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Assistant/Associate/Professor - Geoscience of Critical Minerals
Arizona State University: Office of the University Provost, Tempe campus: The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences: School of Earth and Space Exploration
Location
Tempe Campus
Open Date
Dec 25, 2025
Description
The School of Earth and Space Exploration (SESE) at Arizona State University (ASU) welcomes applications for a new faculty tenure-track position with research and teaching interests in the geoscience of critical mineral resources. Specifically, we seek applicants who are broadly trained geoscientists specializing in research about the origin, formation, evolution, and distribution of mineral resources of societal value. This will be a tenured/tenure-track hire, meaning that geoscientists at any career level are welcome to apply.
We seek a creative, bold, and innovative scholar who conducts research relevant to critical minerals, is motivated broadly by basic geoscience and by sustainability, and is enthusiastic about interdisciplinary research to solve problems, in the SESE mold. The successful applicant will develop a collaborative research program that builds on strengths within SESE (e.g., geoscience, planetary science, astrophysics, and systems engineering) and ASU (e.g., sustainability, economics, and geopolitics of critical minerals). The successful applicant will also be a flexible and motivated instructor, capable of teaching SESE core geoscience courses as well as courses in their specialty, and of teaching in the field, classroom, laboratory, and online.
About the School of Earth and Space Exploration
SESE is a vibrant community that combines the strengths of science, engineering, and education to set the stage for a new era of exploration. Active research in SESE includes, but is not limited to, the geology, geophysics, and geochemistry of Earth and other planetary bodies, exploration systems design and instrumentation, exoplanets, astrobiology, astronomy, astrophysics, cosmology, and Earth and space science education. A central part of SESE’s mission is to develop and deploy new technologies that enable cutting-edge scientific exploration, building on half a century of ASU faculty, staff, and student participation and leadership in exploration and study of Earth and the Solar System. SESE maintains world-class shared facilities and expertise to support the development and operation of exploratory missions around the globe and in space, including active participation in NASA missions involving the asteroid Psyche, the Moon, Mars, and Europa. See https://sese.asu.edu for more information.
About The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is the academic heart of Arizona State University, committed to improving communities on a local, national, and global scale. We support the professional development and growth of our faculty and staff in their cutting-edge research to advance these aims. Within The College, our faculty engage with a large, curious student body, guiding them as they grow into socially aware, critical thinkers and writers able to succeed in a wide range of careers and to address the challenges of the twenty-first century. Advancing the success of our students remains our top priority. To learn more about The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, please visit https://thecollege.asu.edu.
About Arizona State University
ASU exemplifies a new prototype for the American public research university. As articulated in the ASU Charter ASU is a comprehensive public research university, measured not by whom it excludes, but by whom it includes and how they succeed; advancing research and discovery of public value; and assuming fundamental responsibility for the economic, social, cultural, and overall health of the communities it serves.
Qualifications
Essential Functions:
Fund, conduct, and disseminate scholarly research in the geoscience of critical mineral resources.
Teach SESE undergraduate and graduate geoscience courses, including core and branch courses and courses in their specialty.
Support and mentor Masters and Doctoral level graduate students in SESE.
Serve SESE, the College, and the University through committee service.
Actively collaborate in and serve the geoscience professional community through participation in conferences, organizational service, journal and proposal reviewing, and similar functions.
Required Qualifications:
An earned doctorate in a geoscience field with direct relevance to critical minerals, by the time of appointment.
A record of scholarly research, teaching and/or mentoring, and professional accomplishments commensurate with the candidate's current career stage.
Experience conducting or supervising field-based research.
Demonstrated capacity to teach SESE core geoscience courses as well as courses in their specialty, and capable of teaching in the field, classroom, laboratory, and online.
Desired Qualifications:
Enthusiasm for making connections across geoscience domains to solve problems.
Enthusiasm for collaborating broadly across SESE and across ASU.
Capacity to maintain an interdisciplinary research portfolio.
Capacity to effectively utilize existing research facilities in SESE and across ASU, and a commitment to making any new facilities they establish broadly accessible.
Research activity or interests that include, but may not be limited to, the Cordillera of southwestern North America.
Demonstrated commitment to working with faculty, staff, students, and communities to advance the principles of the ASU Charter.
Application Instructions
The application deadline is February 2, 2026
Applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis for a reserve pool. Applications in the reserve pool may then be reviewed in the order in which they were received until the position is filled. Candidates will be asked to create or use an existing Interfolio Dossier to submit the following application materials:
Cover letter summarizing applicant’s suitability for the position
Current curriculum vitae
Contact information for three references
Overview of the applicant’s plans for research in geoscience of critical mineral resources not longer than 2 pages (including figures) using 12-point font. References can extend onto additional pages.
