Visiting Assistant or Associate Professor - Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences Department

Engineering a world of possibilities

The Department of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences (HASS) at Colorado School of Mines (Mines) invites applications for a Hennebach Visiting Assistant or Associate Professor.

We are seeking a scholar with innovative expertise in humanistic or social scientific approaches to issues of global relevance in environment, energy and/or natural resources. Disciplinary approach and specialization is open. We are particularly interested in scholars who examine the significance of natural resources in relationship to a variety of dynamics, which may include: transnational and imperial circuits; multi-scalar dynamics of climate governance; cultural meanings, hierarchies and power; environmental and ecosystemic change; ethics; governance, law and policy; critical minerals; the social dimensions of energy and/or energy transitions.

We welcome applicants from all fields in the social sciences and humanistic social sciences. The scholar will join a multi-disciplinary department at an applied science and engineering university with an active, hands-on approach to addressing global challenges in Earth, Energy, and Environment. We are especially interested in those who have a track record or clear promise of high-impact scholarship and interdisciplinary engagement with applied scientists and engineers. Research expectations should involve a plan for developing/leading an independent research portfolio that engages Mines faculty and students, including grant writing and journal publications. The position provides an opportunity to engage in creative, interdisciplinary scholarship with specialists in a variety of STEM disciplines. Competitive applicants will have training and expertise in a relevant social science discipline or interdisciplinary field, including but not limited to anthropology, environmental studies, ethics, ethnic studies, geography, media studies, political science, public policy, science and technology studies, sociology, or urban studies.

The position is funded for two years, with the possibility of a third: the Ralph Hennebach Fund for the Humanities serves to improve campus access to both emerging and well-established scholars in the fine arts, humanities, and humanistic social sciences. In the past, some of these visiting positions have transitioned into tenure-line hires, depending on the success of the candidate and the availability of funding. The position requires leading both graduate and undergraduate courses, and applicants should have PhD in hand at the time of employment.

The successful candidate will join a community of scholars affiliated with degree programs including the interdisciplinary graduate programs in Environment, Resources & Energy Policy (ENREP), housed in HASS. Other academic programs that the candidate will engage with include Humanitarian Science and Engineering (Engineering, Design, and Society); and Hydrologic Science and Engineering (School of Earth, Space and Planets) and the School of Minerals and Subsurface Energy. Additional opportunities exist in undergraduate programs such as the University Honors and Scholars Program; the interdisciplinary Energy minor; and HASS minors in Environmental and Sustainability Studies, as well as Culture, Creativity and Communication; university consortia including The Payne Institute for Public Policy, and the Mines/National Lab of the Rockies Nexus; and departmental initiatives including The Critical Environments Lab and the Hennebach Program in the Humanities.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Demonstrated teaching experience at the university level.
• Ph.D. in hand by the time the appointment begins.
• An active research agenda that pursues compelling questions about global geopolitics of energy/natural resources or environment.
• Assistant Professor candidates must demonstrate the potential for excellence and a positive trajectory in university-level teaching, scholarship, and service.
• Associate Professor candidates must demonstrate a proven track record of success in teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Associate Professor candidates must have an established and currently funded research program with clear potential for continuance.
• Associate Professor candidates must have a record of publication at top-tier international conferences and/or journals in the search area.
• Demonstrated teaching experience as the sole instructor of university-level courses.
• Commitment to excellence in teaching and curriculum development.
• Demonstrated understanding of diversity, equity, and inclusion issues in higher education and a commitment to addressing these issues through concrete action.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Demonstrated teaching experience as the sole instructor of university-level courses.
• Commitment to innovation in teaching at the undergraduate and graduate levels.
• Demonstrated ability to develop or maintain an externally funded research program.
• A track record of, or a clear plan for, interdisciplinary engagement (with humanists and/or applied scientists and engineers) or public engagement (via teaching, research, or outreach).

HASS and Mines:

HASS faculty are dedicated to delivering a program of excellence in the arts, humanities and social sciences that is designed to prepare students for the complex challenges of professional, civic, and private life in the 21st century. The HASS Department at Mines is refreshingly multidisciplinary and unique. Whereas other universities have many individual departments, HASS has faculty from across the arts, humanities, and social sciences housed together. Professors in history, political science, literature, music, geography, philosophers, and more constitute a creative amalgam of expertise and a dedication to Mines students. Our interdisciplinary faculty design creative courses, collaborate with departments across campus, and spearhead innovative–and sometimes transdisciplinary–research. HASS is also home for novel initiatives, such as the undergraduate Environmental Leadership Lab, a growing graduate degree in NREP, and 22 full-time faculty with impressive publication records.

About Mines & Golden, CO 

When the world looks for answers, the world looks to Mines. 

Colorado School of Mines is a top-ranked public university solving the grand challenges facing our society, particularly those related to the Earth, energy and the environment. Founded in 1874 with specialties in mining and metallurgy, Mines’ scope and mission have continually expanded to meet the needs of industry and society. Today, we are the No. 36 public university in the nation, recognized for our innovation and undergraduate teaching in science, technology engineering and math (U.S. News and World Report, 2025). 

Mines graduates are change makers, boundary breakers and problem solvers. Since our earliest days, a Mines education has been and continues to be a transformational opportunity, with one of the strongest returns on investment out there for talented STEM students of all backgrounds.  

At the same time, Mines faculty members are pushing their fields in new directions, whether that’s manufacturing, space resources, quantum engineering, carbon capture or more. Mines was recently classified as a R1 “Very High Activity” research institution by Carnegie, a notable feat for any university but particularly one of our size. 

Are you looking for an inspiring, mission-driven workplace where you can contribute to solving the world’s problems and educating the next generation of change makers? Are you an individual who values a diverse and inclusive community, where our different perspectives, experiences and cultures enrich the educational and work experience?  

Look to Mines. 

Annual Rate 

Associate Professor

$90,000 to $110,000

Assistant Professor

$78,000 to $90,000

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 faculty 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
• 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, October 19, 2026. If you submit your application after this date, it may or may not be considered.  References will not be collected or contacted until later in the selection process and the candidate will be informed before that contact is made.

Applications must include: 1) a cover letter stating area of interest, highlighting accomplishments to date, future directions at Mines and how they will interface with the department.; 2) curriculum vitae; 3) statement of teaching; and, 4) a research statement

Teaching Statement: Mines is committed to high-quality, hands-on, and project-based learning. Additionally, Mines is growing its online MS non-thesis degree programs. Candidates should cover their in-person and hands-on teaching pedagogy and be prepared to describe any experience they have in online education. Statement should be no longer than two pages.

Research Statement: Candidates should cover their research interests, skills and accomplishments as expressed in this ad. Statement should be no longer than two pages.

Contact Dorie Gelber, Human Resources, at [email protected] with any questions about this opportunity. 

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 [email protected] 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