Dear Colleagues: We are seeking multiple M.S. and Ph.D. students starting in Fall 2024 on several fully funded research projects related to critical minerals. Students with backgrounds and interests in geology, mineralogy, materials science, optical sciences, chemistry, or geological remote sensing are encouraged to apply. Previous experience in research is beneficial but not required. Students will join a friendly, diverse lab group with access to cutting-edge analytical and experimental facilities, opportunities for geological fieldwork across the US Southwest, and pathways to summer internships with mineral resources companies if desired. Research projects are highly interdisciplinary and involve working with academic and industry scientists and engineers across disciplines in geology, metallurgy, materials science, environmental science, remote sensing, and other fields. Examples include: * Exploring how the chemical, physical, and electromagnetic properties of ore minerals influence metal extraction processes. * Developing improved methods for mineral identification through spaceborne, airborne, lab-, ground-, and UAV-based infrared spectroscopy including applications of advanced ML/AI methods * Integrating field-mappable characteristics of ore deposits with mining and metallurgical processes * Identifying potential critical mineral resources in mine waste and testing recovery methods * Predicting the physical, mechanical, and chemical properties of rocks, minerals, and soils from spectroscopy. Please direct inquiries to Dr. Isabel Barton (fay1@arizona.edu<mailto:fay1@arizona.edu>) and Dr. Dean Riley, Department of Mining & Geological Engineering, University of Arizona (deanriley1@arizona.edu<mailto:deanriley1@arizona.edu>). Isabel Barton Assistant Professor Mining & Geological Engineering University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