Qureos Mentor

COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES

<div><div>Engineering a world of possibilities</div>
Post Doctoral Fellow<div><br>
We welcome applications to join us as a Post Doctoral Fellow In the Kumar Biomaterials Lab at the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at the Colorado School of Mines.</div><div></div><div>
About The Lab<br>
The Kumar biomaterials lab at the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering at Colorado School of Mines (Mines) is seeking a highly driven postdoctoral research associate. We are looking for someone with a strong track record of excellence in research and mentorship to work on an NIGMS funded project. The candidate will synthesize cell culture substrates based on ligand-modified polymer brushes and mapping how spatial presentation of biochemical cues influences macrophage fate. The successful candidate will have the chance to work in a young, dynamic, collaborative lab in a supportive environment that nurtures trainees&rsquo; scientific potential and promotes excellence and team science.</div><div></div><div>
Trainees have won 21 awards (including nationally competitive scholarships such as NSF GRFP, Goldwater, Beckman, and Amgen) in the last 3 years. The PI is fully committed to helping postdocs fulfill their career goals in academia and obtain independent faculty positions at the end of their training. Her first postdoctoral mentee has been highly successful and will be starting his own lab in India. We welcome trainees from all non-traditional backgrounds. We are proud of a culture where everyone, irrespective of gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, caste, national origin, religious affiliation, and socioeconomic status, can thrive and grow.</div><div></div><div>
Project Description<br>
Macrophage polarization plays important roles in wound healing, inflammation, and cancer progression. This project uses polymer brushes&mdash;ultra-thin polymer coatings made by grafting polymers from substrates&mdash;to present ligands in controlled spatial patterns and study how macrophages respond to changes in ligand presentation and chemical identity. The postdoc will synthesize polymer brushes functionalized with different glycan-based ligands and interrogate how ligand identity, density, and spatial presentation influence macrophage polarization and phenotypic expression.</div><div></div><div>
Responsibilities and Duties<br>
<ul><li>Synthesize and characterize glycopolymer brushes.</li><li>Surface analytical techniques such as XPS, ellipsometry, and AFM.</li><li>Culture macrophages on cell culture substrates based on polymer brushes.</li><li>Apply ELISA, scRNAseq, advanced imaging methods to characterize macrophage phenotypes.</li><li>Data analysis, maintaining careful lab notebook records, data management.</li><li>Present findings at lab meetings and conferences, prepare manuscripts for publication, prepare</li></ul>
progress reports.<br>
<ul><li>Mentor students and handle lab management tasks (purchasing and expense reports,</li></ul>
maintaining cell culture facility, maintaining flow cytometer).<br>
Minimum qualifications (must have all below)<br>
<ul><li>Strong motivation to spend lots of time in lab and a deep commitment to learning and continually</li></ul>
improving research skills.<br>
<ul><li>Academic craftsmanship (figure making, slide design, academic writing, giving talks/posters).</li></ul></div><div></div><div>
Minimum Qualifications<br>
<ul><li>Ph.D. in Chemistry, Materials Science, Chemical Engineering, Biotechnology, Biomedical</li></ul>
Engineering, Biology, or Polymer Science. The PhD must be earned at a research-intensive<br>
university. Candidates with fewer than 2 years postdoctoral experience are welcome to apply.<br>
<ul><li>Must have a deep expertise in either glycopolymer synthesis or in macrophage biology.</li><li>Must have extensive experience trouble shooting cellular and biological assays.</li><li>Track record of research excellence demonstrated through peer-reviewed publications in top-tier specialist journals (preferably ACS or RSC journals).</li><li>Strong letters indicating candidates&rsquo; ability to ideate research directions independently, work</li></ul>
hard, respond constructively to feedback, and work harmoniously in a diverse team.<br>
<ul><li>Leadership and problem-solving. Must be a go-getter rather than passively await instructions.</li><li>Interpersonal skills and emotional maturity for interdisciplinary work, inter-lab collaboration, and</li></ul>
mentoring undergraduate and graduate students at Mines. Cultural intelligence is a must-have.<br>
