The U.S. Geological Survey is seeking new Mendenhall Research Fellows! The USGS 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 enhance their formal career preparation. The opportunities are open through Friday, November 1, 2024.
For over 145 years, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) has established itself as a leader in Earth science, providing expertise to support decision-makers, land managers, and the public. From foundational bedrock research to groundbreaking innovations, USGS scientists have consistently been at the forefront of research on environmental issues, natural resources, natural hazards, and the country’s mapping needs.
The excellence of our scientists fuels our scientific achievements. To recruit the next generation of top scientists, we invite applicants to join our Mendenhall Research Fellowship cohort for 2024. Visit our page to learn how to apply!
What’s a Mendenhall Fellow?
About 20 years ago, the fifth director of the USGS started a new postdoctoral research program in honor of Walter C. Mendenhall (1871-1957), known as the Mendenhall Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program. This program, now called the Mendenhall Research Fellowship Program, offers postdoctoral fellows the opportunity to conduct research that enhances their experiences, scientific stature, and credentials in various fields.
Applicants can choose from a range of projects that best align with their interests and expertise. Each project is supported by one or more USGS scientists who coordinate the fellowship. The projects cover a wide array of scientific disciplines.
Why Should You Become a Mendenhall Fellow?
In addition to competitive pay and benefits, Mendenhall Fellows work on exciting projects while collaborating with top-tier scientists. Many of our Mendenhall Fellows go on to leadership roles within the agency.
The reasons to become a Mendenhall Fellow are as varied as the fellows themselves. Let’s hear directly from some of them about what they enjoy about being Mendenhall Fellows and what they gain from the position.
Hope Ianiri is a USGS Mendenhall Fellow at the Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center who received her PhD in ocean sciences from the University of California. Currently, Hope’s research focuses on understanding where organic carbon in marine sediments comes from and how easily living things can use it. This is key to determining how disturbances might affect this stored carbon and what that could mean for bottom-dwelling communities.
“As a Mendenhall Fellow, I have the freedom to pursue research questions I find compelling and significant yet also contribute to federal science priorities. While my research leverages my previous scientific training, I am also constantly learning and always feel intellectually challenged. I am well-supported in this work and am grateful for a fantastic team of mentors, collaborators, and colleagues.
Two highlights of my Mendenhall fellowship are the amazing field opportunities I've had and the supportive, interdisciplinary team I work with. I've spent months at sea collecting samples from deep-sea mineral systems off the coast of California, the Galapagos Spreading Center, and I’m soon headed to Hawaii. On each expedition I am grateful to experience firsthand views of the deep-sea, including the extraordinary creatures that live there, hydrothermal vents, minerals, and more. I also work with interdisciplinary teams studying each piece of these systems, including biologic communities, minerology, and my piece, organic geochemistry, and carbon storage. By bringing together experts in so many different fields, we can come to a holistic understanding of these settings that would not be possible alone. I learn so much from these colleagues, and we have a lot of fun doing it!”
Ross Salerno is a Mendenhall Fellow at the USGS Geology, Energy & Minerals (GEM) Science Center in Reston, Virginia. Currently, Ross is investigating the tectonic setting and mineral systems of ancient land areas in the northern Mid-Continent region.
"It is really exciting to be part of the Mendenhall Program, where my specific scientific interests are supported and integrated into research projects of national importance. The USGS is a great place to work. I’m able to collaborate with scientists across different geoscience disciplines to design interdisciplinary research projects that tackle questions bigger than any of us could handle alone."
Lisa Zieman is a USGS Mendenhall Fellow who received her PhD in geological sciences from the University of Arizona. Currently, her research focuses on magmatic ore deposits and how ancient tectonic activity affects important mineral systems.
“The Mendenhall program has given me the opportunity to shift my research focus toward mineral resource-related topics that are very different from my PhD work, while still using methods I learned in graduate school. I have really enjoyed collaborating with other USGS scientists and making connections with university and USGS labs within the U.S. and internationally. Despite leading an independent research project as a Mendenhall Fellow, I have received great mentorship at the USGS and become involved in other interesting projects. Finally, this fellowship has allowed me to continue doing fieldwork in scenic places as well as lab work in-house regularly.”
Maria Figueroa is a USGS Mendenhall Fellow who received her PhD in geochemistry from the University of California, Riverside, and has joined the Global Marine Mineral Resources team at the Pacific Coastal and Marine Science Center. Her research focuses on understanding how much critical metal is found in seafloor massive sulfide deposits by using both chemical analysis and machine learning methods.
“Being a Mendenhall has been an incredible opportunity for growth as an early-career professional. I’m able to pursue research I’m passionate about, supported by a large network of dedicated scientists, and learn how to translate my work into insights that inform policymakers and the public.
The Mendenhall program offers a unique postdoctoral opportunity to advance your career in an impactful way. As a Mendenhall Fellow, you conduct cutting-edge research that is directly tied to real-world issues, making it a great path for early-career scientists looking to make a meaningful impact.”
How to Apply
Check out the list of active projects seeking Mendenhall Fellows. Choose the project that best aligns with your interests and qualifications and apply! Here’s more information on how to do that.
To qualify, you must meet the following two requirements:
- Have obtained your PhD no earlier than five years before the application opening date. The degree must be completed by the start of employment.
- Meet the qualification requirements described in the research opportunity. Applicants must address the USGS scientific needs outlined in the research opportunity description. Their proposal must demonstrate that they have the knowledge, skills, and abilities to successfully perform the duties of the specific position. If they do not, they may not be considered.
Applicants must submit their application form by Nov. 1, 2024.
For more information, contact Cara Campbell, manager of the Mendenhall Research Fellowship Program, at ccampbell@usgs.gov or email the general Mendenhall Research Fellowship mailbox at mendenhall@usgs.gov.
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