Opportunities
Postdoctoral Researchers
No
postdoctoral positions are currently available. However, Prof. Catalano
is always willing to work on fellowship proposals with prospective
postdoctoral researchers.
Graduate Students
The
Aqueous Geochemistry and Mineralogy group anticipates admitting
new students for the Fall 2025 admission cycle. We welcome applicants
interested in environmental geochemistry and astrobiology/planetary
geochemistry. Potential projects in environmental geochemistry focus on
(1) mineral controls on the fate and bioavailability of trace metals
micronutrients and contaminants, (2) impact of adsorption and
nucleation on critical mineral accumulation and migration, (3) clay
mineral redox cycling and reactivity. Potential projects in
astrobiology/planetary geochemistry focus on (1) trace metal
availability and mineral alteration in icy world oceans, (2) rates of
iron oxidation in cold aqueous brines, (3) terrestrial analogs of
oxidation in analogs of future returned Mars samples. Most projects in
the group focus on experimental aqueous geochemistry and mineralogy in
a laboratory setting coupled with advanced characterization and
analytical techniques.
Prospective
graduate students are
encouraged to contact Prof.
Catalano before applying to learn more about the opportunities available. Please include a brief
description of any prior research activities (note: prior research
experience is not required for admission!) and your current research
and
educational interests. Appropriate undergraduate fields include
Geology/Earth Science, Chemistry, Environmental
Science, Soil Science,
Environmental Engineering, Planetary Science, Physics, or Microbiology; strong
skills in chemistry are beneficial.
Applications to the
graduate program are encouraged (click here for instructions).
The official deadline to apply is December 1 and the department does not
require GRE scores. All students admitted to the Ph.D. program in Earth, Environmental,
and Planetary Sciences are given a full tuition waiver and a guarantee
of five years of financial support. The current annual graduate student
stipend in our department is approximately $36,000.
Undergraduate Students
Undergraduate
students interested in conducting research in the Aqueous
Geochemistry and Mineralogy group should contact Prof. Catalano to discuss their interests and potential opportunities available.