Location: El Paso, TX
Category: Engineering
Job Type: Full-time
Posted On: Wed Dec 17 2025
Job Description:
The Department of Metallurgical, Materials, and Biomedical Engineering (MMBME) at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) invites applications for two full-time, tenure-track faculty positions at the rank of Assistant or Associate Professor to support the relaunch of the Mining Engineering program. Competitive salaries will be offered and will be commensurate with qualifications, experience, and rank.
MINING ENGINEERING PROGRAM RESTART
To address the national shortage of mining engineering professionals amid the growing strategic importance of domestic mineral production and supply-chain security, the University of Texas System Board of Regents has committed $20 million to restart the Mining Engineering program at The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP). In addition, the Texas State Legislature has allocated $20 million to support the infrastructure and facilities required for high-quality mining engineering education, supplemented by multiple significant contributions from industry partners.
The relaunched program builds upon UTEP's deep mining heritage and regional legacy. Founded in 1914 as the State School of Mines and Metallurgy, the institution joined the University of Texas System in 1919 as the Texas College of Mines and Metallurgy and awarded degrees in Mining Engineering until 1966. Today, Texas leads the nation in non-fuel mineral production (USGS Mineral Commodity Summary, 2024), and UTEP will offer the only undergraduate Mining Engineering program in the state. The program is being reestablished with strong and sustained industry engagement, positioning it to become a world-class, modern mining engineering program that serves both regional and national workforce needs.
POSITIONS OVERVIEW
Candidates for these Mining Engineering faculty positions may come from any area of mining engineering, including but not limited to Mine Planning and Design, Geomechanics, Mineral Processing and Extractive Metallurgy, Rock Fragmentation and Blasting, Mining Ventilation, Mine Automation, Health and Safety, Digital Mining Systems, and closely related fields. The department particularly encourages applications from candidates whose expertise emphasizes emerging technologies, data-driven approaches, sustainability, and modern mining systems. Demonstrated research and scholarly publication experience, along with meaningful industry experience, are highly valued, as they will strengthen the program's research profile, instructional relevance, and industry alignment. These positions present unique opportunities to develop a contemporary mining engineering program with state-of-the-art instructional and research laboratories, backed by strong industry partnerships and focused on workforce development, innovation, and societal impact.
The key responsibilities and/or capabilities of these faculty members are:
1.1 Teaching
- Develop and teach undergraduate and graduate courses in Mining Engineering, aligned with the candidate's area of expertise and department needs.
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Integrate emerging and modern technologies into instruction, including automation, data analytics, artificial intelligence, and advanced modeling and simulation tools.
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Mentor and advise undergraduate and graduate students, including supervision of undergraduate research and design projects, master's theses, and doctoral dissertations.
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Contribute to curriculum development and modernization, including incorporation of best practices in safety, sustainability, and innovation, and support accreditation and continuous improvement efforts.
1.2 Research
- Establish and sustain a strong, externally funded research program that addresses critical challenges in mining and mineral resources engineering, with an emphasis on emerging technologies and intelligent, data-driven approaches.
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Secure competitive research funding and disseminate research outcomes through high-impact, peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations, graduate student training and completion, and meaningful industry engagement.
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Preferred research areas include, but are not limited to:
- Geomechanics and Advanced Rock Mechanics: Rock characterization, numerical modeling, ground control, and geotechnical risk management for deep underground and surface mining operations.
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Advanced Mineral Processing and Extractive Technologies: Comminution, separation processes, hydro/pyrometallurgy, and advanced recovery of critical minerals from primary or non-conventional resources.
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Smart and Digital Mining Systems: Digital twins, mine automation, robotics, autonomous equipment, and advanced monitoring, sensing, and control systems, including image processing, particle analysis, machine learning, and big-data analytics for mine and plant optimization.
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Sustainability, Safety, and Mining Environment: Mine safety and health technologies, advanced ventilation systems, emissions control, environmental monitoring, and exposure health studies.
1.3 Service
- Serve on departmental, college, and university committees, contributing to shared governance and academic leadership.
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Support departmental and institutional strategic initiatives, including program development, ABET accreditation, student recruitment, and outreach activities.
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Engage actively with industry partners and advisory boards to strengthen research relevance, enhance opportunities for students, and align educational outcomes with industry needs.
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Participate in professional societies such as the Society for Mining, Metallurgy & Exploration (SME) and other relevant organizations.
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Contribute to the broader scholarly community through editorial service, peer review, conference organization, and professional leadership activities.
Prior to welcoming the first cohort of students, the successful candidates will contribute to the foundational work required to reestablish a forward-looking mining engineering program. Responsibilities will include supporting the establishment of instructional and research laboratories by identifying equipment needs, developing laboratory experiments, and planning future upgrades. The role will also involve developing new courses, aligning course content with industry needs and ABET expectations, preparing research proposals, and recruiting and advising graduate students. Additional duties include supporting strategic student recruitment efforts and representing the program at professional, industry, and outreach events. Following the launch of the undergraduate program, the position will transition into a combined teaching, research, and service role, consistent with tenure-track faculty expectations.
Job Requirements:
The ideal candidate must hold a Ph.D. in Mining Engineering or a closely related field from an accredited institution. A strong record of peer-reviewed scholarly publications and demonstrated success in securing externally funded research support are highly preferred. The candidate should have proven experience in interdisciplinary collaboration and in developing productive industry partnerships. Prior teaching experience in mining engineering or closely related disciplines is highly desirable and professional experience in the mining industry and Professional Engineer (PE) licensure is strongly valued as an asset.
Additional Information:
In keeping with its access, excellence, and impact mission, The University of Texas at El Paso is committed to an open, diverse, and inclusive learning and working environment that honors the talents, respects the differences, and nurtures the growth and development of all. We seek to attract faculty and staff who share our commitment.
The University of Texas at El Paso is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or sexual orientation and gender in employment or the provision of services in accordance with state and federal law. Discrimination on the basis of sex includes an employee's or prospective employee's right to be free from sexual harassment under Title IX of the Higher Education Amendments of 1972. Inquiries-including the filing of a Formal Complaint or reporting an incident-about the application of Title IX may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, who can be reached by phone at (915) 747-8358, by email at [email protected], or by mail at 500 W. University Ave., El Paso, TX, Kelly Hall, Room 312.
For accommodation information for employees and applicants with disabilities, please contact UTEP's Equal Opportunity Office at [email protected].
To the extent that this position involves research, work, or access to critical infrastructure as referenced in Executive Order GA-48, being hired for and continuing to be employed in this position requires the ability to maintain the security or integrity of the infrastructure.