<ul><li>Excellent written and oral communication skills and a deep desire to improve these continually.</li></ul></div><div></div><div>
Desired Qualifications (seeking at least 2 of 5 below)<br>
<ul><li>Expertise in macrophage culture, polarization, and characterization.</li><li>Expertise in carbohydrate chemistry, glycomonomers synthesis, glycopolymer synthesis,</li></ul>
bioconjugation, post-polymerization modification.<br>
<ul><li>At least 3 years&rsquo; experience in mammalian cell culture.</li><li>Quantitative confocal fluorescence microscopy.</li><li>Acquiring and analyzing scRNAseq data.</li></ul></div><div></div><div>
Terms of Employment<br>
<ul><li>Initial appointment for 1 year. If performance is satisfactory, will be extended to 3 years total.</li><li>The candidate must commit to staying in the position for at least 2-3 years.</li><li>Start date: Jan 2026</li><li>NIH-budgeted salary and fringe benefits (including Mines-subsidized health care and employer</li></ul>
contributions to a retirement fund)<br>
<ul><li>A small amount may be provided for reasonable moving expenses. This is subject to budget</li></ul>
constraints.</div><div><ul><li><br>
The lab is committed to maintaining research integrity by performing rigorous and reproducible research. Research misconduct will result in immediate investigation and swift termination of employment if found guilty.</li><li>There is zero tolerance for sexual harassment, bullying, and discriminatory behavior. Disrespectful, intimidatory, and aggressive behaviors that threaten the safety and well-being of lab and departmental colleagues will invite immediate investigation and swift termination of employment.</li></ul></div><div><br>
Salary Rate and Benefits</div><div>
$64,000</div><div></div><div>
Mines takes into consideration a combination of candidate&rsquo;s education, training and experience as well as the position&rsquo;s scope and complexity, the discretion and latitude required in the role, work location, and external market and internal value when determining a salary level for potential new employees.</div><ul><li><div>
Colorado School of Mines offers a robust portfolio of benefits for all employees. For this role, that includes:</div></li><li><div>
Flexible health and dental care options</div></li><li><div>
Generous sick/vacation time: 13 paid holidays per year &ndash; including a week-long winter break for entire campus.</div></li><li><div>
Fully vested retirement plan on first day of employment, with generous employer contribution</div></li><li><div>
Tuition benefits (6 credits per year for employees, 50 percent discount for dependents)</div></li><li><div>
Free RTD Ecopass</div></li></ul><div><br>
All Mines employees also have access to <div>discount programs</div> through the State of Colorado and free tickets for Mines <div>Athletics</div> home games, as well as access to the state of the art <div>Recreation Center</div> (fitness classes and training, swimming pool and more) and equipment rentals through the <div>Outdoor Rec Center</div>. We are proud to have recently opened an on <div>campus daycare center</div>. For more details about benefits at Mines, visit <div>mines.edu/human-resources/benefits</div>.</div><div><br>
How to Apply</div><div></div><div>
Applications will be reviewed until the position is filled. Please read carefully - Applications that do not comply with instructions will not be reviewed. Applicants must:</div><ul><li><div>
Complete an online application (personal information, demographic information, veteran status)</div></li><li><div>
Include CV, 1-page cover letter describing why you want this position, three of your best first-author papers, and contact information for three references. Combine in a single application pdf. Do not send word files or any other file type. Do not send multiple pdfs.</div></li><li><div>
References will be contacted only for the finalists. Do NOT include letters of recommendation.</div></li><li><div>
Email application to ramyakumar@mines.edu with the subject &ldquo;MIRA postdoc applicant&rdquo;. If subject does not match this exactly, the email will be filed as junk.</div></li><li><div>
Do NOT include personal photographs or research figures in application.</div></li><li><div>
Do NOT contact the PI (Prof. Ramya Kumar) in any other manner.</div></li><li><div>
After preliminary zoom interviews, 3 finalists will be invited for a final round of interviews.</div></li></ul><div><br>
Contact Kathleen Feighny in HR at kfeighny@mines.edu with any questions.</div><div><br>
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<i>.</i></div><div><br>
