The Department of Geological Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder (CU Boulder) invites applications for the Lucas J. Kimes Postdoctoral Fellowship. Through this fellowship, the Department seeks to support the early-career development of innovative scientists ready to address important challenges in the Earth Sciences. The Fellowship is also intended to enhance diversity in the geosciences, both at CU Boulder and in the broader academic and professional community by supporting researchers and scholars from a variety of backgrounds, races, ethnicities and historically excluded populations. Accordingly, the program is open to all persons who meet the eligibility criteria without regard to race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation or identity, religion, irreligion, age, marital or family status. Candidates who are first-generation college graduates, veterans, or identify as LGBTQ are particularly encouraged to apply.

The University of Colorado Boulder is committed to building a culturally diverse community of faculty, staff, and students dedicated to contributing to an inclusive campus environment. We are an Equal Opportunity employer, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who we are:

The University of Colorado at Boulder is ideally suited to the study of geological sciences. At the junction of the high plains and the Rocky Mountains, the Boulder area represents a natural outdoor laboratory where you can study geological features of all ages in diverse settings and observe earth processes firsthand.  

The department has research laboratories for studying rock and mineral deformation, soils, sedimentation, geomicrobial processes, petrology, isotope geochemistry, and mineralogy. Beyond the department, researchers also have access to a broad variety of shared analytical facilities across the CU Boulder campus. The department is affiliated with several research centers and institutes (INSTAAR, CSDMS, CIRES, LASP) and offers a diverse set of resources for teaching and research. 

The Department of Geological Sciences recognizes the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion in maintaining academic excellence and an intellectually and culturally enriching environment. We appreciate that diversity extends to different races and ethnicities, gender identities, nationalities, disabilities, and body types. As such, we expect all members of our Department to respect each other and to work to combat systemic racism and other biases. The Department is actively working on initiatives to further support a welcoming and inclusive climate and to increase the diversity of our students, faculty, and staff.

What your responsibilities will be: 

• Full-time mentored research and/or scholarship and field-appropriate professional activities in preparation for transition into a career. 
• These professional activities may include; performing research/scholarship under direct mentorship, submitting fellowship and/or grant applications, drafting and submitting publications of your research/scholarship, attending and/or presenting your research/scholarship at national and international meetings, mentoring junior trainees, attend responsible conduct of research training, attending professional skills training workshops offered through the Office of Postdoctoral Affairs. 
• Secondary responsibilities may be engaged as a part of professional development; however, such activities as lab management and instruction are not primary responsibilities of a Postdoctoral Fellow.

To apply, please submit the following materials:

If you are selected as the finalist, your degree will be verified by the CU Boulder Campus Human Resources Department using an approved online vendor.  However, if your degree was obtained outside of the United States, please submit a translated version.

During the application process, you will need to enter contact information for three references. We will request letters of recommendation immediately following your application.

• Please note: Letters will be due one week after application deadline.
• Please include: Two external letters and one letter from the proposed postdoc mentor (a CU GEOL faculty member): Please describe how the applicant’s planned research aligns with expertise and interest of their research group, facilities and resources available to the applicant, and describe how the mentor will provide mentoring to meet the applicant’s professional goals. 

 Review of applications will begin immediately and will continue until November 1, 2023.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email.  For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder jobs.