Overview on the applicant’s plans for teaching and mentoring in geoscience of critical mineral resources not longer than 2 pages (including figures) using 12-point font. References can extend onto additional pages.
Application Process
This institution is using Interfolio's Faculty Search to conduct this search. Applicants to this position receive a free Dossier account and can send all application materials, including confidential letters of recommendation, free of charge.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
A background check is required for employment. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.
See https://www.asu.edu/aad/manuals/acd/acd401.html and https://www.asu.edu/titleIX/.
In compliance with federal law, ASU prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and resources. ASU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://www.asu.edu/police/PDFs/ASU-Clery-Report.pdf You may request a hard copy of the report by contacting the ASU Police Department at 480-965-3456.
Please check back at a later time for any new openings. Thank you.
Program overview
The mission of the Exploration Fellowships is to foster a leading, interdisciplinary postdoctoral fellowship program in the School of Earth and Space Exploration at ASU by attracting and supporting outstanding early-career scientists. Research areas within the School encompass theoretical and observational astronomy, cosmology, astrobiology, earth sciences, climate science, planetary sciences, exploration systems engineering, astronomical instrumentation, and science education. Applicants whose dissertation research was in any of these research areas, and especially those with aspirations to extend their portfolios in an interdisciplinary way, are encouraged to apply.
The Exploration Fellowship program typically appoints up to two new Fellows per year for three-year fellowship durations. Fellows are selected through a competitive proposal process in the fall. Watch the website for information about future fellowship opportunities.
All current Exploration Fellows receive:
- Competitive annual stipend, health benefits, and support programs (postdoc resources and guidelines at ASU)
- Discretionary research funds
- Personal career mentoring through association with two primary faculty mentors in the School of Earth and Space Exploration
- Independence in research direction and activities
Read about current and former Exploration Fellows and their research interests.
Exploration Fellowship in Earth and Space Science FY26
The School of Earth and Space Exploration (SESE) in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Arizona State University invites applications for its Postdoctoral Research Scholar Exploration Fellowship. The mission of the postdoctoral fellowship is to foster SESE’s interdisciplinary research program by attracting and supporting outstanding early-career scientists and engineers to pursue independent research in collaboration with SESE faculty. Research areas within SESE encompass theoretical and observational astrophysics, astrobiology, cosmology, geology, Earth surface processes, planetary science, instrumentation and systems engineering, and science education.
The anticipated start date for the position is July 2026. Incoming Fellows will receive a competitive stipend with health benefits, plus discretionary research funds. A relocation allowance will also be provided. The initial appointment is for one year with subsequent annual renewal for up to a total of three years, contingent upon satisfactory performance, the needs of the university, and the availability of resources.
Interested candidates should contact two faculty members in SESE to discuss potential collaborative research topics and determine whether they would agree to serve as an Exploration Fellow mentor. Preference will be given to proposals that include interdisciplinary research spanning multiple research areas within SESE and that address important questions that will have a significant impact.
Essential duties of the position: The successful applicant will conduct original research, document results, and write journal articles, and present at scientific meetings.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Ph.D. by the time of appointment in a field relevant to Earth and Space exploration, including (but not limited to) astrophysics, physics, chemistry, geology, planetary science, biology, and engineering.
- Candidates must be within four years from receipt of doctoral degree.
Desired Qualifications:
- Record of prior achievement and experience demonstrating the potential to accomplish proposed research objectives.
- Demonstrated interest in conducting research with relevance, interdisciplinary merit, and/or the potential to impact the overarching "big picture" research questions within the field, aligning with the mission of SESE.
- Evidence of strong verbal and written communication skills.
- Demonstrated commitment to working with faculty, staff, students, and communities, to advance the principles of the ASU Charter.
Application Instructions
To apply, please submit to https://apply.interfolio.com/179574 to include the following:
- A cover letter identifying the proposed research topic and the names of the two faculty mentors
- A current curriculum vitae
- A research proposal that demonstrates relevance, interdisciplinary merit, and/or potential impact of the proposed research activities to the overarching “big picture” research questions in the field and to the mission of SESE. No longer than five pages (including figures and references)
- One paper exemplifying the applicant’s research
- Contact information for three references
Deadline for initial review of complete applications will be February 7, 2026. Letters of reference will be requested as needed after that date. Applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis for a reserve pool. Applications in the reserve pool may then be reviewed in the order in which they were received until the position is closed.
Postdoctoral benefits can be found at: https://cfo.asu.edu/new-employee-orientation
More information about the Exploration Fellowship can be found at:
http://sese.asu.edu/exploration-fellowship
More information about the department can be found here: https://sese.asu.edu/
About Arizona State University
ASU exemplifies a new prototype for the American public research university. As articulated in the ASU Charter, ASU is a comprehensive public research university, measured not by whom it excludes, but by whom it includes and how they succeed; advancing research and discovery of public value; and assuming fundamental responsibility for the economic, social, cultural and overall health of the communities it serves.
