessments through better understanding of debris-flow processes
For postfire debris flows, the USGS performs hazard assessments using operational models to estimate the likelihood of debris-flow initiation and the magnitude of debris-flow volume. This opportunity is aimed at research to inform several emerging priorities related to postfire debris-flow hazards that will refine or result in new operational products.
22-26. Advancing methods for the systematic regional surveillance of landslides using aerial and satellite imagery
Systematic surveillance of landslide movement is critical for hazard assessments, but methodological best practices and fundamental limitations of large spatial and temporal scale systems using remotely sensed data are poorly constrained. Designing and evaluating a versatile system supports reducing losses by improving monitoring capabilities and hazards assessments.