Postdoctoral Fellow in Physics (Colorado School of Mines)

Location: Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO, USA (in collaboration with the National Laboratory of the Rockies) Supervisor: Dr. Jeramy D. Zimmerman (Mines) & Dr. Bryon Larson (National Laboratory of the Rockies) Field: Materials Science / Organic Photovoltaics THE OPPORTUNITY Colorado School of Mines invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher to focus on extending the lifetime of organic solar cells and modules. The position involves materials development, deposition, packaging, and reliability testing of organic photovoltaics (OPVs). KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Develop packaging strategies to enhance OPV durability and operational lifetime Design and execute accelerated stress/reliability tests and interpret degradation behavior Conduct post-mortem/root-cause failure analysis to identify mechanisms of performance loss Apply analytical chemistry and materials characterization tools (HPLC, NMR, SEM, XPS, XRD) Perform PV device/module measurements (EQE, IV testing) Fabricate OPV devices using scalable coating methods (blade, bar, gravure, slot-die) Collaborate across disciplines and learn new technical areas to support project goals Communicate findings via publications and presentations Follow strong EHS practices; potentially serve as Designated Area Representative MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS PhD in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, or related field Experience in fabricating and testing organic photovoltaics Strong oral and written communication and interpersonal skills Preferred Qualifications: Experience with mini-modules or large-area OPV devices Encapsulation experience for organic photovoltaics Solution and vapor-phase deposition processes Accelerated stress/reliability testing Post-mortem failure analysis Analytical chemistry and materials characterization skills COMPENSATION & BENEFITS Salary: $65,000 – $73,000 per year Benefits include: Flexible health and dental coverage (EE-only coverage valued at $10,308 until July 1, 2026) 13 paid holidays per year, including a week-long winter break Fully vested retirement plan with 12% employer contribution (~$8,640/year) Tuition benefits (6 credits/year for employees, 50% discount for dependents) Free RTD Ecopass for public transport Campus recreation center access, discounts, daycare services, and athletic events More details: Mines Benefits APPLICATION PROCESS Ongoing review until position is filled Applicants must complete an online application and upload: CV with publication list Letter of interest describing qualifications Contact information for three references Disability Accommodation: Reasonable accommodations provided per ADA; contact HR at hr@mines.edu or 303-273-3250. Background Check: Required HR Contact: Kathleen Feighny – kfeighny@mines.edu ABOUT MINES & GOLDEN, COLORADO Colorado School of Mines: top-ranked public university focused on Earth, energy, and environmental challenges R1 “Very High Activity” research institution ~7,000 students; strong STEM focus with a collaborative campus community Golden, CO: historic downtown, hiking trails, high-altitude sunny climate, near Denver and Rocky Mountains Equal Opportunity: Mines is committed to nondiscrimination and equal opportunity regardless of age, sex, gender, ancestry, creed, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, or military service. If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Physicaloxy

Location: Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO, USA (in collaboration with the National Laboratory of the Rockies)
Supervisor: Dr. Jeramy D. Zimmerman (Mines) & Dr. Bryon Larson (National Laboratory of the Rockies)
Field: Materials Science / Organic Photovoltaics

THE OPPORTUNITY

Colorado School of Mines invites applications for a postdoctoral researcher to focus on extending the lifetime of organic solar cells and modules. The position involves materials development, deposition, packaging, and reliability testing of organic photovoltaics (OPVs).

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Develop packaging strategies to enhance OPV durability and operational lifetime
Design and execute accelerated stress/reliability tests and interpret degradation behavior
Conduct post-mortem/root-cause failure analysis to identify mechanisms of performance loss
Apply analytical chemistry and materials characterization tools (HPLC, NMR, SEM, XPS, XRD)
Perform PV device/module measurements (EQE, IV testing)
Fabricate OPV devices using scalable coating methods (blade, bar, gravure, slot-die)
Collaborate across disciplines and learn new technical areas to support project goals
Communicate findings via publications and presentations
Follow strong EHS practices; potentially serve as Designated Area Representative

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

PhD in Materials Science, Chemistry, Physics, or related field
Experience in fabricating and testing organic photovoltaics
Strong oral and written communication and interpersonal skills

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with mini-modules or large-area OPV devices
Encapsulation experience for organic photovoltaics
Solution and vapor-phase deposition processes
Accelerated stress/reliability testing
Post-mortem failure analysis
Analytical chemistry and materials characterization skills

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

Salary: $65,000 – $73,000 per year

Benefits include:

Flexible health and dental coverage (EE-only coverage valued at $10,308 until July 1, 2026)
13 paid holidays per year, including a week-long winter break
Fully vested retirement plan with 12% employer contribution (~$8,640/year)
Tuition benefits (6 credits/year for employees, 50% discount for dependents)
Free RTD Ecopass for public transport
Campus recreation center access, discounts, daycare services, and athletic events

More details: Mines Benefits

APPLICATION PROCESS

Ongoing review until position is filled
Applicants must complete an online application and upload:
- CV with publication list
- Letter of interest describing qualifications
- Contact information for three references

Disability Accommodation:
Reasonable accommodations provided per ADA; contact HR at hr@mines.edu or 303-273-3250.

Background Check: Required

HR Contact: Kathleen Feighny – kfeighny@mines.edu

ABOUT MINES & GOLDEN, COLORADO

Colorado School of Mines: top-ranked public university focused on Earth, energy, and environmental challenges
R1 “Very High Activity” research institution
~7,000 students; strong STEM focus with a collaborative campus community
Golden, CO: historic downtown, hiking trails, high-altitude sunny climate, near Denver and Rocky Mountains

Equal Opportunity:
Mines is committed to nondiscrimination and equal opportunity regardless of age, sex, gender, ancestry, creed, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, or military service.

If you apply for this position please say you saw it on Physicaloxy

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