Post-Doctoral Fellow, Physics At Mines And The National Laboratory Of The Rockies

Engineering a world of possibilities

Post-Doctoral Fellow, Physics at Mines with The National Laboratory of the Rockies

THE OPPORTUNITY

We welcome applications for the position of postdoctoral researcher to work with Dr. Jeramy D. Zimmerman at Colorado School of Mines in collaboration with Dr. Bryon Larson at the National Laboratory of the Rockies, focusing on developing and evaluating materials, deposition, and packaging approaches that extend the lifetime of organic solar cells and modules.

The postdoctoral researcher will:

• Develop packaging strategies for OPV cells/modules to improve durability and operational lifetime

• Design and execute accelerated stress/reliability tests and interpret degradation behavior

• Perform post-mortem/root-cause failure analysis to identify mechanisms of performance loss

• Use analytical chemistry and materials characterization tools (e.g., HPLC, NMR, SEM, XPS, XRD) to diagnose materials/interfaces

• Conduct PV device/module measurements such as EQE and current-voltage (IV) testing

• Fabricate OPV devices with scalable coating methods beyond spin coating (blade, bar, gravure, slot-die) and support scale-up efforts

• Collaborate across disciplines; learn new technical areas as needed to support project goals

• Communicate findings to internal stakeholders and externally via peer-reviewed papers and conference presentations

• Follow strong EHS practices (safe procedures, waste handling, organized lab), potentially serving as a Designated Area Representative

Minimum Qualifications:

• PhD in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, or related field.

• Experienced in fabricating and testing organic photovoltaics

• Strong oral and written communication and interpersonal skills for collaborative work.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with fabricating and testing mini-modules or modules made from organic semiconductors.

• Experience with large area device fabrication

• Experience with encapsulation of organic photovoltaics

• Experience with both solution (e.g. bad casting) and vapor phase deposition processes

• Prior experience with accelerated stress/reliability tests

• Experience with post-mortem/root-cause failure analysis

• Knowledge of appropriate analytical chemistry and materials characterization tools

TOTAL REWARDS

$65,000 - $73,000 annual salary rate

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.

Colorado School of Mines offers a robust portfolio of benefits for all employees. For this role, that includes:

• Flexible health and dental care options (receive at a minimum with EE only coverage, $10,308 in medical benefits until July 1, 2026)

• 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 (you will receive 12% from Mines in a MDCP averaging $8,640 a year)

• Tuition benefits (6 credits per year for employees, 50 percent discount for dependents)

• Free RTD Ecopass for regional bus and light rail transportation

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 recently opened an on campus daycare center. For more details about benefits at Mines, visit mines.edu/human-resources/benefits.

HOW TO APPLY

Review of applications will be ongoing and continue until filled. Applicants must complete an online application (personal information, demographic information, veteran status) and upload the following:

• CV including publication list

• Letter of interest with description of qualifications

• Contact information for three references

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. Contact Kathleen Feighny in HR with any questions at kfeighny@mines.edu. This posting may be used to fill multiple openings.

ABOUT MINES AND 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 7,000 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, cultural awareness 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

Colorado's premier engineering and applied science university for 150 years and counting