Lab Scientist

CU Boulder; Boulder (CO); On-site; USD 60,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Tuition assistance

Transit ECO Pass

Job summary

CU Boulder in Boulder, Colorado seeks a postdoctoral scientist to advance a Moore Foundation-funded program on the physics of nature-inspired liquid-solid suspensions. The role focuses on rheology and fluid dynamics and is available for a 2-year period.

You will perform experiments, develop a constant-pressure 2D rheometer, and generate results for publication while exploring environmental applications such as mushy layers and ice crystal suspensions. A PhD in a STEM field is required.

Qualifications

• PhD in a STEM field (engineering, physics or applied mathematics).
• Experience in laboratory experiments and data analysis.
• Independent thought and creativity valued; non-linear career paths considered.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research on rheological behaviour of photoelastic suspensions.
• Improve and test a 2D constant-pressure rheometer.
• Create and measure natural liquid-solid suspensions in analogue experiments.

Skills

Experimental methods

Data analysis

Independent thinking

Education

PhD in STEM

Tools

Matlab

Python

Job description

Requisition Number: 74486

Location: Boulder, Colorado

City: Boulder

State: Colorado

Employment Type: Research Faculty

Schedule: Full-Time

Posting Close Date: 30-Sep-2026

Date Posted: 27-Aug-2026

Job Summary

This postdoctoral position is funded through the Moore Foundation to support a research program on the fundamental understanding of the underlying physics in nature-inspired liquid-solid suspensions. We are seeking a scientist with a focus on rheology and fluid dynamics. The position is available as soon as possible for a period of 2 years.

Who We Are

Our lab investigates granular materials and we are using a variety of smart experimental techniques to reveal granular rheology. Our target in this program is to capture stress transformations at the particle-scale, to model rheology accurately and precisely, and to obtain unprecedented insight on the solid-liquid interactions in environmental applications such as mushy layers, ice crystals in cold reservoirs, permafrost or cohesive turbidity currents.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Your key responsibilities will be to participate in novel research in our laboratory, collaborate with other members, generate research results, and publish research papers. Tasks will include:

1. Conducting a thorough investigation of the (shear-thickening, non-Newtonian) rheological behaviour of our photoelastic suspension mixtures,
2. Improving and experimenting with a constant-pressure imposed 2D rheometer to test our particle-fluid mixtures.
3. Creating and measuring a variety of natural occurring liquid-solid suspensions in analogue laboratory experiments.

What We Can Offer

The starting salary for this role will be $60,000 - $70,000 annually.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be excited. Be impactful. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• PhD in a STEM field, for example engineering, physics or applied mathematics.

What You Will Need

• Experience in conducting laboratory experiments and data analysis.
• We greatly value independent thought and creativity. Please don't hesitate to apply if you possess these characteristics but encountered an extended period of leave or a non-linear career path.

What We Would Like You to Have

• Evidence of taking initiative and trying new methods and approaches that have never been tested before.
• Experience with high-speed image acquisition and data analysis with Matlab or Python.