Engineering a world of possibilities

Colorado School of Mines (Mines) invites applications for three faculty positions wihtin the general theme of critical mineral resources. The primary aim of this faculty solicitation is to strengthen the value chain associated with critical minerals including exploration for mineral and metal resources, responsible mining practices, processing, and transformation, uses and application, and the role of markets, economics and policy. Mines’ strategic effort is to grow in areas of significant existing strength and to support research and teaching efforts in the Mines’ Departments of Chemistry, Economics and Business, Geology and Geological Engineering, Geophysics, Metallurgical and Materials Engineering, and Mining Engineering. Successful applicants can be hired into any of these departments or be jointly appointed. Mines is a great place to engage in education and research in each of these areas as they relate to our Earth, Energy, and Environment mission.

Mines anticipates filling three tenure-track Assistant Professor positions across disciplines related to mineral resources needed to support the value chains of critical minerals with a start date in August 2026. Qualified candidates with research specialization in one or more of the following topical areas are encouraged to apply: 

• Economics of and public policy related to mineral, metal, and materials markets to support resilient, adaptable, and environmentally and socially sustainable supply chains of mineral resources and related materials.
• Innovative approaches and technology associated with the exploration, extraction, processing, and recycling of critical mineral and metal resources for responsible and economic production.
• Technologies for advancing the recovery and processing of critical mineral and metal resources from mining, industrial, materials manufacturing, and non-traditional waste streams.

For further information about the positions or the university vision, please contact the search chair, Dr. Ian Lange, at ilange@mines.edu.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver course materials to undergraduate and graduate students in traditional, hybrid, and online pedagogies demonstrating teaching excellence. 
• Supervise and mentor undergraduate and graduate students.
• Establish and/or maintain a quality publication record.
• Develop a strong active externally funded research program that leads to scholarly publications.
• Contribute both institutionally and professionally through active service.
• Cultivate and promote a welcoming Mines community through recruiting, mentorship, and service.
• Collaborate, and eventually lead, across campus and contribute to service in areas that represent institutional priorities.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in a closely related discipline from an accredited program by the time the appointment begins. Assistant Professor candidates must possess 0-3 years of experience in academic, research lab, and/or industry experience and accomplishments in a related field.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively apply research skills in Mines’ research focus areas.

Preferred Qualifications

• General pedagogical knowledge (how to teach); pedagogical content knowledge (how to teach a specific discipline); and ability to use instructional technology for effective teaching.
• Commitment to excellence in teaching and curriculum development at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Demonstrated record of research publications in archival journals and conference proceedings.
• Industry experience when applicable.
• Integrity, energy, and a passion for education and research.
• Desire to engage in external outreach activities and professional service.

About Mines & Golden, CO

Colorado School of Mines, Colorado's oldest public university, produces talent, knowledge and solutions that serve industry and benefit society—all to create a more prosperous future. Mines has about 6400 undergraduate students and 1900 graduate students in a broad range of applied science and engineering disciplines. Mines, an R1 institution, maintains high-quality, well-funded research programs (~$106M in awards for fiscal year 2024) with strong participation from both graduate and undergraduate students. The 2026 edition of U.S. News and World Report ranks Mines as a top 100 university. Mines has the highest admissions standards of any public university in Colorado and among the highest of any public university in the U.S.  Located in Golden, Colorado, Mines has close proximity to Denver and Boulder, providing opportunities for significant collaboration with government labs, industry, and other universities. More information can be found at www.mines.edu

Annual Rate

$96,000 to $114,000

Colorado School of Mines offers a robust portfolio of benefits for all employees. For this role, that includes:

• Flexible health and dental care options
• Generous sick/vacation time
• Fully vested retirement plan on first day of employment, with generous employer contribution of 12%
• Tuition benefits (6 credits per year for employees, 50 percent discount for dependents)
• Access to an on-campus daycare center
• Free RTD Ecopass for regional bus and light rail transportation
   

Mines’ leadership and innovation bring proximity and access to several research centers, consortia, agencies, labs, and leading-edge technology. Additionally, All Mines employees also have access to discount programs through the State of Colorado and free tickets for Mines Athletics home games, as well as access to the state of the art Recreation Center (fitness classes and training, swimming pool and more) and equipment rentals through the Outdoor Rec Center. We are proud to have recently opened an on campus daycare center. For more details about benefits at Mines, visit mines.edu/human-resources/benefits.

How to Apply

Priority review will begin on March 2, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled. For full consideration, please apply by March 1, 2026.

Applicants will be asked to complete an online application (personal information, demographic information, references, and veteran status). References will not be contacted until later in the selection process, and you will be informed before that contact is made. Applicants will also be asked to indicate preferred home department and research specialization. Applicants will notice on the application form, there is only one location to upload all required materials. Further, once submitted, the applicant will not be able to edit their application. Applicants may submit their application as one combined document or as separate documents.

The application must include: 

• a curriculum vitae, 
• a statement of research (at most 4 pages), 
• a statement of teaching (at most 2 pages), 
• a cover letter expressing interest in the position at Mines, and 
• one or two representative research papers (published or working paper) (PDFs) that best reflect the applicant’s scholarly contributions. 

Research Statement: Candidates should describe how their research relates to and complements research activities and expertise at Mines, its expected scholarly and societal impact, its relevance to Mines’ goals (e.g., earth, energy, and environment), and current or future connections to industry and/or opportunities for entrepreneurship. The statement should cover both the candidate's history of successful research as well as their plans for future research at Mines, and their plans for obtaining external funding for that future research. Candidates should also be sure to describe any transdisciplinary aspects of their research. (For more information visit https://research.mines.edu). 

Teaching Statement: Mines is committed to high quality, hands-on and project-based learning. Additionally, Mines is growing its online MS non-thesis degree programs. Candidates should cover their in-person and hands-on teaching pedagogy and be prepared to describe any experience they have in online education. 

Please contact Dorie Gelber, Human Resources, at dorie.gelber@mines.edu, with any questions regarding the application process. 

 

Additional Information and Reasonable Accommodation Requests
It is the intent of Mines to comply with the applicable requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act Amendments Act of 2008, and their implementation rules and regulations, in support of equal opportunities for qualified applicants with disabilities. To meet this goal, Mines will make reasonable accommodations during the employment selection process and within our working environment.

If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran, you may request a reasonable accommodation if you are unable or limited in your ability to access job openings or apply for a job on our site as a result of your disability. You can request a reasonable accommodation by contacting our Human Resources team at hr@mines.edu or 303.273.3250 for assistance.

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for this position.

Equal Opportunity

Colorado School of Mines is committed to equal opportunity for all persons. Mines does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), ancestry, creed, marital status, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status or current military service. Further, Mines does not retaliate against community members for filing complaints regarding or implicating any of these protected statuses.

Mines’ commitment to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and equal access is reflected in the administration of its policies, procedures, programs and activities and in its efforts to achieve a talented student body and workforce.

Through its policies, procedures and resources, Mines complies with federal law, Colorado state law, administrative regulations, executive orders and other legal requirements to prevent discrimination (including harassment or retaliation) within the Mines campus community and to address potential allegations of inequality or concerns for safety.

Colorado's premier engineering and applied science university for 150 years and counting