Teaching Assistant Professor, Space Resources

Position Title
Teaching Assistant Professor, Space Resources
The Opportunity

The Space Resources Program at Colorado School of Mines (Mines) invites applications for a non-tenure-track teaching assistant professor in Space Resources. Our mission at Mines is to address the challenge of creating thriving and sustainable human and robotic activities on Earth and in space by educating the next generation of scientists, engineers, entrepreneurs, policy makers, and leaders, and by expanding the frontiers of knowledge in our planet and beyond it through fundamental and applied research.

For this position, the Space Resources Program welcomes applications from candidates who have expertise in the field of space resources, have a commitment and motivation for teaching existing graduate-level online courses, develop new courses in the candidate’s area of expertise, and supervise graduate research and PhD thesis projects.

Responsibilities

The successful candidate will have the following responsibilities:

• Work closely with current faculty members to teach sections of existing online courses at the graduate level
• Develop new online courses in the area of expertise of the candidate as it applies to identifying, collecting, extracting, and utilizing resources from the Moon, small bodies, and planets
• Advise and mentor graduate students
• Contribute with management duties of program initiatives
• Contribute both institutionally and professionally through active service
• Cultivate and promote an inclusive and diverse Mines community through recruiting, mentorship, collaboration, and service

The candidate will also be encouraged to contribute with writing research proposals and getting involved in research projects. In addition, given the multidisciplinary nature of the field of space resources, we seek enthusiastic candidates who demonstrate the potential to develop interdisciplinary academic collaborations within the Space Resources program, across campus, and with partners throughout Colorado, the United States, and around the world.

Minimum Qualifications

The candidate should have the following minimum qualifications:

• An earned doctoral degree in a relevant field of Engineering or Physical Sciences by May 2023
• Expertise in the field of space resources
• Strong commitment to graduate education, excellent communication skills, and the ability to work effectively as a member of a teaching team
• A thorough understanding of modern, research-based educational practices
• Commitment to diversity, inclusion, and accessibility.

Preferred Qualifications

• Demonstrate experience with the delivery of online courses in a relevant curriculum at the graduate level using modern, research-vetted teaching practices.
• Post-doctoral or work experience

About Space Resources at Mines

Since the beginning of the space age in the 1960s, Mines has been a leading institution for the study of space resources and in situ resource utilization (ISRU). It has also become a destination for space scientists and engineers, government agencies, aerospace companies, entrepreneurs, the mining and minerals industry, financial and legal experts, and policy makers to discuss all topics related to space resources. The broad topic of space resources brings together many fields in which Mines has a strong presence, including remote sensing, geomechanics, mining, materials/metallurgy, robotics/automation, advanced manufacturing, electrochemistry, solar and nuclear energy, and resource economics. In this light, Mines launched the first-of-its-kind in the world multi-disciplinary graduate program in Space Resources in 2017 to offer Post-Baccalaureate Certificate, Master of Science, and Ph.D. degrees for college graduates and professionals interested in this emerging arena. The program focuses on developing core knowledge and gaining design practices in systems for responsible exploration, extraction, and use of resources in the Solar System. As of Spring 2022, the program had 132 students from 5 continents, 22 countries, and from a wide variety of educational and professional backgrounds in the sciences, engineering, economics, and public policy. More information can be found at https://space.mines.edu .

About Mines & Golden, CO
Mines, Colorado’s oldest public university, is located in picturesque Golden, Colorado, in the foothills of the Rockies, 13 miles west of Denver and 21 miles south of Boulder. Mines is consistently ranked among the top engineering colleges in the United States and ranks number one as the best public school in the state for best value colleges. Mines has 5,196 undergraduate students and 1,569 graduate students in a broad range of applied science and engineering disciplines. The School’s proximity to Denver and Boulder provides opportunities for significant collaboration with government labs and industry as well as other universities. We are well known for the abundance of outdoor recreational opportunities and a prominent and growing network of collaborating government agencies, laboratories, research centers, industry, and other universities. The region is also known for having the second largest aerospace economy in the nation and for experiencing a fast-growing number of start-up companies in the field of space resources.

