Professors of Geology

THE OPPORTUNITY:
The Department of Geology and Geological Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines (Mines) is seeking highly qualified applicants for the John D. Haun Endowed Professor of Energy Geoscience in Geology and Geological Engineering. We invite applications for an Associate Professor or Professor in Geology and Geological Engineering who has demonstrated teaching experience and expertise in Energy Geology, ideally applied to the emerging energy transition resources (e.g., CCUS, sedimentary basin geothermal, helium, hydrogen, salt storage) and with a view towards subsurface systems.

We seek candidates for this Endowed Chair with proven abilities to strategically develop and lead large research programs, contribute to department and university leadership in research and education initiatives, and promote interdisciplinary collaboration across campus. The successful candidate will have an established research program and expertise in sedimentary systems, including but not limited to, the measurement, quantification, and simulation of subsurface processes and properties, and how those properties control the accumulation and accessibility of liquid and gas energy resources. This research should complement and enhance the Department’s target areas for growth and excellence in research that supports the energy transition with potential to enhance collaborations with USGS scientists who will move to a new, 190,000 square-foot, Energy and Minerals Research Facility on the Mines campus in 2027.

The successful candidate will be expected to share in our mission to address the challenges of creating a sustainable global society by educating the next generation of geoscientists, engineers, and leaders, and by expanding the frontiers of geoscience knowledge through research. We highly value applicants with the ability to collaborate across disciplinary boundaries and secure research funding from a diverse array of sources, including but not limited to industry and federal agencies. For questions about this opportunity, contact the search chair, Eric Roberts (eric.roberts@mines.edu) or Department Head of Geology and Geological Engineering, Alexis Sitchler (asitchle@mines.edu).

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Develop and maintain a successful and externally funded research program that will produce scholarly publications.

• Supervise and mentor graduate and undergraduate students.

• Develop and deliver high-quality undergraduate and graduate Geology/Geological Engineering courses within the candidate’s areas of expertise.

• Provide leadership as an Endowed Chair within the Department, University, and professional communities in areas related to the Energy Transition.

• Promote and contribute to an inclusive and diverse Mines community.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

• Ph.D. from an accredited program in Geology or a closely related field.

• A track record of high-quality publications consistent with appointment at the Associate or Full Professor levels, and ability satisfy tenure requirements at Mines.

• Research experience in energy resources or relevant areas with proven success in obtaining external research funding.

• Experience and commitment to excellence in teaching and curriculum development at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

• Demonstrated understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion issues in higher education and a commitment to addressing these issues through concrete action.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Evidence of funded research or collaboration with the energy industry.

• Evidence of leadership experience in academia, industry or scientific societies.

• Commitment to innovation in teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT OF GEOLOGY AND GEOLOGICAL ENGINEERING:
The Department has 19 tenured/tenure-track faculty, 2 teaching faculty, and 9 research faculty, ~40% of whom are women and ~14% of whom identify as minorities. We also have 3 staff who support the mission of our Department. This cadre of professionals supports approximately 113 undergraduate students and 180 graduate students. The Department offers an ABET-accredited B.S. in Geological Engineering, and several M.S. and Ph.D. degrees are offered in the Department and through interdisciplinary programs at Mines, including Geology, Geological Engineering, Hydrologic Sciences and Engineering, Geochemistry, and Underground Construction and Tunnel Engineering. We also offer non-thesis/Professional M.S. degrees in Mineral Exploration, Geological Engineering, GIS/Geoinformatics and we offer a number of online certificate programs as well. More information can be found at https://geology.mines.edu/. In addition, the Mineral and Energy initiative with the US Geological Survey (USGS) will bring a new building on campus to house USGS geoscientists and their laboratories, together with a number of Mines faculty, researchers, and laboratories. This initiative is part of Mines’ broader Global Energy Future Initiative (https://www.mines.edu/global-energy-future/).

