Engineering a world of possibilities
The Colorado School of Mines, a public R1 research university focused on applied science and engineering, is excited to announce a Research Assistant Professor position in Exploration Seismology. The successful candidate will develop and lead an externally funded research program that strengthens and expands Mines’ research in subsurface energy and minerals through field and/or computational approaches.The successful candidate will develop and lead an externally funded research program that strengthens and expands Mines’ research in subsurface energy and minerals through field and/or computational approaches. The successful candidate should be capable of developing research ties across units at Mines, with local U.S. Geological Survey researchers, and with other external partners. Experiences in and successful fund raising from industry and federal funding agency are necessary.
Responsibilities:
Develop and maintain a vigorous, externally funded research program that relates to and advances exploration seismology
Lead research on applied exploration seismology
Lead research on seismological data collection and/or processing
Supervise post-doctoral fellows to carry out research on related projects
Advise graduate students and serve as a committee member on student theses
Write proposals for industrial and government funding
Write peer-reviewed journal papers and present at national and international conferences
Manage interactions with industry sponsors and government funding agencies
Minimum Qualifications:
Ph.D. in geophysics or related field
Demonstrated potential for excellence in exploration seismology research
Research experience related to subsurface energy and minerals
Preferred Qualifications:
Research integrating multiple geophysical methods
Experience mentoring graduate students and/or post-doctoral scholars
History of successful research fundraising through competitive grants and/or industry sponsors
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 community, where our different perspectives, experiences and cultures enrich the educational and work experience?
Look to Mines.
Annual Rate
Research Assistant Professor: $78,000 - $88,000
Mines takes into consideration a combination of the 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 rate for potential new employees.
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: 13 paid holidays per year – including a week-long winter break for 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 transportation throughout the Denver Metro area
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 Recreation Center. We are proud to have recently opened an on-campus daycare center. For more details about benefits at Mines, visit https://mines.edu/human-resources/benefits.
How to Apply
This posting will close on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. Applicants will be asked to complete an online application (personal information, demographic information, references, veteran status) and upload the below documents (required). References will not be collected or contacted until later in the selection process and you will be informed before that contact is made. 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 pgs),
a cover letter expressing interest in the position, and
up to three representative research papers (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, 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 ).
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