Postdoctoral Fellow - Satellite Remote Sensing of Lake and Coastal Ice

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

Minimum Qualifications

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

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 

$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. 

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

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

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 may be 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