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 <div>hr@mines.edu</div> or 303.273.3250 for assistance.</div><div><br>
Successful completion of a background investigation is required for this position. This posting may be used to fill multiple openings.</div><div></div><div>
About Mines &amp; Golden, CO</div><div></div><div>
When the world looks for answers, the world looks to Mines.</div><div></div><div>
Colorado School of Mines is a top-ranked public university solving the grand challenges facing our society, particularly those related to the Earth, energy and the environment. Founded in 1874 with specialties in mining and metallurgy, Mines&rsquo; scope and mission have continually expanded to meet the needs of industry and society. Today, we are the No. 36 public university in the nation, recognized for our innovation and undergraduate teaching in science, technology engineering and math (U.S. News and World Report, 2025).</div><div></div><div>
Mines graduates are change makers, boundary breakers and problem solvers. Since our earliest days, a Mines education has been and continues to be a transformational opportunity, with one of the strongest returns on investment out there for talented STEM students of all backgrounds.</div><div><br>
At the same time, Mines faculty members are pushing their fields in new directions, whether that&rsquo;s manufacturing, space resources, quantum engineering, carbon capture or more. Mines was recently classified as a R1 &ldquo;Very High Activity&rdquo; research institution by Carnegie, a notable feat for any university but particularly one of our size.</div><div></div><div>
That size &ndash; roughly 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students &ndash; also translates to a close-knit campus community, where employees have opportunities to get involved in multiple ways, continued professional learning is valued and everyone can make an impact.</div><div></div><div>
Community Alliance groups bring together employees for professional development, networking, cultural awareness and community involvement, and all Mines employees also have access to the wealth of activities happening every day on campus &ndash; nationally-renowned speakers, special events and Mines traditions like Engineering Days, just to name a few.</div><div></div><div>
And don&rsquo;t get us started on our hometown. We are located in the heart of Golden, Colorado -with its charming historic downtown and nearby hiking trails &ndash; and in close proximity to all that Denver and the Rocky Mountains have to offer. That includes the sunny, high-altitude climate and outstanding outdoor recreation opportunities that make the Denver area an ideal place to live, work and play.</div><div></div><div>
Are you looking for an inspiring, mission-driven workplace where you can contribute to solving the world&rsquo;s problems and educating the next generation of change makers? Are you an individual who values a diverse and inclusive community, where our different perspectives, experiences and cultures enrich the educational and work experience?</div><div></div><div><div>
Look to Mines.</div></div><div></div><div>
Equal Opportunity</div><div></div><div><i>
Colorado School of Mines is committed to equal opportunity for all persons. Mines does not discriminate on the basis of age, sex, gender (including gender identity and gender expression), ancestry, creed, marital status, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, genetic information, veteran status or current military service. Further, Mines does not retaliate against community members for filing complaints regarding or implicating any of these protected statuses.</i></div><div><i><br>
Mines&rsquo; commitment to nondiscrimination, affirmative action, equal opportunity and equal access is reflected in the administration of its policies, procedures, programs and activities and in its efforts to achieve a diverse student body and workforce.</i></div><div><i><br>
Through its policies, procedures and resources, Mines complies with federal law, Colorado state law, administrative regulations, executive orders and other legal requirements to prevent discrimination (including harassment or retaliation) within the Mines campus community and to address potential allegations of inequity or concerns for safety.</i></div><div></div><div><i>
Colorado's premier engineering and applied science university for 150 years and counting</i></div></div>

Post-Doctoral Fellow, Chemical and Biological Engineering

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COLORADO SCHOOL OF MINES

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Post-Doctoral Fellow, Chemical and Biological Engineering