Job Summary

The Department of Chemistry at Colorado School of Mines invites applications for a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Halat Research Group. The successful candidate will develop and apply operando NMR and MRI methods to study electrochemical energy materials under polarization, with emphasis on lithium metal growth, ion transport, interfacial evolution, and spatially heterogeneous behavior in working cells. The position is especially well suited for candidates with experience in battery electrochemistry, operando or in situ characterization, and magnetic resonance methods.

The postdoctoral fellow will design and troubleshoot NMR-compatible electrochemical cells, perform operando NMR and MRI measurements during electrochemical cycling, and integrate those studies with complementary solid-state NMR and related characterization methods to build mechanistic understanding across length scales. The fellow will publish in peer-reviewed journals, present results at conferences, mentor students, and contribute to collaborative proposal development and safe laboratory operations.

Primary Responsibilities

• Develop and execute operando NMR and MRI experiments under electrochemical polarization to probe lithium plating and stripping, ion transport, concentration gradients, interfacial evolution, and spatial heterogeneity in working electrochemical cells, including design and troubleshooting of NMR-compatible cell hardware and workflows.
• Perform complementary solid-state NMR and integrate magnetic-resonance results with electrochemistry and other materials-characterization data to build mechanistic insight into electrochemical processes; analyze complex data sets, prepare manuscripts and presentations, mentor students, and contribute to collaborative project development.

Additional Responsibilities

• Maintain rigorous documentation, data management, instrument readiness, and safe laboratory practices for chemical, electrochemical, and magnetic resonance experiments.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. by the start date in Chemistry, Materials Science and Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Physics, or a closely related field, with demonstrated graduate-level research experience in electrochemical energy materials, operando or in situ characterization, magnetic resonance, or a closely related area.
• Demonstrated ability to independently design and execute advanced research experiments; strong background in at least one of the following areas: NMR or MRI, solid-state NMR, battery electrochemistry, lithium metal or lithium-ion materials, or operando or in situ methods; strong quantitative data analysis, scientific writing, and oral communication skills; and the ability to work effectively in a collaborative, interdisciplinary research environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ph.D. with direct research experience in operando or in situ magnetic resonance of batteries or other electrochemical systems, especially studies involving lithium metal growth, temperature gradients, low-temperature operation, electrochemical polarization, or spatially resolved transport and structure analysis.
• Experience combining NMR or MRI with complementary characterization or modeling tools such as electrochemical testing, XPS, microscopy, rheology, image reconstruction, or thermal and transport analysis; demonstrated troubleshooting skill for custom experimental setups; and evidence of strong peer-reviewed publication, mentoring, or interdisciplinary collaboration.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to perform laboratory work in chemistry, electrochemistry, and NMR environments, including prolonged sitting and standing, fine motor work for cell assembly and sample preparation, computer-based data analysis, and occasional lifting or moving of research materials or equipment up to approximately 25 pounds.

Potential Environmental Conditions/Hazards

• Exposure to chemicals, solvents, battery electrolytes, temperature-controlled equipment, energized electrochemical cells, and strong magnetic fields associated with NMR instrumentation; use of standard laboratory PPE, training, and safety procedures is required.

Anticipated Start

August 2026

Total Rewards

Salary:
$67,000 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
• 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

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 two references
• Up to three representative publications or preprints

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.

This posting may be used to fill multiple openings.

Contact:
Kathleen Feighny in HR
kfeighny@mines.edu

We appreciate your interest in 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 the Human Resources team at:

• hr@mines.edu
• 303.273.3250

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.

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