Announcement of Faculty Positions

University of Kentucky

The Department of Mining Engineering at the University of Kentucky invites nominations and applications for a tenure-track faculty position at the rank of assistant or associate professor. Candidates for the position must hold a Ph.D. degree in mining engineering, or a closely related field, and must be committed to excellence in the areas of teaching, research, and service. In addition to these qualities, preference will be given to candidates who have experience in the mining industry and have obtained professional licensure.

The University of Kentucky, located in the heart of Kentucky's scenic Bluegrass region, is home to more than 30,000 students and 14,000 employees. As a land-grant university for the commonwealth, the mission of the University of Kentucky is to provide excellent education, conduct outstanding research, and perform service in an academic environment in a manner that ensures the professional success of our students, meets the needs of our constituents, and responds to the technological challenges of the commonwealth.

The Department of Mining Engineering is one of the larger mineral-related programs in North America. The department consists of seven faculty members who have diverse specialties that cover a wide range of the mining engineering discipline.

Responsibilities of the successful applicant will include teaching and student advising at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The selected candidate will also be expected to develop a sustainable research program that attracts external research funding and addresses the needs of the mining industry. The position is open to all the specialty areas of mining and geological engineering, including contemporary issues in mining, such as reclamation, health and safety, and mine operations.

Applicants should submit the following: 1) cover letter, 2) curriculum vitae, 3) a teaching statement (upload as specific request 1), and 4) a research statement (upload as specific request 2) .

Applications submitted by January 31st, 2023 will receive full consideration. However, the position will remain open until filled.

To apply, go to https://ukjobs.uky.edu/ and click on Search Jobs and enter requisition #FE03259 or use this link https://ukjobs.uky.edu/postings/429723

Virginia Tech

The Department of Mining and Minerals Engineering (MME) at Virginia Tech seeks applications and nominations from talented and motivated individuals for the position of Department Head. The Head oversees MME’s academic programs, which currently serve approximately 125 undergraduate (sophomore to senior) and graduate (PhD, MS, MEng) students. The Head is responsible for management of fiscal and human resources, including 9 tenured and tenure-track faculty and numerous research, teaching and administrative faculty and staff. The Head also acts as MME’s advocate and liaison to college and university administration, as well as to external stakeholders.

MME is one of the largest and most prominent mining-related programs in North America. It currently enjoys a reputation as a global leader in the field, with a stated mission to serve society through education and innovation that supports safe, efficient, and environmentally responsible production of energy and mineral resources. MME has world-class facilities in Holden Hall, which just underwent a complete renovation/rebuild to update 20,000 sqft in the 1940s-era original structure and add over 80,000 sqft of cutting edge research, teaching and advising space. The Department is home to two renowned and highly productive research centers (the Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research, and the Center for Advanced Separation Technologies), and the faculty include globally recognized experts in mineral processing, geoenergy, and mine health and safety. The diverse research portfolio includes federal, state and privately funded projects, with annual expenditures averaging about $6,000,000 in the past eight years and a notable focus on capacity building and graduate student education. At the undergraduate level, MME’s contemporary curriculum is designed to shape future leaders who have exceptional technical capabilities as well the soft skills needed for a productive and impactful career. MME is a three-time recipient of the University Exemplary Department award, most recently in 2021 for its focus on community and student well-being. Graduates are highly sought after with placement rates consistently near 100%.

To further build its programs and infrastructure, MME is seeking a leader who will work internally to support faculty, staff and students, while also engaging a wide range of external stakeholders including alumni, industry and private partners, and research sponsors. The successful candidate should have a track record of effective leadership and demonstrated abilities that support the development and execution of strategic initiatives. This individual should also possess the interpersonal, organization, and decision-making skills needed for executive management. Moreover, a commitment to diversity, equity and inclusivity is essential. While predominantly an administrative and leadership position, the MME Department Head is also expected to contribute to the teaching, research, and service activities of the department.

Virginia Tech is a public land-grant university, committed to teaching and learning, research, and outreach to the Commonwealth of Virginia, the nation, and the world. Building on its motto of Ut Prosim (that I may serve), Virginia Tech is dedicated to InclusiveVT—serving in the spirit of community, diversity, and excellence. Virginia Tech actively seeks a broad spectrum of candidates to join our community in preparing leaders for the world. The College of Engineering undergraduate program ranks 16th, and the graduate program ranks 31st among all U.S. engineering schools (USN&WR). The mission of the College of Engineering is to educate and inspire our students to be critical thinkers, innovators and leaders. Our core values are inclusiveness, excellence, integrity, perseverance, and stewardship. Virginia Tech’s main campus is located in Blacksburg, VA, in an area consistently ranked among the country’s best places to live. In addition, our facilities in the Washington, D.C., area offer unique proximity to government and industry partners and are also expanding rapidly, with Virginia Tech's exciting new Innovation Campus in Alexandria, VA, slated to open in 2024.

MME is housed within Virginia Tech’s nationally ranked College of Engineering, and operates from the main campus in Blacksburg, VA. Blacksburg is a high-tech hub located in a scenic and vibrant community in the New River Valley between the Alleghany and Blue Ridge Mountains. The town is consistently ranked among the country’s best places to live and raise a family.

The department fully embraces Virginia Tech’s Commitment to increase faculty, staff, and student diversity; to ensure a welcoming, affirming, safe and accessible campus climate; to advance our research, teaching, and service mission through inclusive excellence; and to promote sustainable transformation through institutionalized structures. Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or veteran status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

Required Qualifications

Candidates must hold a Doctoral degree in engineering or applied science that is substantially related to the field of mining and minerals engineering. Candidates from other engineering or applied science disciplines (e.g., civil, environmental, materials, mechanical, geoscience, etc.) with specific experience related to mining and minerals engineering are strongly encouraged to apply. The successful candidate must have academic credentials commensurate with appointment at rank of Professor with tenure in the Mining and Minerals Engineering department. An endowed professorship may be available for well-qualified individuals.

Preferred Qualifications

Demonstrated effectiveness in administrative leadership and financial management in an academic setting are preferred, along with a track-record of excellent teaching or advising students at the undergraduate and graduate level. A professional engineering (PE) license and strong ties to partners in the mining, minerals or related industry sectors are also desirable.

Additional Information

Candidates who wish to be considered for this position should apply online at www.jobs.vt.edu and must submit: cover letter expressing interest in this critical leadership position and vision for MME; full curriculum vitae; a statement on contributions to advancing diversity, equity and inclusion; and contact information for at least three references who can discuss the applicant’s leadership, communication, and decision-making style. Questions for the search committee should be directed to Emily Sarver (esarver@vt.edu) or Annie Lawrence (annie.lawrence@vt.edu). Review of applications will begin on December 1 2022, and will continue until the position is filled.

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

WITS

Position for a lecturer in Mining Methods at Wits. The vacancies website and can be accessed via https://www.wits.ac.za/vacancies/ as applications must be made online. The closing date for applications is 18 November 2022.

Announcement of PhD Positions

Lulea University of Technology

There is a new PhD position available at our University. Candidates can apply through https://www.ltu.se/ltu/Lediga-jobb/Lediga-jobb-1.107417?l=en

and then choose PhD student in Digital Mining – Automation and development of new technologies in mining engineering.