Postdoctoral benefits can be found at: https://cfo.asu.edu/new-employee-orientation
More information about the Exploration Fellowship can be found at: http://sese.asu.edu/exploration-fellowship
More information about our school can be found here: https://sese.asu.edu/
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
A background check is required for employment. Arizona State University is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law.
See https://www.asu.edu/aad/manuals/acd/acd401.html and https://www.asu.edu/titleIX/.
In compliance with federal law, ASU prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and resources. ASU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://www.asu.edu/police/PDFs/ASU-Clery-Report.pdf You may request a hard copy of the report by contacting the ASU Police Department at 480-965-3456.
The Beus Prize Fellowship for postdoctoral scholars seeks to foster and support an inclusive community of early-career scientists who will lead the next great discoveries to better understand our place in the universe. The Fellowship is offered annually to early-career researchers within four years of earning their Ph.D. It is up to three years in duration and comes with a competitive salary, discretionary research budget, and allocation for moving expenses. Applications are solicited between September and November each year. The Fellowship is open to observational and theoretical astrophysicists, discipline-based educational researchers, instrument builders, and engineers whose research aims to advance our knowledge of the formation and evolution of stars and galaxies, develop new instruments and techniques to study the cosmos, and/or enhance the societal impacts of this research.
Visit the Beus Prize Fellowship webpage for full details and application instructions.
Multiple Postdoctoral Positions at the Intersection of Fundamental Physics, Chemistry, Biology and Computer Science at Arizona State University
The Beyond Center for Fundamental Concepts in Science at Arizona State University is seeking postdoctoral candidates to join Professor Sara Walker's interdisciplinary ELife lab. The Beyond Center at ASU fosters collaborative and innovative thinking on some of the biggest questions in science and the Walker lab team conducts theoretical research aiming to uncover fundamental principles that explain life, ranging from current biological and technological examples to synthetic life and the potentialities for alien life on other planets. The research seeks to answer the question "What is Life?" by identifying universal laws that describe living systems and in turn using these to inspire new insights into life’s origins and how we might recognize life. We anticipate hiring multiple postdocs with expertise/interests including, but not exclusive to, the following areas: cheminformatics, bioinformatics, geochemistry, planetary science, alien life detection, artificial life, artificial intelligence, planetary futures, theoretical physics, mathematics, data science, software development, and computer science. Postdoctoral fellows will be supervised by Professor Sara Walker, engaging primarily in theoretical and computational work with connections to experiments and practical applications.
Details:
Initial one-year appointment with expected annual renewal for up to two years based on performance.
Funding for the position is available immediately but the start date is flexible.
Competitive salary based on candidate’s experience.
Specific areas of research are open, and subject to agreement between the candidate and the PI, but these must align with the vision and goals of the lab.
Minimum Qualifications:
Highly motivated and creative candidates holding a PhD in a field relevant to an area of research in the Walker lab are encouraged to apply, relevant areas include, but not limited to: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Computer Science, Mathematics, or Planetary Science.
Evidence of strong communication skills and the ability to disseminate scholarly findings in peer reviewed publications.
Candidates should have strong computational skills and/or strong foundations in mathematics or data science.
Candidates must have demonstrated interest to conduct and publish research at the edge of disciplinary boundaries and a willingness to work in a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary research team.
Desired Qualifications:
Strong computational skills and/or strong foundations in mathematics or data science.
Demonstrated ability to conduct research at the edge of disciplinary boundaries and a willingness to work on in a highly collaborative, interdisciplinary research team.
Interested Applicants should send a curriculum vitae; a letter of interest including a statement of research interests that fit within the vision of the Walker lab; and contact information for two
references including email addresses. Application materials should be sent to [email protected] with subject line: “Walker lab postdoctoral fellowship applicant”. Applications will continue to be accepted on a rolling basis for a reserve pool. Applications in the reserve pool may then be reviewed in the order in which they were received until the position is filled.
Inquiries ONLY should be emailed directly to Professor Sara Walker ([email protected]).
A background check is required for employment.
Arizona State University is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor and an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by law. ASU conducts pre-employment screening which may include verification of work history, academic credentials, licenses, and certifications.
“In compliance with federal law, ASU prepares an annual report on campus security and fire safety programs and resources. ASU’s Annual Security and Fire Safety Report is available online at https://www.asu.edu/police/PDFs/ASU-Clery-Report.pdf. You may request a hard copy of the report by contacting the ASU Police Department at 480-965-3456.”
