Post-Doctoral Fellow, CEE Dept

Engineering a world of possibilities

The Civil and Environmental Engineering department at Colorado School of Mines is hiring for a Post-Doctoral Fellow to conduct laboratory and field studies aimed at production of construction materials from mine tailings.

Our research team has conducted chemical, physical, mineralogical, and geotechnical characterization of tailings and the applicant will explore new technological solutions targeted to produce lightweight aggregates, geopolymer concrete and cementitious materials from mine tailings. The applicant will assist with the preparation of project reports, scholarly manuscripts, and research proposals. The project will involve close collaboration with Peruvian research partners and the applicant will need to travel to Peru and work on site to accomplish some of the project objectives.

Job Summary

The applicant’s job duties include the following: Conducting laboratory and field studies aimed at production of construction materials from mine tailings. Our research team has conducted chemical, physical, mineralogical, and geotechnical characterization of tailings and the applicant will explore new technological solutions targeted to produce lightweight aggregates, geopolymer concrete and cementitious materials from mine tailings. The applicant will assist with the preparation of project reports, scholarly manuscripts, and research proposals. The project will involve close collaboration with Peruvian research partners and the applicant will need to travel to Peru and work on site to accomplish some of the project objectives.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Conducting laboratory and field studies aimed at production of construction materials from mine tailings
• Prepare research manuscripts and technical reports
• Assist with mentoring of graduate and undergraduate students and training of research collaborators
• Assist with preparing research proposals resulting from the conducted research 

Additional responsibilities

• Performs other duties as assigned

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• A PhD in a related field (civil engineering, materials engineering, geological engineering, mining engineering, chemical engineering, physics, chemistry, or other related fields)
• Strong publication record in high quality peer-reviewed journals, specifically in Geotechnical and Construction Materials fields

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
• Ability to travel to Peru

Preferred Qualifications

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Ability to communicate fluently in Spanish
• Prior research work resulting in publications on the reuse of mine tailings
• Prior experience with one or more of the following: cement testing, materials characterization using equipment such as SEM, XRD, XRF, SEM-EDS, ICP-AES, FTIR, TGA, Micro-CT

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. 38 public university in the nation, recognized for our innovation and undergraduate teaching in science, technology engineering and math (U.S. News and World Report, 2023). 

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. 

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 diverse and inclusive community, where our different perspectives, experiences and cultures enrich the educational and work experience?  

Look to Mines. 

Equal Opportunity 

Mines’ commitment to nondiscrimination, affirmative action, equal opportunity and equal access is reflected in the administration of its policies, procedures, programs and activ