Job Details

Postdoctoral Associate in Poromechanics

Position Number: 6987905
Location: Boulder, CO
Position Type: Engineering - Civil and Environmental

Postdoctoral Associate in Poromechanics

Requisition Number: 70469
Location: Boulder Colorado
Employment Type: Research Faculty
Schedule: Full Time
Posting Close Date: 11-Mar-2026
Date Posted:

Job Summary

The Department of Civil, Environmental, and Architectural Engineering and the Materials Science and Engineering Program invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate position in the Multiphysical Geomechanics Research team under the supervision of Prof. Yida Zhang. In concert with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, the United States Geological Survey, which are also located in the area, the University of Colorado provides an outstanding, world-class environment for conducting advanced geomechanics and materials science research at the cutting edge.
A highly motivated and independent scholar is sought with training and deep expertise the areas of poromechanics and geochemistry. The Postdoctoral Research Associate will design and conduct advanced theoretical models and experiments for understanding the behavior of porous materials interacting with reactive environments. The Postdoctoral Research Associate will be expected to contribute to enhancing the vision and mission of a vibrant, cross-disciplinary collaborative research team at the University of Colorado Boulder at the intersection of continuum mechanics, physiochemistry, and thermodynamics. CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

The fields of civil, environmental and architectural engineering offer careers in planning, design, construction and management of the built environment as well as in the interaction between the built and natural environment. The Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering's mission is the education of undergraduate and graduate students to become leaders in the professional practice of engineering, contributing to technological advances that benefit humankind while enhancing the earth's physical and biological resources.
The Department of Civil, Environmental and Architectural Engineering fosters an environment of inclusivity and celebrates the increasing diversity of our student body. We are committed to fostering inclusive excellence and have adopted priorities to guide our values and practices.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Conduct fundamental theoretical and experimental research to understand the interplay between chemistry and mechanics for hard and soft porous materials.
Visualize, verify, and validate model developments as well as collect, prepare, and analyze experimental data for publication in high-quality scientific journals.
Work collaboratively with a diverse, interdisciplinary team of graduate students and national lab research scientists, internal and external to the University of Colorado Boulder.
Supervising, training, and mentoring other laboratory personnel.

What You Should Know

A background check will be required in accordance with the Boulder Campus Background Check Policy.

What We Can Offer

The salary rate associated with this position is $65,000. Relocation assistance may be available in accordance with College and Campus policy.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be creative. Be impactful. Be Boulder.

What We Require

A PhD in civil engineering, materials science, physics, or a related field.
A strong foundation on continuum mechanics, thermodynamics, and physics.
Excellent technical writing skills, as evidenced by multiple high-quality peer-reviewed publications.
An ability to work independently and possess a strong passion for (and commitment to) poromechanics and interdisciplinary research.
A high motivation for mentorship, project management, and collaboration.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

Resume/CV
Cover Letter
Writing Samples(s)
(Optional) List of References (Used for Phone Reference Checks)

For full consideration please apply by March 11, 2026.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs.
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

To apply, visit https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/Postdoctoral-Associate-in-Poromechanics/70469