Job Details

Research Associate

Position Number: 7025231
Location: Boulder, CO
Position Type: Laboratory and Research

Research Associate

Requisition Number: 70328
Location: Boulder Colorado
Employment Type: Research Faculty
Schedule: Full Time
Posting Close Date: 13-Apr-2026
Date Posted:

Job Summary

The School of Education at the University of Colorado, Boulder invites applications for the position of Research Associate of the Center for Assessment, Design, Research and Evaluation (CADRE). The Research Associate supports the Center's research and evaluation activities by contributing to the design, implementation, management, and dissemination of applied research projects. The position requires close collaboration with faculty, staff, doctoral researchers, and external partners and plays a central role in ensuring that projects are completed on time, aligned with the Center's priorities, and conducted with methodological rigor.

The Research Associate is expected to work in a collaborative, mission-driven environment and contribute to the collective success of the Center's research agenda. The position involves managing multiple projects simultaneously, supporting team-based research efforts, and maintaining clear communication and accountability across project teams.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

Who We Are

The Center for Assessment, Design, Research and Evaluation (CADRE) based in the University of Colorado Boulder's School of Education in the Research & Evaluation Methodology program, serves as a central resource where expertise in evaluation, research and assessment design can be located and engaged. The CADRE team collaborates with university departments, state agencies, districts, schools and other organizations to investigate the effects of programs and interventions on student learning and to improve upon assessment practices and design. Our team consists of core staff members, faculty partners and doctoral researchers. We also collaborate with faculty affiliates.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Participating as a critical member of a project team to engage in a variety of projects (mixed-methods, quantitative, and qualitative) in primarily K-12 settings with some possibility to work on higher education projects.
Providing guidance and mentoring support, as needed, to doctoral students assigned to work on CADRE projects.
Supporting the execution of projects, including taking the lead on assigned work ensuring that project deliverables are met on a timely basis.
Supporting the dissemination of project findings including contributing to internal documents, reports and/or peer-reviewed products (e.g., journals).
Participating as a member of the CADRE/REM community by attending weekly REMinar whenever possible and other project or Center meetings.
Assisting with proposal and/or grant writing on an occasional basis.

What You Should Know

The anticipated start date for this role is July 20th, 2026.
This position offers a hybrid work modality, with 2-3 days in office.
Project work will require occasional travel to engage in field work (e.g., qualitative data collection work).
A background check will be required in accordance with the Boulder Campus Background Check Policy.

What We Can Offer

The annual salary range for this full-time position is $83,000-$90,000.
No relocation assistance is available.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be ambitious. Be inspired. Be Boulder.

What We Require

A Ph.D. in education, social sciences, or a related field is required for this position. Additionally, we are looking for candidates with:

A minimum of two years of prior relevant experience.
Demonstrated experience supporting or conducting applied research and/or evaluation studies.
Demonstrated ability to manage research projects or major project components from planning through completion.
Experience working collaboratively with faculty, staff, and students.
Experience preparing reports, briefs, or contributing to peer-reviewed publications for diverse audiences.
Fluency with a statistical software package, R strongly preferred.
A demonstrated commitment to ethical, equitable, and applied research practices.

What You Will Need

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong project management skills, including the ability to coordinate timelines, manage deliverables, track progress across multiple projects, and ensure consistent follow-through. They will be able to anticipate challenges, adjust plans as needed, and maintain alignment with the Center's goals and commitments. More specifically, this person will have:

Strong knowledge of applied research and evaluation methods, including mixed-methods approaches.
Ability to support the design and implementation of research and evaluation plans.
Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to translate research findings for academic and non-academic audiences.
Ability to work effectively in a collaborative, team-based research environment that prioritizes shared goals and accountability.
Commitment to ethical, equitable, and mission-aligned research practices.
Willingness to work in a hybrid office environment (e.g., reporting to the office 2-3 times a week) and to participate as a member of the REM program community by attending weekly seminars whenever possible.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

Resume/CV
Cover Letter
Optional: Transcripts/Proof of Degree

If you are selected as the finalist, your degree will be verified by the CU Boulder Campus Human Resources department using an approved online vendor. If your degree was obtained outside of the United States, please submit a translated version (if applicable) as an optional attachment.

We may request reference information at a later time as the search progresses.

Please apply by April 13th, 2026 for consideration.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs.

In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

To apply, visit https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/Research-Associate/70328