Assistant Professor, Business Analytics/Operations Research

Engineering a world of possibilities

The Department of Economics and Business at the Colorado School of Mines (Mines) invites applications for a tenure-track Assistant Professor position in Business Analytics/Operations Research. The primary focus of this position will be to help develop and support the quantitative business programs on campus and to contribute to interdisciplinary research in Mines’ focus areas. We are open to all areas, but we are especially interested in candidates with expertise in supply chain, simulation, and optimization under uncertainty.

Business analytics, operations research, and associated courses are taught in several programs at Mines. In the Department of Economics and Business, these programs include the Engineering and Technology Management MS degree, the Mineral and Energy Economics MS and PhD program, the Business Engineering and Management Science BS degree, and the online Business Analytics certificate. Business analytics courses also support the interdisciplinary Operations Research with Engineering MS and PhD program and the Data Science MS degree.

This new faculty will also contribute to Mines priorities through engagement in interdisciplinary research. Mines aims to conduct research with an impact on sustainable and responsible development of earth resources, integrated energy systems, and innovative technological solutions. Information on research initiatives at Mines may be found at research.mines.edu. For further information about the position, department, or the university, please contact the search chair, Dr. Steven Smith, at [email protected].

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Establish and/or maintain a high-quality research program and publication record, including appropriate external funding.
• Develop and deliver course materials to undergraduate and graduate students demonstrating teaching excellence of high-quality and impact (3-4 courses per year).
• Supervise graduate research and thesis projects and mentor a diverse set of students.
• Contribute to both the institution and one’s profession through active service.
• Collaborate across campus representing the department.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• PhD in Business/Data Analytics, Operations Management, Operations Research, Industrial Engineering, Economics, or a closely related data-analytics discipline from an accredited program by the time the appointment begins.
• Ability and interest to effectively apply research skills in Mines’ research focus areas.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Commitment to excellence in teaching and curriculum development at both the undergraduate and graduate levels.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Successful record of teaching and research obtained via academic research, college-level teaching and/or industry or national lab experience.
• Experience working on and supporting externally funded grants and contracts.
• Demonstrated record of research publications in archival journals and conference proceedings.

About Mines & The Department of Economics and Business

Colorado School of Mines, Colorado's oldest public university, produces talent, knowledge and solutions that serve industry and benefit society—all to create a more prosperous future. Mines has about 6400 undergraduate students and 1900 graduate students in a broad range of applied science and engineering disciplines. Mines, an R1 institution, maintains high-quality, well-funded research programs (~$106M in awards for fiscal year 2024) with strong participation from both graduate and undergraduate students. The 2026 edition of U.S. News and World Report ranks Mines as a top 100 university. Mines has the highest admissions standards of any public university in Colorado and among the highest of any public university in the U.S.  Located in Golden, Colorado, Mines has close proximity to Denver and Boulder, providing opportunities for significant collaboration with government labs, industry, and other universities. More information can be found at www.mines.edu
 

The Department of Economics and Business comprises 19 faculty, providing business acumen and economic insights to address critical scientific, engineering, and societal challenges. The interdisciplinary faculty serves around 250 students across its graduate and undergraduate degrees. In addition, The Department offers key undergraduate core courses to provide societal and business context, and supports professional development of graduate and undergraduate students through courses and co-curricular activities. The Department has an extensive portfolio of research in areas central to Mines’ priorities (critical minerals, energy markets, economy-wide modeling of energy and environmental policy, natural resource development, and supply chain management). The Department engages programs across campus, including: Operations Research with Engineering, Advanced Energy Systems, Hydrological Science and Engineering, Space Resources, Data Science, Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage, as well as the Payne Institute for Public Policy and the McNeil Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation. More information on The Department is available at econbus.mines.edu  

TOTAL REWARDS
 

Assistant Professor: $114,350 - $149,000

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: 13 paid holidays per year – including a week-long winter break for entire campus.
• Fully vested retirement plan on first day of employment, with generous employer contribution of 12%.
• Tuition benefits (6 credits per year for employees, 50 percent discount for dependents).
• Access to an on-campus daycare center.
• Free RTD Ecopass for regional bus and light rail transportation.
   

Mines’ leadership and innovation bring proximity and access to several research centers, consortia, agencies, labs, and leading-edge technology. Additionally, 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

Priority review will begin on March 2nd, 2026, and will continue until the position is filled. For full consideration, please apply by March 1st, 2026. Applicants will be asked to complete an online application (personal information, demographic information, references, veteran status) and upload the below documents (required). References will not be collected or contacted until later in the selection process and you will be informed before that contact is made. Applicants will notice on the application form, there is only one location to upload all required materials. Further, once submitted, the applicant will not be able to edit their application. Applicants may submit their application as one combined document or as separate documents. The application must include: 

• a curriculum vitae, 
• a statement of research (at most 4 pages), 
• a statement of teaching (at most 2 pages), 
• a cover letter expressing interest in the position at Mines, and 
• one or two representative research papers (published or working paper) (PDFs) that best reflect the applicant’s scholarly contributions. 

Research Statement: Candidates should describe how their research relates to and complements research activities and expertise at Mines, its expected scholarly and societal impact, its relevance to Mines’ goals (e.g., earth, energy, and environment), and current or future connections to industry and/or opportunities for entrepreneurship. The statement should cover both the candidate's history of successful research as well as their plans for future research at Mines, and their plans for obtaining external funding for that future research. Candidates should also be sure to describe any transdisciplinary aspects of their research. (For more information visit https://research.mines.edu ). 
 

Teaching Statement: Mines is committed to high-quality, hands-on, and project-based learning. Additionally, Mines is growing its online MS non-thesis degree programs, online programs, and professional certificates. Candidates should cover their in-person and hands-on teaching pedagogy and be prepared to describe any experience they have in online education.  

Supplemental Information

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 is Required for this Position.

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