Post-Doctoral Fellow, Satellite Remote Sensing of Lake and Coastal Ice

About the role

Engineering a world of possibilities

The Colorado School of Mines School of Earth, Space and Planets invites applications for a Post-Doctoral position in satellite remote sensing of lake and coastal ice.

This position will lead work on a NOAA funded project and apply novel ice retrieval algorithms to (1) derive ice freeboard and thickness for the Great Lakes and coastal Alaska, and (2) validate ice prediction for NOAA operational models of the Great Lakes and Alaska coast. Candidates should have strong expertise in remote sensing, machine learning methods, and lake hydrodynamics.

Funding is available for 9 months, with the possibility of extension if additional research funding is secured.

The position will be located in the School of Earth, Space and Planets at Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado. We at Mines recognize that diversity is a crucial component to excellence in education and research, and strive to cultivate a community in which students, faculty, and staff with differing backgrounds, perspectives, talents, and needs are supported.

The successful candidate will be offered a 9-month full-time Post-Doctoral Fellow position, with possibility of extension. The start date is December 1, 2026.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead independent research activities in collaboration with faculty advisor
• Participate in a weekly 1-hour research meeting
• Meet weekly lab members to provide research guidance
• Submit minimum of 2 research papers each year
• Conduct preliminary reviews of student research products: abstracts, posters, proposals, defense presentations, thesis, technical papers
• Assist in grant reporting and presentations, as appropriate
• Present findings at regional and national conferences

Education and Experience

• PhD in civil or environmental engineering, hydrology, watershed science or related field
• Expertise in remote sensing, machine learning, and lake ice
• Mentoring of graduate or undergraduates preferred

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Programming, machine learning and statistical analysis
• Hydrodynamic processes
• Remote sensing and satellite applications
• Ability to mentor undergraduate and graduate students
• Proposal idea generation and proposal writing

Annual Rate $65,000 to $70,000

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.

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 research 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
• 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

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 but before Monday, November 16, 2026. If you submit your application after this date, it may or may not be considered.

Application Requirements

All applications must include

• A cover letter of no more than 2 pages in length outlining the candidate's suitability and motivation for the role;
• Current curriculum vitae;
• Research statement