Job Description

Position Summary:

The Ceramic Materials Group is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate to conduct innovative research in advanced manufacturing of critical engineering (ceramic) materials and/or advanced materials for electrochemical energy conversion and storage. The successful candidate will develop and execute independent and collaborative research, generate novel scientific results, publish in peer-reviewed journals, and contribute to the development of new research directions and proposals.

Full Consideration Date: please apply by Sunday, 11/15/2026, 11:59pm (MT).

Link to Mechanical Engineering Department website: https://www.engr.colostate.edu/me/

Essential Job Duties:

• Design, execute, and troubleshoot experimental research in advanced manufacturing of critical engineering (ceramic) materials and/or materials (especially ceramic materials) for electrochemical energy conversion and storage.
• Develop and evaluate new materials, processing approaches, experimental methodologies, and instrumentation.
• Collect, analyze, and interpret experimental data, including complex and multidisciplinary datasets.
• Identify scientific questions and develop innovative approaches to address challenging materials and processing problems.
• Conduct comprehensive literature reviews and critically evaluate existing scientific knowledge.
• Prepare and publish high-quality manuscripts in reputable peer-reviewed scientific journals.
• Present research findings at scientific conferences, seminars, and group meetings.
• Participate in brainstorming and collaborative research activities to develop novel research concepts and competitive research proposals.
• Contribute to the preparation of research proposals, technical reports, presentations, and other scholarly materials.

Conditions of Employment:

• Pre-employment Background Check (required for all new hires).
• Legally authorized to work in the US by the proposed start date.
• Valid driver’s license by the proposed start date.

Supervision:

• Assist in the supervision and mentoring of graduate students and undergraduate research assistants.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Ph.D. in Materials Science and Engineering, Applied Physics, (Inorganic) Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a closely related field.
• A strong publication record, including at least three first-author peer-reviewed journal publications in areas closely related to advanced manufacturing of materials, advanced ceramics, electrochemical energy conversion and storage, or other related materials research.
• Demonstrated ability to independently design, conduct, analyze, and troubleshoot experimental research.
• Strong scientific writing and oral communication skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to research excellence and scientific rigor.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary research team.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Strong curiosity and enthusiasm for developing new materials, processing methods, experimental approaches, or scientific concepts.
• Experience developing or building new experimental instrumentation or laboratory capabilities is greatly preferred.
• Experience with advanced materials processing, manufacturing, synthesis, or characterization.
• Experience with electrochemical energy conversion and/or energy storage materials and devices.
• Demonstrated ability to formulate innovative research ideas and translate them into testable scientific hypotheses.
• Experience preparing research proposals, grant applications, or other competitive funding proposals.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to integrate knowledge across multiple disciplines.
• Experience mentoring graduate or undergraduate researchers.

Salary Range

$55,000 - $70,000 per year

Required Application Documents

To apply, please upload the following applicant documents. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

Cover Letter, Resume/CV, Writing/Publication/Grant Proposal Samples

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

• Review our detailed benefits information here.

• Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.

• For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.

• Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.