ABOUT MINES AND GOLDEN:

Colorado School of Mines, Colorado's oldest public university, premier engineering university, and an R1 institution, is located in Golden, Colorado: a historic gold rush-era town nestled in the foothills of the Rockies, 13 miles west of Denver and 21 miles south of Boulder. Mines is known globally for the quality of its students, the success of its alumni, and its unique expertise in topics related to earth, energy and the environment. Mines is consistently ranked among the top engineering colleges in the United States and ranks number one as the best public school in the state for best value colleges. Mines has about 6200 undergraduate students and 1800 graduate students in a broad range of applied science and engineering disciplines.

Mines maintains high-quality, well-funded research programs (~$106M in awards for fiscal year 2024) with strong participation from both graduate and undergraduate students. The 2024 edition of U.S. News and World Report’s America’s Best National Universities ranks Mines as the top-ranked university in Colorado, and 40th in the category of Top Public Schools. In addition, in 2024 Mines was awarded one of America’s Best Colleges by Money Magazine. Mines has the highest admissions standards of any public university in Colorado and among the highest of any public university in the U.S. The School’s proximity to Denver and Boulder provides opportunities for significant collaboration with government labs (including NREL, NIST, NCAR, and NOAA), industry, and other universities. Learn more at www.mines.edu.

PAY RANGE:

Mines is offering an academic year salary rate of the below ranges. This salary may be further supplemented during summer and winter research periods, using funds drawn from external grants or other sources.

John D. Haun Endowed Associate Professor: $115,000 - $130,000
John D. Haun Endowed Full Professor: $140,000 - $160,000

Endowed professors are also provided annual discretionary research funds. Mines takes into consideration a combination of the 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:

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
   

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. For full consideration apply by December 15th. Applications received after this date may or may not be considered. Candidates that applied by that time will be given preference. The desired start date is August 2025. Applicants will be asked to complete an online application (personal information, demographic information, and veteran status). References will not be contacted until later in the selection process and you will be informed before 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.

Mines strongly encourages applications from qualified candidates who will contribute to the diversity and excellence of our academic community through their research, teaching, and service.

Applicants must submit:

1. a cover letter expressing interest in the position; the candidate should clearly articulate whether they are applying at the Associate Professor or Professor level, 2. a curriculum vitae,

3. statement of research (up to 3 pages),

4. statement of teaching and student research mentoring (up to 3 pages),

5. statement of contributions to diversity, equity, inclusion and access (up to 3 pages)

6. a list of at least three references.

Research Statement: Candidates should describe their areas of expertise, including the most compelling scientific or engineering questions they study and their impact to date. Please also describe how your research complements research activities and expertise in the Department and at Mines, and current or future connections to industry, private and government organizations. Include any transdisciplinary aspects of your research and how they would complement and strengthen interdisciplinary programs in the Department and at Mines. For more information about research endeavors and opportunities, please visit https://research.mines.edu/.

Teaching and Mentoring Statement: Mines is committed to offering dynamic instruction at the undergraduate and graduate levels, including non-thesis/professional MS programs and certificates. We are also invested in offering high quality on-line instruction. In addition to your teaching pedagogy, interests, and experience, please describe any experience and/or interest you have in on-line education. Please also describe your experience with and interest in mentoring graduate student research. Finally, discuss any ideas you have on future curriculum that would benefit students toward a career in the future energy industry.

Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Access Statement: Candidates should submit a statement on Contributions to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion & Access. Mines is committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, and access (for more information, please visit https://www.mines.edu/about/diversity). The diversity statement should describe your experience and proposed activities to advance diversity, equity, inclusion, and access at Mines.

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, affirmative action, equal opportunity and equal access is reflected in the administration of its policies, procedures, programs and activities and in its efforts to achieve a diverse 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 inequity or concerns for safety.

Accommodations - 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 promote diversity and inclusion at Mines. 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. 

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

In your application, please refer to Professorpositions.com