Mendenhall Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program

USGS Mendenhall Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program

[Last revised Thursday, 16-Apr-2009 08:26:57 EDT ]

CURRENT STATUS AS OF NOVEMBER 18, 2008
We are no longer accepting applications for FY-10.
We will begin accepting applications for FY-11 in July 2009.

General Schedule for the Mendenhall Program (dates are approximate)

March-June Research Opportunities identified through internal USGS competition

July-August Research Opportunities posted on the web, ads begin to appear in professional journals, recruitment begins

November-January Application closing date

December–February Application evaluation

February–March Selection of Mendenhall Fellows and Notification

A downloadable graphic describing the Program is available here for use in presentations:: PowerPoint slide [264 KB] | PDF file [608 KB]

THE BASICS When Postdoctoral Fellowships Begin - Qualifications - When and How To Apply - Special Requirements - What Happens Next

RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES Summary of Opportunities and List of Research Advisors/Role for FY 2010

ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

PROJECT PROFILES
Summary of research conducted under the Mendenhall Program

In Fiscal Year 2001 (October 1, 2000-September 30, 2001), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) started a new postdoctoral research program called the Mendenhall Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program in honor of Walter C. Mendenhall (1871-1957), the fifth Director of the USGS. President Hoover appointed Mendenhall as the Director in 1930 when the USGS's budget was $2.87 million. Today the total USGS budget is over $1 billion.

Mendenhall joined the USGS in 1894 upon graduation from Ohio Normal University. He mapped Appalachian coal fields, did pioneering work on the geology of Alaska, and was one of the first ground water specialists in the Water Resources Branch in 1903. His study of the principles of ground water hydrology helped to establish it as a field of scientific endeavor. Mendenhall was also the Chief Geologist for 8 years prior to his appointment as the Director.

Mendenhall's directorate was pivotal in the history of the U.S. Geological Survey. In spite of the difficult times during the Depression and the beginning of World War II, he encouraged the USGS, as he had the Geologic Branch, to emphasize the necessity of basic research and created an environment in which, in the words of the Engineering and Mining Journal, "scientific research, technical integrity, and practical skill could flourish."

PROGRAM CONTACTS
Dr. Rama K. Kotra
Office of the Associate Director for Geology
703-648-6271 - rkotra@usgs.gov

Ms. Kimberly B. Reed
Office of Human Resources
703-648-7436 - kbreed@usgs.gov

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U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://geology.usgs.gov/postdoc/index.html
Direct inquiries to Rama K. Kotra at rkotra@usgs.gov
Page Contact Information: Mendenhall Postdoctoral Fellowship Program Web Team
Last modified: 08:26:57 Thu 16 Apr 2009


General Schedule for the Mendenhall Program (dates are approximate)
March-June	Research Opportunities identified through internal USGS competition
July-August	Research Opportunities posted on the web, ads begin to appear in professional journals, recruitment begins
November-January	Application closing date
December–February	Application evaluation
February–March	Selection of Mendenhall Fellows and Notification

A downloadable graphic describing the Program is available here for use in presentations:: PowerPoint slide [264 KB] \| PDF file [608 KB]


THE BASICS	When Postdoctoral Fellowships Begin - Qualifications - When and How To Apply - Special Requirements - What Happens Next

RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES	Summary of Opportunities and List of Research Advisors/Role for FY 2010

ADDITIONAL EMPLOYMENT INFORMATION

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

PROJECT PROFILES Summary of research conducted under the Mendenhall Program

In Fiscal Year 2001 (October 1, 2000-September 30, 2001), the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) started a new postdoctoral research program called the Mendenhall Postdoctoral Research Fellowship Program in honor of Walter C. Mendenhall (1871-1957), the fifth Director of the USGS. President Hoover appointed Mendenhall as the Director in 1930 when the USGS's budget was $2.87 million. Today the total USGS budget is over $1 billion. Mendenhall joined the USGS in 1894 upon graduation from Ohio Normal University. He mapped Appalachian coal fields, did pioneering work on the geology of Alaska, and was one of the first ground water specialists in the Water Resources Branch in 1903. His study of the principles of ground water hydrology helped to establish it as a field of scientific endeavor. Mendenhall was also the Chief Geologist for 8 years prior to his appointment as the Director. Mendenhall's directorate was pivotal in the history of the U.S. Geological Survey. In spite of the difficult times during the Depression and the beginning of World War II, he encouraged the USGS, as he had the Geologic Branch, to emphasize the necessity of basic research and created an environment in which, in the words of the Engineering and Mining Journal, "scientific research, technical integrity, and practical skill could flourish." PROGRAM CONTACTS Dr. Rama K. Kotra Office of the Associate Director for Geology 703-648-6271 - rkotra@usgs.gov Ms. Kimberly B. Reed Office of Human Resources 703-648-7436 - kbreed@usgs.gov