Mines is known globally for the quality of its graduates, the success of its alumni, its unique expertise in topics related to Earth, energy and the environment, and its long history as a pioneer in the field of space resources. Mines produces industry-ready scientists and engineers who are known for their work ethic, problem-solving capabilities and ability to work in teams. Mines graduates are in great demand by companies and government entities around the world and are involved in solving major technical and societal challenges of our times.

Mines’ core values include Inquiry and Innovation, Inspiration, Challenge, Openness, Respect, Diversity, Compassion, and Collaboration. Each of these values facilitates our shared success, and the advancement of Mines and its mission. By our example and encouragement, we seek to foster these values throughout our community, and especially among our students, so as to inspire them to pursue excellence in our shared lives of inquiry and innovation. For more information please visit https://www.mines.edu/president/planning/ .

The University has several initiatives aimed at enhancing teaching and the student experience, including our exceptional Trefny Innovative Instruction Center, which supports best practices for teaching and learning on campus and online ( https://trefnycenter.mines.edu/ ). Our Center for Entrepreneurship and Education supports students and faculty to change the world through innovative thinking and entrepreneurial pursuits ( https://innovation.mines.edu/ ). The Mines community has developed a strategic plan for Diversity, Inclusion, and Access that supports a wide range of activities, including inclusive hiring, inclusivity in the classroom, cultivating a respectful and compassionate campus culture, family friendly programming and polices, expanding pathways for success, and ensuring shared responsibility ( https://www.mines.edu/about/diversity-and-inclusion/ ).

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, affirmative action, equal opportunity and equal access is reflected in the administration of its policies, procedures, programs and activities and in its efforts to achieve a diverse 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 inequity or concerns for safety.

Pay Range

Mines is offering an academic year salary of $72,000 - $104,600.

Given that Space Resources is an interdisciplinary program, Mines takes into consideration the home department as well as 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
Mines is proud to provide exceptional benefits that include pay, health & wellness and work/life balance offerings. Our portfolio of benefits includes medical, dental, vision, disability insurance, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, and retirement savings plans. Additionally, Mines employees are eligible for tuition benefits (for employees and dependents), generous paid holidays and leaves and discount programs. Additionally, Mines’ leadership and innovation brings proximity and access to several research centers, consortia, agencies, labs and leading edge technology. For more information, visit Mines benefits .
How to Apply
For full consideration, apply by December 31, 2022. Applicants who apply after this date may or may not be considered. Applicants will be asked to complete an online application (personal information, demographic information, provide 3 professional references, veterans status). References will not be contacted until later in the selection process and you will be informed before that contact is made. Given that the Space Resources is an interdisciplinary program, applicants will also be asked to indicate preferred area of specialization.

The application must include:

i. a curriculum vitae
ii. a cover letter expressing interest in the position and preferred area of specialization
iii. statement of teaching (1 page)
iv. statement of research (optional-1 page maximum)
v. statement of contributions to diversity and inclusion (1 page)

Teaching Statement: Mines is committed to offering dynamic instruction at the undergraduate and graduate levels, including post-baccalaureate certificate, non-thesis MS programs, and PhD degrees. Given that the various degrees offered by the Space Resources program are available fully online, we are also invested in offering high quality online instruction. In addition to your teaching philosophy and experience, please describe any experience and/or interest you have in online education.

Research Statement (optional): If the candidate is interested in conducting research in addition to the main teaching duties of the position, please describe how your research interests relates to and complements research activities and expertise in the Space Resources Program at Mines, its expected impact, current or future connections to industry, private, government, and international organizations, and opportunities for entrepreneurship. Please describe any transdisciplinary aspects of your research interests and how they would complement and strengthen the Space Resources interdisciplinary program and Mines.

Diversity and Inclusivity Statement: Mines is committed to access, inclusion, and diversity. For more information and to read the Strategic Plan for Diversity, Access and Inclusion, visit https://www.mines.edu/about/diversity-and-inclusion/ . Your diversity and inclusivity statement should describe your past experience and proposed activities to advance access, inclusion, and diversity at Mines.

Contact Kathleen Feighny, Human Resources, at kfeighny@mines.edu with any questions.

Background Investigation Required
Yes

Advertised: Oct 27, 2022 Mountain Daylight Time
Applications close: