Postdoctoral Fellow in Physics

Colorado School of Mines

Location: Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO, USA (in collaboration with the National Laboratory of the Rockies)
Supervisor: Dr. Jeramy D. Zimmerman (Mines) & Dr. Bryon Larson (National Laboratory of the Rockies)
Field: Materials Science / Organic Photovoltaics

THE OPPORTUNITY

Colorado School of Mines invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher to focus on extending the lifetime of organic solar cells and modules. The position involves materials development, deposition, packaging, and reliability testing of organic photovoltaics (OPVs).

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Develop packaging strategies to enhance OPV durability and operational lifetime

  • Design and execute accelerated stress/reliability tests and interpret degradation behavior

  • Conduct post-mortem/root-cause failure analysis to identify mechanisms of performance loss

  • Apply analytical chemistry and materials characterization tools (HPLC, NMR, SEM, XPS, XRD)

  • Perform PV device/module measurements (EQE, IV testing)

  • Fabricate OPV devices using scalable coating methods (blade, bar, gravure, slot-die)

  • Collaborate across disciplines and learn new technical areas to support project goals

  • Communicate findings via publications and presentations

  • Follow strong EHS practices; potentially serve as Designated Area Representative

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

  • PhD in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, or related field

  • Experience in fabricating and testing organic photovoltaics

  • Strong oral and written communication and interpersonal skills

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience with mini-modules or large-area OPV devices

  • Encapsulation experience for organic photovoltaics

  • Solution and vapor-phase deposition processes

  • Accelerated stress/reliability testing

  • Post-mortem failure analysis

  • Analytical chemistry and materials characterization skills

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Salary: $65,000 – $73,000 per year

Benefits include:

  • Flexible health and dental coverage (EE-only coverage valued at $10,308 until July 1, 2026)

  • 13 paid holidays per year, including a week-long winter break

  • Fully vested retirement plan with 12% employer contribution (~$8,640/year)

  • Tuition benefits (6 credits/year for employees, 50% discount for dependents)

  • Free RTD Ecopass for public transport

  • Campus recreation center access, discounts, daycare services, and athletic events

More details: Mines Benefits

APPLICATION PROCESS

  • Ongoing review until position is filled

  • Applicants must complete an online application and upload:

    • CV with publication list

    • Letter of interest describing qualifications

    • Contact information for three references

Disability Accommodation:
Reasonable accommodations provided per ADA; contact HR at hr@mines.edu or 303-273-3250.

Background Check: Required

HR Contact: Kathleen Feighny – kfeighny@mines.edu

ABOUT MINES & GOLDEN, COLORADO

  • Colorado School of Mines: top-ranked public university focused on Earth, energy, and environmental challenges

  • R1 “Very High Activity” research institution

  • ~7,000 students; strong STEM focus with a collaborative campus community

  • Golden, CO: historic downtown, hiking trails, high-altitude sunny climate, near Denver and Rocky Mountains

Equal Opportunity:
Mines is committed to nondiscrimination and equal opportunity regardless of age, sex, gender, ancestry, creed, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, or military service.

Apply