Physics
The Department of Physics at Colorado School of Mines is dedicated to high-quality physics education for undergraduate and graduate students and advancing the world’s knowledge in the areas of condensed matter physics, optical physics, quantum physics, renewable energy physics, and subatomic physics.
Education and Research
Our faculty and students at all levels conduct more than $6 million in externally funded research every year, with many projects associated with Mines’ pioneering research centers.
Research centers with strong connections to Physics include the Mines/NREL Nexus, CyberInfrastructure and Advanced Research Computing (CIARC), the Microintegrated Optics for Advanced Bioimaging and Control Center (MOABC), and the Nuclear Science and Engineering Center (NuSEC).
Our faculty are consistently recognized for both their research and their teaching, while our graduate and undergraduate students are often the recipients of awards and grants.
Physics is also heavily involved with Mines’ interdisciplinary graduate programs in Materials Science, Nuclear Engineering, and Quantum Engineering.
Watch the following video to learn more about the varied and exciting physics research taking place at Mines.
Announcements
Announcements
Congratulations to Patrice Genevet, professor of physics at Colorado School of Mines, for being elected an Optica Fellow!
Dr. Genevet was honored in the 2026 class of fellows for “advancing photonics with transformative metasurface innovations leading to breakthroughs in imaging, holography, and nanoscale light manipulation.” If you’re wondering what this means, Dr. Genevet clarified, “my research focuses on developing new ultra-thin optical materials that can shape and control light in novel ways, enabling clearer images and enhanced holograms.”
Optica’s Fellow election process is highly competitive with Fellows selected based on their outstanding contributions to research, business, education, engineering, and/or service to Optica and the community.
Read more: https://www.optica.org/about/newsroom/news_releases/2025/optica_announces_2026_fellows_class/
Congratulations to Patrice Genevet, professor of physics at Colorado School of Mines, for being elected an Optica Fellow!
Dr. Genevet was honored in the 2026 class of fellows for “advancing photonics with transformative metasurface innovations leading to breakthroughs in imaging, holography, and nanoscale light manipulation.” If you’re wondering what this means, Dr. Genevet clarified, “my research focuses on developing new ultra-thin optical materials that can shape and control light in novel ways, enabling clearer images and enhanced holograms.”
Optica’s Fellow election process is highly competitive with Fellows selected based on their outstanding contributions to research, business, education, engineering, and/or service to Optica and the community.
Read more: https://www.optica.org/about/newsroom/news_releases/2025/optica_announces_2026_fellows_class/
Recent News
We are hiring!
The Colorado School of Mines, a public R1 research university focused on applied science and engineering, is excited to announce three faculty positions in Quantum Science and Engineering. These hires, one each in the departments of Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, and Physics, will expand our research in quantum information science, support the launch of a new Bachelor of Science program in Quantum Systems Engineering, and strengthen our existing Master of Science in Quantum Engineering, one of the oldest in the nation. The candidate needs to apply separately to each position for which they feel qualified.
- Tenure-Track Faculty Position in Quantum Computing, Deparment of Computer Science
- Tenure-Track Faculty Position in Quantum Devices, Department of Electrical Engineering
- Tenure-Track Faculty Position in Experimental Quantum Physics, Department of Physics
Colorado School of Mines – Assistant Professor, Experimental Quantum Physics: As part of a cluster hire of three faculty in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Physics, the Department of Physics seeks applicants in broad areas of experimental quantum science, including quantum computing (materials, devices, architectures), quantum sensing (devices for quantum-enhanced detection, real world applications), and quantum materials (topological, correlated, superconducting). Candidates are expected to develop an externally funded research program and teach and mentor students at all levels. Mines is home to one of the nation’s first MS programs in Quantum Engineering, the new Quantum COmmons hub, CURIE at the Edgar Experimental Mine, and is a key partner in the Elevate Quantum consortium. In addition to strengthening our leadership in quantum information science and engineering, the successful candidate will have opportunities to engage in the creation of our new BS program in quantum systems engineering, the first of its kind in the US. Apply with a cover letter (2 pages), CV, research (4 pages) and teaching (2 pages) statements, and contact information for three references. Review begins Dec. 1, 2025 and continues until filled. Apply at –
https://mines.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Mines_Careers/details/Tenure-Track-Faculty-Position-in-Experimental-Quantum-Physics_JR107518-1.
We are hiring!
The Colorado School of Mines, a public R1 research university focused on applied science and engineering, is excited to announce three faculty positions in Quantum Science and Engineering. These hires, one each in the departments of Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, and Physics, will expand our research in quantum information science, support the launch of a new Bachelor of Science program in Quantum Systems Engineering, and strengthen our existing Master of Science in Quantum Engineering, one of the oldest in the nation. The candidate needs to apply separately to each position for which they feel qualified.
- Tenure-Track Faculty Position in Quantum Computing, Deparment of Computer Science
- Tenure-Track Faculty Position in Quantum Devices, Department of Electrical Engineering
- Tenure-Track Faculty Position in Experimental Quantum Physics, Department of Physics
Colorado School of Mines – Assistant Professor, Experimental Quantum Physics: As part of a cluster hire of three faculty in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering and Physics, the Department of Physics seeks applicants in broad areas of experimental quantum science, including quantum computing (materials, devices, architectures), quantum sensing (devices for quantum-enhanced detection, real world applications), and quantum materials (topological, correlated, superconducting). Candidates are expected to develop an externally funded research program and teach and mentor students at all levels. Mines is home to one of the nation’s first MS programs in Quantum Engineering, the new Quantum COmmons hub, CURIE at the Edgar Experimental Mine, and is a key partner in the Elevate Quantum consortium. In addition to strengthening our leadership in quantum information science and engineering, the successful candidate will have opportunities to engage in the creation of our new BS program in quantum systems engineering, the first of its kind in the US. Apply with a cover letter (2 pages), CV, research (4 pages) and teaching (2 pages) statements, and contact information for three references. Review begins Dec. 1, 2025 and continues until filled. Apply at –
https://mines.wd1.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/Mines_Careers/details/Tenure-Track-Faculty-Position-in-Experimental-Quantum-Physics_JR107518-1.
#1 Best Colleges for Engineering Physics / Applied Physics
Colorado School of Mines
1500 Illinois St., Golden, CO 80401
303-273-3000 / 800-446-9488
Financial Aid
Graduate Admissions
Undergraduate Admissions
888-446-9489