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Engineering a world of possibilities

Post-Doctoral Fellow, Mechanical Engineering

The Opportunity

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow position supporting the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) Advanced Computational and Experimental Materials (ACME) Program. The successful candidate will conduct multidisciplinary research investigating the dynamic behavior of advanced structural materials subjected to extreme loading and environmental conditions through the integration of advanced experimentation, computational modeling, constitutive model development, and microstructural characterization.

Research will focus on refractory alloys, titanium alloys, and other advanced structural materials subjected to high strain-rate loading across ambient, elevated-temperature, and cryogenic environments. Experimental efforts include Kolsky (split-Hopkinson) pressure bar testing in compression and tension, Gleeble thermomechanical simulation, advanced microstructural characterization, synchrotron beam experience, and constitutive model calibration (Johnson-Cook, MTS, etc.).

The successful candidate will work closely with faculty investigators, graduate students, collaborating national laboratories, and partner universities while helping lead large multidisciplinary research efforts. Responsibilities include developing new experimental capabilities, mentoring students, preparing research proposals, publishing at least 2 high-impact research in peer-reviewed journals, and supporting sponsored research activities.

Primary Responsibilitites

• Design, execute, and analyze experimental investigations of advanced structural materials under high strain-rate loading.

• Perform and further develop Kolsky pressure bar testing in compression and tension across ambient, elevated-temperature, and cryogenic environments.

• Design and conduct thermomechanical testing using Gleeble physical simulation systems.

• Perform microstructural characterization using optical microscopy, SEM, EBSD, and related characterization techniques.

• Develop, calibrate, and validate constitutive material models, including Johnson-Cook, Mechanical Threshold Stress (MTS), Preston-Tonks-Wallace (PTW), Zerilli-Armstrong, and related strength and failure models.

• Develop finite element simulations supporting interpretation of experimental observations and constitutive model validation.

• Perform fragment recovery, fragment characterization, and post-test forensic analyses following dynamic loading experiments.

• Assist in developing new experimental methods, diagnostics, and laboratory capabilities.

• Mentor graduate and undergraduate researchers.

• Contribute to proposal development, sponsor interactions, technical reports, conference presentations, and peer-reviewed publications.

• Collaborate with national laboratories and external research partners on large multi-institutional research programs.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, Materials Science and Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a closely related engineering discipline.

• Demonstrated experience conducting independent research in experimental mechanics, dynamic material behavior, or high strain-rate mechanics.

• Experience operating high-rate experimental systems.

• Experience with Kolsky (split-Hopkinson) pressure bar testing.

• Familiarity with constitutive modeling of metallic materials.

• Strong scientific writing and communication skills.

• Demonstrated ability to work independently while contributing to multidisciplinary research teams.

• Experience mentoring undergraduate or graduate researchers

Preferred Qualifications

Education and Experience

• Experience with refractory alloys, titanium alloys, or other advanced structural metals.

• Experience supporting large federally funded research programs.

• Experience collaborating with national laboratories.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Experience with elevated-temperature and cryogenic mechanical testing.

• Experience operating Gleeble thermomechanical simulation systems.

• Experience developing and calibrating constitutive models such as Johnson-Cook, Mechanical Threshold Stress (MTS), Preston-Tonks-Wallace (PTW), Zerilli-Armstrong, or related material models.

• Experience working on synchrotron beam systems for material characterization

• Experience with additive manufacturing of metallic materials.

• Experience characterizing ceramic materials or ceramic matrix composites.

• Experience with fragment analysis and post-impact material characterization.

• Experience with optical diagnostics including Digital Image Correlation (DIC), high-speed imaging, infrared thermography, or related techniques.

• Demonstrated experience publishing peer-reviewed journal articles.

• Experience preparing technical proposals and sponsor reports.

• Proficiency using LaTeX for scientific writing.

Total Rewards

Salary Rate: $68,000 annually

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.

Benefits: 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 the 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

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

Applications must complete an online application (personal information, demographic information, veteran status) and:

• Upload a resume or CV (REQUIRED)

• Upload a cover letter (REQUIRED)

This posting may be used to fill more than one vacancy based on business needs. Please note: References will not be contacted until later in the selection process, and you will be informed before that contact is made. Contact Kathleen Feighny in HR at kfeighny@mines.edu with any questions.

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. 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 8,200 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, 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

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