Researcher VII
Apply NowCompany: Akima
Location: Reston, VA 20191
Description:
The National Minerals Information Center (NMIC) of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) prepares reports on the mineral industries of more than 90 mineral commodities and more than 180 countries, as part of its minerals information activities. To prepare the reports, USGS specialists collect and analyze exploration, production, and trade data for metals, industrial minerals, and mineral materials. The reports provide valuable information to assist in the analysis of the availability and trade of mineral commodities for the U.S. and global economies and are also useful for the estimation of future production for different commodities from individual countries, regions, and global markets.
An important component to understanding supply disruption risks for mineral commodity supply chains is to understand how disruptions to individual facilities can impact the global supply of a non-fuel mineral commodity. Many supply disruptions have occurred over the past few years, stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic, labor strikes and natural disasters. Having the tools to identify and understand supply disruptions as they are happening provides guidance to policy-makers who are tracking the supply of these non-fuel mineral commodities.
The National Minerals Information Center (NMIC) requires the support of a Researcher with expert knowledge of remote sensing and geospatial mapping for mining and refining facilities.
The objectives of this work are primarily to develop a methodology for evaluating production by facility for non-fuel mineral commodities and applying that methodology for either mines or facilities in the United States and the world by region.
Because of dissimilarities between major metals (e.g., copper and aluminum) and minor metals (e.g., tellurium and gallium), and between mines and refining facilities, different approaches may be necessary for different commodities. The methodology that is developed may require use of GIS and satellite imagery. Datasets of mine and mineral commodity refining facilities may need to be expanded in order to be used for this analysis.
Responsibilities
The work will include four main activities and will have the potential for additional tasks, time and experience permitting:
Qualifications
Job ID
2025-16630
Work Type
On-Site
Company Description
Work Where it Matters
Akima Systems Engineering (ASE), an Akima company, is not just another federal systems support contractor. As an Alaska Native Corporation (ANC), our mission and purpose extend beyond our exciting federal projects as we support our shareholder communities in Alaska.
At ASE, the work you do every day makes a difference in the lives of our 15,000 Iupiat shareholders, a group of Alaska natives from one of the most remote and harshest environments in the United States.
For our shareholders, ASE provides support and employment opportunities and contributes to the survival of a culture that has thrived above the Arctic Circle for more than 10,000 years.
For our government customers, ASE delivers solutions in maritime IT, systems engineering, and integration across the Department of Defense and stands ready to help improve operational performance at a reasonable and sustainable cost.
As an ASE employee, you will be surrounded by a challenging, yet supportive work environment that is committed to innovation and diversity, two of our most important values. You will also have access to our comprehensive benefits and competitive pay in addition to growth opportunities and excellent retirement options.
An important component to understanding supply disruption risks for mineral commodity supply chains is to understand how disruptions to individual facilities can impact the global supply of a non-fuel mineral commodity. Many supply disruptions have occurred over the past few years, stemming from the Covid-19 pandemic, labor strikes and natural disasters. Having the tools to identify and understand supply disruptions as they are happening provides guidance to policy-makers who are tracking the supply of these non-fuel mineral commodities.
The National Minerals Information Center (NMIC) requires the support of a Researcher with expert knowledge of remote sensing and geospatial mapping for mining and refining facilities.
The objectives of this work are primarily to develop a methodology for evaluating production by facility for non-fuel mineral commodities and applying that methodology for either mines or facilities in the United States and the world by region.
Because of dissimilarities between major metals (e.g., copper and aluminum) and minor metals (e.g., tellurium and gallium), and between mines and refining facilities, different approaches may be necessary for different commodities. The methodology that is developed may require use of GIS and satellite imagery. Datasets of mine and mineral commodity refining facilities may need to be expanded in order to be used for this analysis.
Responsibilities
The work will include four main activities and will have the potential for additional tasks, time and experience permitting:
- Develop and document a methodology for evaluating production at a facility-level using historical data, geospatial data and remote sensing satellite imagery.
- Gathering of the necessary data, information, and assumptions necessary to apply the model for a subset of commodities.
- Application of said methodology to assess historical production for a set of commodities for a type of facility/mine site.
- Development of a written manuscript for submission to a scientific journal or for publication as a USGS report. The manuscript shall describe the purpose, methodology, and results of the work and provide a complete tabulation of all data used, references, and assumptions made in the analysis.
- Present the results and methodology of the research to others at conferences, workshops and meetings as suitable. Presentations are for getting feedback and for sharing research results with other experts in the field. This task may require travel depending on the location of the conference/workshop/meeting.
Qualifications
- Doctorate degree (PhD degree required) in industrial ecology, engineering, mineral economics, geosciences, or a related field.
- Minimum seven years extensive PhD-level work experience with satellite imagery and geospatial software and performing research with highly fragmented and incomplete datasets of non-fuel mineral commodities
- Minimum seven years extensive PhD-level work experience with scientific and technical analysis, writing, publishing, and presentation.
Job ID
2025-16630
Work Type
On-Site
Company Description
Work Where it Matters
Akima Systems Engineering (ASE), an Akima company, is not just another federal systems support contractor. As an Alaska Native Corporation (ANC), our mission and purpose extend beyond our exciting federal projects as we support our shareholder communities in Alaska.
At ASE, the work you do every day makes a difference in the lives of our 15,000 Iupiat shareholders, a group of Alaska natives from one of the most remote and harshest environments in the United States.
For our shareholders, ASE provides support and employment opportunities and contributes to the survival of a culture that has thrived above the Arctic Circle for more than 10,000 years.
For our government customers, ASE delivers solutions in maritime IT, systems engineering, and integration across the Department of Defense and stands ready to help improve operational performance at a reasonable and sustainable cost.
As an ASE employee, you will be surrounded by a challenging, yet supportive work environment that is committed to innovation and diversity, two of our most important values. You will also have access to our comprehensive benefits and competitive pay in addition to growth opportunities and excellent retirement options.