Post-Doctoral Fellow - Metallurgical and Materials Engineering

Colorado School of Mines; Colorado; On-site; USD 63,000 - 77,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health & dental

Paid holidays

Retirement plan

Tuition benefits

Transit pass

On-campus daycare

Job summary

The Colorado School of Mines invites applications for a post-doctoral researcher in the Met. & Materials Engineering group led by Prof. Vladan Stevanović.

The successful candidate will perform independent research in first-principles electronic structure methods and interact with students and colleagues on campus in Golden, Colorado. Ph.D. in physics, chemistry, or materials science is required, with experience in DFT and related techniques.

Qualifications

• Ph.D. in physics, chemistry, materials science or related field with focus on first-principles electronic structure methods.
• Experience with density functional theory and related methods.
• Programming skills (FORTRAN, Python) are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Engage in research activities of Stevanović group.
• Conduct one or two research projects with high independence under supervision.
• Perform first principles calculations as required by the project(s).
• Disseminate results at meetings, in papers and at conferences.
• Help advise graduate students.

Skills

FORTRAN

Python

Education

Ph.D. in physics, chemistry or materials science

Job description

Engineering a world of possibilities The Colorado School of Mines Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering invites applications for a post-doctoral researcher in the group of Prof. Vladan Stevanović.

The successful candidate’s responsibilities will consist of individual research, interacting with (and sometimes mentoring) undergraduate and graduate student researchers, potentially some classroom involvement, professional activities and other special opportunities and assignments.

We seek an outstanding individual holding a Ph.D. in physics, chemistry, materials science or related field, with a focus on development and application of the first-principles, electronic structure methods.

The candidate should have demonstrated experience in (but not limited to) the computational techniques involving implementations of the density functional theory and related methods.

Programing skills (FORTRAN, Python) are a plus.

All candidates applying for this position should be motivated to work in an interdisciplinary framework and to interact closely with other team members at Mines and partner institutions.

The candidate is expected to work independently, demonstrating initiative, strong organizational and written/verbal communication skills, and respect for project deadlines.

The successful candidate will be offered a 12 month full-time position, with the expectation that the appointment will be renewed and the candidate will accomplish a substantial block of publishable research.

It is expected that the candidate will have opportunities to interact with researchers from the industrial and federal laboratory communities, and to develop their skills and reputation to advance their career opportunities.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Engage in research activities of Stevanović group
• Conduct one or two research projects working with a high level of independence under the supervision of Prof. Stevanović
• Perform first principles calculations in line with the project(s) requirements
• Disseminate results at project meetings and through papers and presentations at conferences
• Help advise graduate students

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES

• Performs other duties as assigned

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Ph.D. in physics, chemistry, materials science or related field, with demonstrated background and experience in electronic structure methods such as density functional theory and related methods

START date and end date: 10/01/2026 – 09/30/2027

TOTAL REWARDS Salary Rate: $70,000 annually Mines takes into consideration a combination of candidate’s education, training and experience as well as the position’s scope and complexity, the discretion and latitude required in the role, work location, and external market and internal value when determining a salary level for potential new employees.

Benefits

• Flexible health and dental care options
• Generous sick/vacation time: 13 paid holidays per year – including a week-long winter break for the entire campus.
• Fully vested retirement plan on first day of employment, with generous employer contribution
• Tuition benefits (6 credits per year for employees, 50 percent discount for dependents)
• Free RTD Ecopass for regional bus and lightrail
• 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 an on-campus daycare center.

For more details about benefits at Mines, visit mines.edu/human-resources/benefits.

About Mines & Golden, CO

When the world looks for answers, the world looks to Mines. Colorado School of Mines is a top-ranked public university solving the grand challenges facing our society, particularly those related to the Earth, energy and the environment. Founded in 1874 with specialties in mining and metallurgy, Mines’ scope and mission have continually expanded to meet the needs of industry and society. Today, we are the No. 36 public university in the nation, recognized for our innovation and undergraduate teaching in science, technology engineering and math (U.S. News and World Report, 2025). Mines graduates are change makers, boundary breakers and problem solvers. Since our earliest days, a Mines education has been and continues to be a transformational opportunity, with one of the strongest returns on investment out there for talented STEM students of all backgrounds. At the same time, Mines faculty members are pushing their fields in new directions, whether that’s manufacturing, space resources, quantum engineering, carbon capture or more. Mines was recently classified as a R1 “Very High Activity” research institution by Carnegie, a notable feat for any university but particularly one of our size. That size – roughly 8,200 undergraduate and graduate students – also translates to a close-knit campus community, where employees have opportunities to get involved in multiple ways, continued professional learning is valued and everyone can make an impact. Community Alliance groups bring together employees for professional development, networking, and community involvement, and all Mines employees also have access to the wealth of activities happening every day on campus – nationally-renowned speakers, special events and Mines traditions like Engineering Days, just to name a few. And don’t get us started on our hometown. We are located in the heart of Golden, Colorado --with its charming historic downtown and nearby hiking trails – and in close proximity to all that Denver and the Rocky Mountains have to offer. That includes the sunny, high-altitude climate and outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities that make the Denver area an ideal place to live, work and play.

Are you looking for an inspiring, mission-driven workplace where you can contribute to solving the world’s problems and educating the next generation of change makers? Are you an individual who values a community where our individual perspectives and experiences enrich the educational and work experience? Look to Mines.

WHY CHOOSE MINES?

Mines is consistently ranked among the top engineering colleges in the United States and ranks number one as the best public school in the state for best value colleges. Mines is located in the heart of Golden, Colorado, a western suburb of Denver. The campus location offers a small-town ambiance with close proximity to all that the Denver metropolitan area has to offer with an abundance of cultural events, museums, theaters and sporting venues. An arid climate and an average 300 days of sunshine per year make the area an ideal place to live, work and play. We seek individuals who value a diverse and inclusive community – offering different perspectives, experiences, and cultures that enrich the educational and work experience. Come explore the possibilities!

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 [e-mail] 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.