Many of our faculty offer research opportunities for graduate student research (MS, PhD); below are just a few specific opportunities. We encourage you to visit our Research Facilities page and contact individual faculty members for opportunities.
Astrobiology
The ASU Astrobiology Team invites exceptional students to join us in the search for habitable environments and life beyond Earth. Our research program, centered on the theme "Follow the Elements", aims to develop strategies that will be used in future exploration of our Solar System and of planets orbiting other stars in our galaxy. This program integrates multiple disciplines, degree programs and academic units at ASU and offers opportunities for direct student involvement with NASA missions. Please visit the ASU Astrobiology webpage to learn more.
NASA Space Grant
The ASU/NASA Space Grant Program awards at least 1.5 graduate fellowships for an academic year or three fellowships for a semester (fall or spring) for a proposed public outreach or informal education project focused on promoting science literacy, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) disciplines. This can be accomplished through educational outreach, knowledge transfer, technology transfer, science for society, and/or the promotion of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Successful candidates will identify an "educational outreach advisor" from the organization or institution (i.e., a school, museum, park/forest, or an existing educational program) they have proposed to work with. It is recommended but not a requirement that the project benefit those traditionally underrepresented. The formal or informal education proposal can be closely related with area of research, but research is not the primary focus of the fellowship. Since fellowships are very limited, projects are usually awarded for one semester. However, applications should include plans for how the project could be sustained past the time of the award.
Graduate Fellowship applications are available each spring for the following academic year with a mid-April due date. Fellowships include a stipend of $9,100 per semester for a Master’s student or $9,600 for a PhD student, tuition (both in- and out-of-state), and health insurance. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and full-time students at ASU. For more information, please refer to https://nasa.asu.edu/content/graduate-information. You can also be notified when applications are available by signing up for email notification at https://nasa.asu.edu/application-notification-list.
Paid Summer Research Programs
Most programs offer both a stipend and housing and travel support. Programs range across all STEM disciplines and all areas of the country. 70+ programs for graduate students through www.pathwaystoscience.org.
School of Earth and Space Exploration offers undergraduate students opportunities to participate in various research projects under the guidance of faculty and researchers. Some current opportunities are listed below.
NASA Space Grant
The ASU/NASA Space Grant Program awards approximately 20-30 undergraduate students from science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields for the academic year. Awardees are paid stipends with a value of $1,600 per semester. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and full-time students at ASU, sophomore or higher. Undergraduate Fellows work on a research project alongside upper-level graduate students, diverse faculty members, as well as scientists and engineers. Space Grant supports undergraduates by giving them opportunities to earn money while gaining valuable experience participating in research projects and educational outreach activities. Applications from women and underrepresented groups are also encouraged.
In addition their project, Space Grant undergraduate awardees are required to:
- Complete 20 hours of (unpaid) Informal Education
- Participate in the annual ASU/NASA Space Grant poster session
- Present at the Arizona Space Grant Consortium Undergraduate Research Symposium
Undergraduate Fellowship applications are available each spring for the following academic year with a mid-May due date. Students are highly encouraged to have a faculty mentor selected prior to submitting an application. For those students without a faculty mentor, we have suggestions about how to find one on our Space Grant site. Please refer to https://nasa.asu.edu/content/undergraduate-information for more information. If you would like to be notified when the next round of applications opens, sign up here: https://nasa.asu.edu/application-notification-list.
Hydrologic Science and Engineering
Our research group is seeking undergraduates to assist in the development and execution of several research projects in hydrologic science and engineering. Funding for these positions comes from the Army Research Office, the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, the National Science Foundation and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. For inquiries, contact Prof. Enrique R. Vivoni at [email protected].
Submit a research opportunity
If you have a research project in which undergraduates can participate, please click the button below. Please provide a brief description of the project as well as a name and contact information for interested students.
Submit a research opportunity
Undergraduate Student Perspective
Leon Manfredi
Research summary and role: The Circum-Hellas Volcanic Province (CHVP) on Mars is thought to be the oldest example of point source volcanism on the planet. Using daytime-infrared images acquired by the THEMIS camera onboard the Mars Odyssey spacecraft, mosaics were constructed of several regions surrounding the CHVP that appear to be volcanic in origin. Crater counts were then performed on these surfaces to determine if they are temporally related to known volcanism in the CHVP. Cratering model formation ages for these surfaces, 3.4-3.8 Ga, are similar to those of the volcanoes within the CHVP, 3.6-3.8 Ga. This research is significant because determining the age and extent of the CHVP may provide clues as to when and why there was a transition from fissure eruptions to point source volcanism.
Paid Summer Research Programs
Most programs offer both a stipend and housing and travel support. Programs range across all STEM disciplines and all areas of the country. 600+ programs for undergraduate students through www.pathwaystoscience.org.