Engineering a world of possibilities
Colorado School of Mines is hiring an 18\.7\-month (potential extension to 24 months) in\-person Postdoctoral Fellow to advance seismic event and explosion monitoring through edge computing. Starting around May 1, 2026, the fellow will develop a Python\-based edge\-computing framework integrated with the Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) Data Analysis Ecosystem, build and test the hardware system in both lab and field settings, and optimize algorithms for real\-time performance. The role is funded through the federal MINEM (Multi\-Informatics for Nuclear Explosion Monitoring) program and involves collaboration with Rice University partners.
Colorado School of Mines Department of Geophysics is seeking a postdoctoral fellow to support our research on developing an edge computing system for seismic event and explosion monitoring. Beyond core development work, the fellow will publish research, prepare technical reports and proposals, present findings, and help mentor students and collaborators. Some travel may be required.
Ideal candidates hold a PhD in computational science, geophysics, applied math, physics, civil engineering, or a related field, and bring a strong publication record, open\-source software experience, and hands\-on Python development skills. Experience with large seismic array datasets (100\+ GB), machine learning applications in seismic analysis, DAS data collection, and real\-time or edge computing systems is a strong plus.
The postdoctoral fellow will grow a new open\-source package within the Distributed Acoustic Sensing Data Analysis Ecosystem to analyze seismic events on an edge\-computing system. They will conduct tests of this system, grow the framework with connections to other existing artificial intelligence tools, and optimize algorithms within the software to guarantee real\-time performance under a variety of event and noise scenarios. The postdoctoral fellow will contribute to this project in close collaboration with the project team. Additional responsibilities include preparing project reports, scholarly publications, presentations, and research proposals. The role also involves close collaboration with research partners at Rice University, and the fellow may be required to travel and conduct on\-site work to support key project activities. This project is funded through the Multi\-Informatics for Nuclear Explosion Monitoring (MINEM) program.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
- Develop a python\-based edge\-computing framework compatible with DASCore
- Build and test an edge\-computing hardware system connected to a DAS interrogator within test\-bed laboratory and large\-scale field trials
- Optimize algorithms for deployment within the edge\-computing framework
- Document software, participate in feedback sessions with federal agency partners, and conduct tutorials for federal agency partners
- Prepare research manuscripts, presentations and technical reports
- Assist with mentoring of graduate and undergraduate students and training of research collaborators
- Assist with preparing research proposals resulting from the conducted research
- A PhD in a related field (computational science and engineering, applied math, geophysics, physics civil engineering, or geosciences)
- Strong publication record in high quality peer\-reviewed journals
- Record of contributing to or releasing open\-source software for geophysics or signal processing
- Prior experience conducting research using a dense seismic array dataset that is at least 100 GB in total size
- Prior experience developing Python software
- Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
- Currently in the US with current work authorization
- Ability to travel to other states within the US
- Prior experience with characterization (e.g. location, magnitude, moment tensor) of seismic events
- Prior experience with optimization of algorithms for seismic data analysis
- Prior experience with applying machine learning and artificial intelligence tools to seismic array or network data
- Prior experience collecting distributed acoustic sensing data
- Prior experience with edge computing or real\-time decision systems
- Flexible health and dental care options
- Generous sick/vacation time: 13 paid holidays per year – including a week\-long winter break for entire campus. (remove period)
- 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 (EcoPass)
Minimum Qualifications:
Education and Experience:
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
Preferred:
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
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. 38 public university in the nation, recognized for our innovation and undergraduate teaching in science, technology engineering and math (U.S. News and World Report, 2023\).
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 community, where our different perspectives, experiences and cultures enrich the educational and work experience?
Look to Mines.
Annual Rate
$63,000 \- $65,000
Mines takes into consideration a combination of (the) 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 faculty positions!
Colorado School of Mines offers a robust portfolio of benefits for all employees.
For this role, that includes:
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 Tuesday, April 21, 2026. If you submit your application after this date, it may or may not be considered. Applicants will be asked to complete an online application and upload a resume. References will not be collected or contacted until later in the selection process and the candidate will be informed before that contact is made.
Contact Dorie Gelber, Human Resources, at dorie.gelber@mines.edu with any questions about this opportunity.
Background investigation required prior to start
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 hr@mines.edu 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*