Job Details

Post-Doctoral Fellow, NIST PREP and Mines, Computer Science

Position Number: 7058840
Location: Golden, CO
Position Type: Science - Computer Science

Post-Doctoral Fellow, NIST PREP and Mines, Computer Science

Posting Number: JR108334
Location: Colorado

Engineering a world of possibilities
NIST Post-Doctoral Fellow - Indoor Localization, Tracking, and Navigation with NIST's Adv. Communication research group

Research Title:

Postdoctoral scholar / PREP0004274 / Indoor Localization, Tracking, and Navigation

Mines Advisor: Qi Han in Computer Science and NIST Sponsor Name: Scott Ledgerwood in Advanced Communications Group.

Requested Start Date: 2026-07-01
The position is not eligible for visa sponsorship now or in the future.

Research Location:

In Boulder, CO at the NIST campus with the Advanced Communications Research Group in the Communication Technology Lab and in Golden, CO on the campus of Colorado School of Mines.

Key responsibilities will include, but are not limited to:

Foster relationships with a diverse set of public safety stakeholders and execute/document case studies related to indoor mapping tracking and navigation
Collect data using a mobile lidar scanning system, process the acquired data
Conduct research related to the accuracy of indoor mapping technologies including mapping done by Augmented Reality systems
Conduct research related to the accuracy of indoor localization system and support research related to novel algorithms for indoor localization
Utilize an OptiTrack motion capture system to test infrastructure free indoor localization systems; develop software in support of this system
Utilize a total station theodolite to conduct measurements related to ground truth measurements and georeferencing of motion capture systems
Work with the PSCR Lab Operations team to coordinate and document the deployment of hardware and software capabilities required to support the team's R&D activities
Publishing results of research to relevant conferences and journals
Other hardware/software tasks as required.
Work independently and as part of a diverse team of researchers and support team members to meet the mission goals of the Public Safety Communications Research Division at NIST.

Qualifications

PhD in Engineering, or a related field
Knowledge of localization and tracking systems
Advance knowledge and skill in applying theories, principles, and methods of a technical professional field (in science, engineering, information technology, or mathematics) and of a specialty within that field.
Ability to define problems, perform background research, develop, and execute a project plan, organize, and evaluate results, and prepare reports of findings.
Ability to consider precedents and use judgment to research, select, interpret, modify, adapt, and apply available guidelines to specific problems or issues.
Ability to present ideas and results in a clear, compelling, and persuasive manner.
Ability to develop research proposals.
Ability to work with the Institutional Review Board, the Research Protections Office, and other parties to ensure that any research involving human subjects is conducted ethically and effectively.
Ability to operate a Total Station for collecting survey measurements
Familiarity with geodetic datums and coordinate transformations
Experience with experimental design and statistical analysis including uncertainty quantification
Experience with mobile mapping solutions such as mobile lidar scanning systems
Proficiency with MATLAB and Motive. Experience with GIS software and Python preferred

Total Rewards:

$81,000 annual salary rate

Mines takes into consideration a combination of candidate's education, training and experience as well as the position'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.

Colorado School of Mines offers a robust portfolio of benefits for all employees. For this role, that includes:

Flexible health and dental care options
Generous sick/vacation time: 13 paid holidays per year - including a week-long winter break for entire campus.
Fully vested retirement plan on first day of employment, with generous employer contribution (you will receive 12% from Mines in a MDCP averaging $8,640 a year)
Tuition benefits (6 credits per year for employees, 50 percent discount for dependents)
Free RTD Ecopass for regional bus and light rail transportation

All Mines employees also have access to discount programs through the State of Colorado and free tickets for Mines Athletics home games, as well as access to the state of the art Recreation Center (fitness classes and training, swimming pool and more) and equipment rentals through the Outdoor Rec Center. We are proud to have recently opened an on campus daycare center. For more details about benefits at Mines, visit mines.edu/human-resources/benefits.

How to Apply:

Review of applications will be ongoing and continue until filled. Applicants must complete an online application (personal information, demographic information, veteran status) and upload the following:

CV including publication list
Letter of interest with description of qualifications
Contact information for three references

Applicants will notice on the application form, there is only one location to upload all required materials. Further, once submitted, the applicant will not be able to edit their application. Applicants may submit their application as one combined document or as separate documents. Successful completion of a background investigation is required for this position. This posting may be used to fill multiple openings. Contact Kathleen Feighny in HR with any questions at kfeighny@mines.edu. We appreciate your interest in Mines!

About Mines & Golden, CO

When the world looks for answers, the world looks to Mines.

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' 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).

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.

At the same time, Mines faculty members are pushing their fields in new directions, whether that's manufacturing, space resources, quantum engineering, carbon capture or more. Mines was recently classified as a R1 "Very High Activity" research institution by Carnegie, a notable feat for any university but particularly one of our size.

Are you looking for an inspiring, mission-driven workplace where you can contribute to solving the world's problems and educating the next generation of change makers? Are you an individual who values a diverse community, where our different perspectives, experiences and cultures enrich the educational and work experience?

Look to Mines.

Purpose: The National Institute for Standards and Technology (NIST) hosts the Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) which is designed to provide valuable laboratory experience and financial assistance to undergraduates, post-bachelor's degree holders, graduate students, master's degree holders, postdocs, and faculty.

PREP is a 5-year cooperative agreement between NIST laboratories and participating PREP Universities to establish a collaborative research relationship between NIST and U.S. institutions of higher education in the following disciplines including (but may not be limited to) biochemistry, biological sciences, chemistry, computer science, engineering, electronics, materials science, mathematics, nanoscale science, neutron science, physical science, physics, and statistics. This collection of information is needed to facilitate administrative functions of the PREP Program.

This position is part of the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) Professional Research Experience Program (PREP). NIST recognizes that its research staff may want to collaborate with researchers at academic institutions on specific projects of mutual interest and, therefore, requires those institutions to be recipients of a PREP award. The PREP program involves staff from a wide range of backgrounds conducting scientific research across various fields. Individuals in this position will perform technical work supporting the collaboration's scientific research.

As an engineer/developer, the selected applicant will be part of a team of engineers and researchers conducting research and development (R&D) activities focused on accelerating the development of indoor mapping, tracking, and navigation capabilities for first responders.

The Professional Research Experience Program (PREP) is a cooperative partnership between the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and Colorado School of Mines (Mines). Through PREP, Mines undergraduate and graduate students-as well as researchers holding a Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD-have the opportunity to conduct cutting-edge research in NIST laboratories while working closely with both NIST scientists and a Mines faculty advisor. This dual mentorship ensures participants gain not only hands-on technical expertise but also guidance in connecting their NIST research to Mines' academic and professional pathways. All hires made through the NIST PREP program at Mines are employed by Colorado School of Mines.

Additional Information and Reasonable Accommodation Requests
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.

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 hr@mines.edu or 303.273.3250 for assistance.

Successful completion of a background investigation is required for this position.

Equal Opportunity

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.

Mines' commitment to nondiscrimination, equal opportunity and equal access is reflected in the administration of its policies, procedures, programs and activities and in its efforts to achieve a talented student body and workforce.

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 inequality or concerns for safety.

Colorado's premier engineering and applied science university for 150 years and counting

Apply online at https://mines.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Mines_Careers/job/Colorado/Post-Doctoral-Fellow--NIST-PREP-and-Mines_JR108334-1