The Colorado School of Mines Department of Metallurgical and Materials Engineering invites applications for a post-doctoral researcher in the group of Prof. Vladan Stevanović.
The successful candidate’s responsibilities will consist of individual research, interacting with (and sometimes mentoring) undergraduate and graduate student researchers, potentially some classroom involvement, professional activities and other special opportunities and assignments.
We seek an outstanding individual holding a Ph.D. in physics, chemistry, materials science or related field, with a focus on development and application of the first-principles, electronic structure methods. The candidate should have demonstrated experience in (but not limited to) the computational techniques involving implementations of the density functional theory and related methods. Programing skills (FORTRAN, Python) are a plus.
All candidates applying for this position should be motivated to work in an interdisciplinary framework and to interact closely with other team members at Mines and partner institutions. The candidate is expected to work independently, demonstrating initiative, strong organizational and written/verbal communication skills, and respect for project deadlines.
The successful candidate will be offered a 12 month full-time position, with the expectation that the appointment will be renewed and the candidate will accomplish a substantial block of publishable research. It is expected that the candidate will have opportunities to interact with researchers from the industrial and federal laboratory communities, and to develop their skills and reputation to advance their career opportunities.
Applicants will be asked to complete an online application (personal information, demographic information, references, veteran status) and upload a CV and cover letter. References will not be contacted until later in the selection process and you will be informed before that contact is made.
Supervisor: Vladan Stevanović
Start date and end date: 10/01/2026 – 09/30/2027
Salary Rate: $70,000 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:
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 an on-campus daycare center. For more details about benefits at Mines, visit mines.edu/human-resources/benefits.
Applications must complete an online application (personal information, demographic information, veteran status) and upload the following (all required):
Applicants will notice there is only one upload box for all materials. This posting may be used to fill more than one vacancy based on business needs. Contact Kathleen Feighny in HR at kfeighny@mines.edu with any application questions.
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?
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.
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
