Teaching Assistant Professor, Mining Engineering

Engineering a world of possibilities

The Mining Engineering Department at Colorado School of Mines invites applications for a teaching assistant professor to support the delivery of our ABET-accredited BS degree program in Mining Engineering. The Department encourages innovation in teaching and learning and has developed effective methods of instruction at introductory through advanced levels. The successful candidate will join the departmental faculty, which currently consists of 13 full-time members. The teaching assistant professor will support the delivery of courses in our core curriculum at the undergraduate level. The anticipated start date for this position is August 2026.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver courses and associated labs as applicable (up to 12 credit-hours per semester) in the undergraduate mining engineering program using evidence-based instructional practices and continuous course improvement. Courses may include, but are not limited to, rock mechanics, surface and underground mine design, and mineral processing. 
• Lead course and curriculum development in support of departmental undergraduate priorities (e.g., updating course materials, aligning learning outcomes, developing new instructional labs/assignments, supporting program assessment/accreditation activities).
• Mentor and support students through undergraduate advising, and train, mentor, and supervise teaching assistants. 
• Contribute to department, university, and professional communities through active service consistent with a teaching-focused appointment. 
• Develop and teach graduate courses in an area of specialization as needed and in alignment with departmental needs/priorities.
• Participate in assessment, accreditation (including ABET-related activities), and program evaluation processes.
• Engage with industry partners and stakeholders where relevant to teaching and program objectives.

Minimum Qualifications

• PhD in mining engineering or a closely related field.
• Demonstrated experience teaching undergraduate or professional courses in mining engineering or closely related disciplines.
• Evidence of ability to contribute effectively to undergraduate teaching and curriculum development and assessment in mining engineering.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with faculty, staff, and students in a department setting.
• Demonstrated ability to support and mentor students in an academic setting.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience teaching undergraduate-, graduate-, and professional-level courses.
• Experience supervising or mentoring teaching assistants
• Experience with curriculum coordination, accreditation processes, or program assessment.
• Relevant industry, applied, or practical experience in mining or related engineering disciplines is desirable.

Department Description 

Colorado School of Mines has been ranked the #1 Mineral and Mining Engineering Program in the world by QS World University Rankings (2016-2025). The Mining Engineering Department faculty span mining, mineral processing, metallurgical and civil engineering, geology, and anthropology disciplines.  Current faculty include 10 tenured/tenure track faculty spanning 1 Teaching Assistant Professor, 2 Professors of Practice, research faculty, research associates, technical staff, 180-190 undergraduates, and 70-80 graduate students. The Department offers an ABET-accredited BS in Mining Engineering; MS and PhD degrees in Mining Engineering, Earth Resources Science and Engineering, and Underground Construction and Tunnel Engineering; and an online Professional Master’s degree in Mining Engineering and Management. The Department manages the Edgar Facility in Idaho Springs which is home for the Edgar Experimental Mine and the Explosives Research Laboratory, the Earth Mechanics Institute in Golden, and the Energy, Mining and Construction Industry Safety (EMCIS) training and outreach program also in Golden. Other department resources include state-of-the-art laboratories for mineral processing and extractive metallurgy, equipment for field studies and summer field camp, the Mintec Computer Laboratory for modeling, and a new laboratory for virtual reality and visualization.  For more information about the Department of Mining Engineering, visit https://mining.mines.edu/. 

Annual Rate

$85,000 - $96,000

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. 

Total Rewards

The 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 

Priority review will begin on March 24, 2026 and will continue until the position is filled. For full consideration, please apply by March 23, 2026. Applicants will be asked to complete an online application (personal information, demographic information, references, veterans 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:  

• curriculum vitae (CV), 
• cover letter expressing interest in the position, and   
• statement of teaching that describes your approach to teaching and mentoring (up to 3 pages)

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. 

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