Professor of Mechanical Engineering

Engineering a World of Possibilities

The Opportunity

Colorado School of Mines invites applications for an Open Rank Teaching Faculty in Mechanical Engineering (ME). This is an exceptional opportunity to join a collaborative, well-resourced department committed to excellence in teaching, hands-on learning, and impactful research. We seek candidates who value innovative pedagogy, interdisciplinary problem-solving, and contributing to a thriving academic community.

Priority consideration will be given to candidates capable of contributing to the ME Department’s solid mechanics curriculum at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

Desirable teaching skills and experience include:

• Fundamental and Advanced Mechanics of Materials
• Finite Element Analysis – theory and practice with commercial software
• Fracture Mechanics & Fatigue – theory and practice with commercial software
• Composite Structures
• Theory of Linear Elasticity
• Nonlinear Material Behavior (plasticity, hyperelasticity, viscoelasticity, rate and temperature dependent material behavior)
• Machine Design and general design expertise
• Applications in additive manufacturing or quantum systems are of interest

For questions, please contact search chair, Ventzi Karaivanov, (vkaraiva@mines.edu).

Responsibilities

• Deliver high-quality instruction to undergraduate and graduate students in Mechanical Engineering
• Mentor and advise undergraduate students; support and advise graduate students as appropriate
• Promote a welcoming community through recruitment, mentoring, and service
• Contribute to departmental, university, and professional service activities
• Other related duties as assigned by the Department Head

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering or a closely related field from an accredited program (completed by the start date)
• Demonstrated commitment to excellence in teaching and curriculum development at the undergraduate and graduate levels
• Enthusiasm for employing best practices in STEM pedagogy
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills

Preferred Qualifications

• Proven effectiveness in university-level teaching

About the Department of Mechanical Engineering

The Department of Mechanical Engineering at Mines is dedicated to outstanding education and impactful research in areas including thermal-fluid systems, robotics and automation, systems and operations engineering, biomechanics, advanced manufacturing, and solid mechanics and materials.

Key Department Highlights

• 2,086 undergraduate students and 161 graduate students
• Strong project-based curriculum emphasizing hands-on engineering
• 29 tenured/tenure-track, 16 teaching, 4 professors of practice, and 6 research faculty
• Approximately $12M in annual research awards
• Specialized undergraduate and graduate programs in robotics, automotive engineering, biomechanics, aerospace engineering, energy systems, and systems engineering

More information: mechanical.mines.edu

About Colorado School of Mines

Colorado School of Mines is the state’s oldest public university, producing talent and solutions that drive industry and benefit society. Mines enrolls approximately 6,400 undergraduates and 1,900 graduate students across applied science and engineering disciplines and maintains robust, well-funded research programs (approximately $106M in research awards in FY 2024).

Mines is routinely recognized as a top-tier institution and holds some of the highest admissions standards among U.S. public universities.

Located in Golden, Colorado, Mines enjoys proximity to Denver and Boulder, enabling strong collaborations with leading national laboratories (NREL, NIST, NCAR, NOAA), industry partners, and nearby universities.

More information: www.mines.edu

Pay Range

Mines is offering an academic year salary rate of $85,000 to $125,000 depending on rank. This salary may be further supplemented during summer and winter research periods by teaching or using funds drawn from external grants or other sources.

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.

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)
• Access to an on-campus daycare center
• Free RTD Ecopass for regional light-rail and bus transportation

Mines’ leadership and innovation bring proximity and access to several research centers, consortia, agencies, labs, and leading-edge technology. Additionally, all Mines employees have access to discount programs through the State of Colorado and free tickets for Mines Athletics home games, as well as access to the on-campus Recreation Center (fitness classes and training, swimming pool and more), equipment rentals through the Outdoor Rec Center and the Colorado State Employee Assistance Program (CSEAP).

For more information, visit Mines benefits.

How to Apply

Applications will be accepted until February 24 at 12:00 a.m. The desired start date is August 2025.

Applicants will be asked to complete an online application (personal information, demographic information, and veteran status) and upload the below documents. 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.

Required materials:

• cover letter briefly describing interest in and qualifications for the position
• curriculum vitae
• statement of teaching, with a description of experience in project-based courses, online education, and use of active learning techniques in the classroom (up to 3 pages)

Teaching Statement

Mines and the ME Department prides itself on strong, project-based course offerings that apply theoretical knowledge and engineering skills through classroom activities. Candidates should describe their pedagogical approach, how it reflects best practices in STEM education, and describe any teaching qualifications, including previous experience.

Additionally, Mines is growing its online MS non-thesis degree programs. Candidates should highlight their in-person and hands-on teaching pedagogy and be prepared to describe any experience they have in online education.

Contact Kathleen Feighny in HR at kfeighny@mines.edu with any questions. Thanks for 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 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.

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