Engineering a world of possibilities

This is a one-year position with the possibility of extending a second year, pending funding and performance. This position will lead laboratory investigations aimed at improving the performance of biochar as a functional additive and supplementary cementitious material in concrete through targeted chemical modification. This position will design and execute surface treatment and functionalization strategies (e.g., oxidative treatments, chemical grafting, mineral coatings, or impregnation approaches) to tune biochar surface chemistry, wettability, and reactivity, and will systematically characterize the resulting materials. These modified biochars will be evaluated in cement paste, mortar, and concrete systems for their effects on hydration, workability, mechanical performance, and durability. This position will work closely with graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and industry collaborators to translate promising modification routes toward scalable processes. Additional responsibilities include lab management, preparing project reports, scholarly publications, and research proposals.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Design and conduct chemical modification and functionalization of biochar to improve its performance in cementitious systems
• Characterize the physical and chemical properties of raw and modified biochars and evaluate their performance in cement paste, mortar, and concrete
• Prepare research manuscripts and technical reports
• Assist with mentoring of graduate and undergraduate students and training of research collaborators
• Assist with preparing research proposals resulting from the conducted research
• Assist with managing equipment, supplies, and cleanliness of laboratory spaces

Minimum Qualifications

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field (chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science and engineering, civil engineering, or other related fields)
  • For employees serving in a Principal Investigator or Co-Principal Investigator role: A PhD is required; however, a Bachelor’s degree and three years of an equivalent combination of relevant education and experience may be considered.
• Demonstrated hands-on experience with chemical synthesis and/or surface modification of materials

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written

Preferred

Education and Experience:

• Advanced degree in a related field (chemistry, chemical engineering, materials science and engineering, civil engineering, or other related fields)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Prior experience with carbon-based materials (biochar, activated carbon, carbon black, graphene oxide, or similar)
• Strong publication record in high-quality peer-reviewed journals
• Experience with surface chemistry characterization techniques such as FTIR, XPS, Raman spectroscopy, zeta potential, BET surface area analysis, TGA, or contact angle/wettability measurements
• Familiarity with cementitious materials or willingness to learn independently
• Experience with materials characterization equipment such as SEM-EDS, XRD, XRF, ICP-AES, or Micro-CT
• Interest in working at the interface of academic research and industry translation
  
  

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. 

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 diverse community, where our different perspectives, experiences and cultures enrich the educational and work experience?  

Look to Mines. 

Annual Rate 

$65,000

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. 

In addition to the amazing benefits mentioned below, Mines continues to show its dedication to its employees by offering an 11% employee contribution through our Mines Defined Contribution Plan and an incredible 12% employer contribution with immediate 100% vesting for our University Staff positions!

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. (remove period)
• 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 (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 

Interested applicants should apply online as soon as possible.  This position will remain open until hired. Applicants will be asked to complete an online application and upload a resume. References will not be collected or contacted until later in the selection process and the candidate will be informed before that contact is made.

Contact Dorie Gelber, Human Resources, at [email protected] with any questions about this opportunity. 

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 [email protected] or 303.273.3250 for assistance.

Successful completion of a background investigation may be 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