Assistant Professor, Mining and Metallurgical Engineering

The University of Nevada Reno (UNR) appreciates your interest in employment at our growing institution. We want your application process to go smoothly and quickly. Final applications must be submitted prior to the close of the recruitment.

If you need assistance or have questions regarding the application process please contact our recruitment helpline at or .

The Department of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering at the University of Nevada Reno (UNR) invites applications for two full-time 9-month contract tenure-track faculty positions in Mining Engineering at the rank of Assistant Professor with an anticipated start date of July 1 2027. We seek dynamic and innovative candidates committed to excellence in teaching research and service who will contribute to our departments mission of advancing knowledge in the mining field.

Key Responsibilities

Teaching:

• Develop and teach undergraduate and graduate courses in mine design mining automation mine safety Ventilation blasting and general mining engineering.

• Mentor and advise undergraduate and graduate students.

• Contribute to curriculum development and innovative teaching methodologies including online or hybrid course delivery.

Research:

• Establish a strong externally funded research program addressing critical challenges in the mining industry.

• Research areas may include but are not limited to:

  • Mine automation and data analytics

  • Mine ventilation and safety

  • Drilling blasting and explosives engineering

  • Resource and reserve estimation

  • Other related mining engineering topics

• Engage in interdisciplinary collaborations with other departments research institutes and industry partners.

• Secure research grants and publish findings in high-impact peer-reviewed journals.

Service:

• Serve on departmental college and university committees.

• Support the departments strategic initiatives including program development accreditation and community outreach.

• Actively participate in professional societies such as the Society for Mining Metallurgy & Exploration (SME).

• Contribute to journal editorial and peer-review processes.

Required Qualifications

Ph.D. in Mining Engineering or a closely related field by the start date of the appointment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in mining automation data analytics and related digital technologies.

• A strong research record demonstrated through peer-reviewed publications and successful acquisition of external funding.

• Experience in interdisciplinary research and industry collaborations.

• Professional experience in the mining industry; Professional Engineer (PE) licensure is a plus.

• Demonstrated excellence in teaching with experience in curriculum development and innovative instructional methods.

• Active engagement in professional organizations such as SME.

• Commitment to diversity equity and inclusion in teaching research and service.

Compensation Grade

Assistant Professor

To view the salary schedule for this position please visit:Salary Schedulesand select (9-month contract) Academic Faculty. Salary is competitive and commensurate with related education and experience.

Perks of working at UNR

• Health insurance options including dental and vision -Health Insurance

• Generous sick leave life insurance and long-term disability Faculty Benefits

• E. L. Wiegand Fitness Center offers an annual or semester membership and family membership options.E.L. Wiegand Fitness Center

• Mountain EAPsupports employees (and eligible dependents) through lifes difficult moments. Mountain EAP is located in Reno and specializes in counseling and advising services for personal or interpersonal issues.

• Faculty Senate is the principal representing body for faculty. Its membership includes representatives from each academic and administrative major unit of the University.Faculty Senate

• No state income tax!

Grants-in-aid for Faculty Employees

The University is proud to provide a reduced-rate tuition benefit to faculty and qualified dependents. Faculty can take up to six credits per semester at a reduced rate. Dependents of faculty have unlimited credits but in order to be eligible children must be unmarried and under the age of 24 and must receive at least 50% of their financial support from the employee and/or employees spouse or domestic partner. Faculty Grants-in-Aid

Faculty Dual Career Assistance Program

The University of Nevada Reno recognizes the importance of addressing dual-career couples professional needs. We offer a dual career assistance program to newly hired faculty spouses/partners that provides resources and assists them to identify career opportunities in Northern Nevada. Dual Career Assistance Program

Department Information

The University of Nevada Reno has a deep-rooted history in mining dating back 150 years to the Comstock Lode era. The Department of Mining and Metallurgical Engineering part of the Mackay School of Earth Sciences and Engineering has played a central role in the universitys success and Nevadas economic development. The state historically known for its gold and silver production is now a critical player in the sustainable resource sector boasting seven of the largest lithium deposits in the United States. This positions UNR and the Mackay School at the forefront of modern mining contributing to the nations transition toward a sustainable lithium-powered future. The department remains a hub for students and professionals seeking to advance their careers while shaping the future of responsible resource development. See here for more information: Information

Search Committee Chair: Dr. Behrooz Abbasi at

Administrative Contact: Beth Jacobsen at ;

Please note once you submit your application the only attachment/s viewable to you will be the attachment/s to the resume/CV section of the application. Any additional required attachment/s to the cover letter references additional documents sections of the application will not be viewable to you after you submit your application. All uploaded attachment/s will be on the application for the committee to review. To request updates to attachments prior to the committee review of applications please contact the candidate helpdesk at

Attach the following attachments to your application

1) Resume/CV containing a complete list of publications

2) Cover Letter detailing qualifications and interest in the position

3) Statement of teaching philosophy (up to 3 pages maximum)

4) Statement of research interests and future plans (up to 5 pages maximum)

5) Names and contact Information for at least three professional references

Full Consideration

For full consideration applications must be received by October 15 2026.

