Colorado School of Mines Position Details Institution: Colorado School of Mines (in partnership with NIST PREP) Department: Mechanical Engineering Position
Title: Postdoctoral Fellow / PREP Research Associate Location: Golden, Colorado Employment Type: Full-time, Postdoctoral / Research Associate Salary: $60,000 – $70,000 annually Start Date: Flexible / Open until filled Application: Online via Mines portal (upload CV and 3 references) Program Overview This role is part of the NIST Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) , a partnership between Mines and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) . Goal: Conduct cutting-edge research on fatigue and failure in additively manufactured metals , focusing on surface measurement science and quality assurance to improve fatigue life prediction. Dual Mentorship: Collaborate with both Mines faculty and NIST scientists. Key Responsibilities Surface roughness measurement and analysis for additively manufactured (AM) metals Fatigue testing and fractography for AM metals Fatigue modeling and computational analysis for AM metals Publish results in peer-reviewed journals and present findings at meetings Document protocols, software, and experimental data for organizational sharing Required Qualifications Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing, Computer Science, or a related field Proficiency with: X-ray micro computed tomography (µCT) Laser confocal scanning microscopy Focus variation microscopy Fatigue testing and fractography Fatigue modeling Strong oral and written communication skills Supervisors: Dr. Joy Gockel (Mines) and Dr. Nik Hrabe (NIST) Benefits Flexible health and dental care options 13 paid holidays per year, including week-long winter break Fully vested retirement plan on first day, with generous employer contribution Tuition benefits: 6 credits/year for employees, 50% discount for dependents Free RTD Ecopass Access to campus Recreation Center, Outdoor Rec equipment rentals, athletics, and on-campus daycare Location Highlights Mines is located in Golden, CO , near Denver and the Rocky Mountains Offers outdoor recreation, historic downtown, and high-altitude climate R1 “Very High Activity” research institution with ~7,000 students How to Apply Required Materials: Curriculum Vitae (including publication list) List of three professional references Contacts for Reasonable Accommodations / Questions: HR: hr@mines.edu | 303-273-3250 Kathleen Feighny (HR): kfeighny@mines.edu Focus: This position is ideal for candidates with expertise in mechanical testing, additive manufacturing, and surface characterization , looking for a hands-on research postdoc with strong opportunities for collaboration with NIST. Apply
