Coal Remote Sensing

Student Contractor position in coal and coal waste remote sensing at the U.S. Geological Survey, GEMSC SPEC lab, Reston, Virginia

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Geology, Energy & Minerals Science Center (GEMSC) is hiring a student contractor to conduct spectral characterization of coal and coal waste materials in support of both Energy Resources Program (ERP) and Mineral Resources Program (MRP) goals of determining new sources of critical minerals such as those containing rare earth elements (REEs) and other key commodities susceptible to supply chain disruptions. The candidate will provide support for projects that will determine the mineralogical and geochemical composition of mine waste (initially coal mine waste) from both solid and aqueous (e.g. acid-mine drainage) sources. This work will include helping to build spectral libraries of such materials and determining the detection limits of critical elements and minerals they may host. This will be especially useful for developing methods for detecting critical minerals, elements, and their host rocks using remote sensing data acquired at various scales and resolutions, including drone-based instruments all the way up to satellite hyperspectral sensors.

The GEMSC is therefore seeking a current student or recent graduate with minimally a master’s degree in an Earth Sciences field or higher. The candidate must have completed at least one course in environmental geochemistry or comparable courses, and have some experience in using spectral-based or remote sensing image analytical software. Basic coursework in mineralogy and petrology is preferred but not required. 

The position will be full-time, and the candidate must report to the duty station in Reston, Virginia. 

Applicants are encouraged to send a cover letter, CV, and any questions to Bernard Hubbard (bhubbard@usgs.gov) by 01/23/26.