Posting Close Time

This posting will close at 12:00 am on the date listed below. The posting will no longer be available to apply to after 11:59 pm the day prior.

A background check will be conducted on the candidate(s) selected for hire.

HR will attempt to verify academic credentials upon receipt of hiring documents. If the academic credentials cannot be verified HR will notify the faculty member that an official transcript of their highest degree must be submitted within thirty days of the faculty members first day of employment.

References will be contacted at the appropriate phase of the recruitment process.

Applicants hired on a federal contract may be subject to E-Verify.

As part of the hiring process applicants for positions in the Nevada System of Higher Education may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform job-related tasks.

For positions that require driving evidence of a valid drivers license will be required at the time of employment and as a condition of continued employment.

Schedules are subject to change based on organizational needs.

The University of Nevada Reno is committed to providing a place of work and learning free of discrimination on the basis of a persons age (40 or older) disability whether actual or perceived by others (including service-connected disabilities) gender (including pregnancy related conditions) military status or military obligations sexual orientation gender identity or expression genetic information national origin race (including hair texture and protected hairstyles such as natural hairstyles afros bantu knots curls braids locks and twists) color or religion (protected classes).

About Us

The University of Nevada Reno is a leading public research university committed to the promise of a future powered by knowledge. Founded in 1874 as Nevadas original land-grant university the University serves more than 23000 undergraduate and graduate students from all 50 states and 63 countries.

Classified by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education as an R1 (Very High Research) university it is also recognized in the Carnegie Community Engagement classification. The University is also ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the Best National Universities and Best National Public Universities. It also ranks in the top tier of the WSJ/Times Higher Education World University Rankings and the New York Times Top Colleges for Economic Diversity.

Since 2009 nearly $1 billion has been has invested in advanced labs facilities and residence halls on the main campus. The University is home to Nevadas first medical school the University of Nevada Reno School of Medicine and the Wayne L. Prim Campus at Lake Tahoe where education research and creative work thrive in a stunning mountain setting. The University delivers on its original land-grant mission with outreach across the state through the University of Nevada Reno Extension Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology Nevada Small Business Development Center the Nevada Seismological Laboratory and Wolf Pack Athletics.

The main campus is in Reno Nevada a burgeoning global technology hub with a vibrant midtown and downtown. Found where the high desert of the Great Basin meets the High Sierra and Lake Tahoe the beautiful 290-acre main campus is also a Nevada State Arboretum. The Universitys physical infrastructure is expanding with ongoing construction of the newly named John Tullock Business Building set to open in fall 2025. Groundbreaking is also planned for a new State Public Health Laboratory Building on campus alongside the recent acquisition of 16 parcels near campus known as University Village to provide affordable housing for graduate students and early career faculty.

Collaborating with world-renowned organizations the University fosters innovation through initiatives such as the Digital Wolf Pack partnership with Apple which ensures equitable access to technology for students providing new incoming freshman or transfer students with an iPad Air and accessories. Googles TechWise initiate is an 18-month program that fully supports undergraduate students in becoming entry-level software engineers by graduation.

In 2023 the U.S. Department of Commerces Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced that Nevada led by the University of Nevada Reno was named one of the inaugural 31 RegionalTechnology and InnovationHubs (TechHubs).Nevada was selected from a competitive pool of 489 applicants from across the United States and its Tech Hub will strengthen Americas lithium batteries critical elements and other electric vehicle materials industry sectors within the state.

Through its commitment to high-impact education world-improving research and creative activity and outreach thats transforming Nevadas communities and businesses the University continues its 150-year tradition of benefitting our state nation and world.

The University recognizes that diversity promotes excellence in education and research. The inclusive and engaged community on campus recognizes the added value that students faculty and staff from different backgrounds bring to the educational experience.

Today the University delivers on its original land-grant mission of access to education and knowledge by investing in the academics facilities support engagement and vibrant campus life that promote our diverse students cognitive growth and academic achievement all while remaining one of the best values in American higher education.

For more information please visitthe Universitys website.