Tenure-Track Faculty, Mining Engineering

Engineering a world of possibilities

The Mining Engineering Department invites applications for a tenure-track faculty position in the broadly defined area of Mining and Earth Systems Engineering, with an anticipated start in Fall 2026. While we expect to hire at the Assistant Professor level, exceptional candidates may also be considered at the Associate Professor level. We seek a creative and ambitions candidate whose work complements and expands our strengths in mining engineering and applied interdisciplinary earth sciences and engineering disciplines. Candidates whose research bridges multiple subfields, connects with industry, or integrates theoretical approaches with practical implementations are especially encouraged to apply.

Areas of interest include: 

• Mine Ventilation; Ventilation network analysis and design of systems
• Surface Mining; Surface mine operations and design of surface mining systems
• Underground Mining; Selection, design and development of underground mining methods
• Rock Mechanics; Physical properties of rock and fundamentals of rock substance and rock mass
• Geostatistical Resources & Reserve Estimation with fundamentals for all subsequent mine planning and valuation work
• Mine Management and Mineral Economics

Responsibilities

• Develop and teach courses that are valuable to undergraduate and graduate students, both within Mining Engineering Department and across Mines. 
• Develop and maintain a vigorous, externally funded research program that relates to and supports the mining industry. 
• Supervise and mentor undergraduate and graduate students in research and coursework, including through the other earth science programs at Mines. 
• Contribute both institutionally and professionally through active service. 

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. from an accredited program in or a closely related field relevant to the search areas by the time the appointment begins. 
• Demonstrated potential for excellence in research, teaching, and student mentorship as well as some prior industry experience. 
• Evidence of interdisciplinary collaboration or engagement with other engineering and earth science disciplines.
• Associate Professor candidates must possess an established, funded, and impactful research program with clear potential for continuance

Preferred Qualifications 

• An ideal candidate would have some industry and management experience to share with our students and future focus on research needs for industry and the profession.

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). Mining Engineering Department faculty span mining, mineral processing, metallurgical and civil engineering, geology, and anthropology disciplines.  The Department currently has 10 tenured/tenure track faculty 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 Development and Engineering, and Underground Construction and Tunnel Engineering; and an online Professional Master’s degree in Mining Engineering and Management. The Department also is the home for the Edgar Experimental Mine and the Explosives Research Laboratory in Idaho Springs, 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

Assistant Professor: $96,000 - $114,000

Associate Professor: $115,000 - $156,000

Compensation and start-up package will be adjusted based on the qualifications of the candidate.

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, 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 pages), 
• a statement of teaching (at most 2 pages), 
• a cover letter expressing interest in the position at Mines, and 
• one or two representative research papers (published or working paper) (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 (e.g., earth, energy, and environment), 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 ). 
 

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, online programs, and professional certificates. Candidates should cover their in-person and hands-on teaching pedagogy and be prepared to describe any experience they have in online education.  

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