Senior Research Associate

Apply now Job no: 498409
Work type: Staff Part-Time
Location: Denver, CO
Categories: Research
Division: Morgridge College of Education

Position Summary

The Marsico Institute for Early Learning is seeking a Senior Research Associate to take the lead in managing key components of several grants and contracts, with an emphasis on developing and providing professional development on and leading data collection efforts, as well as creating resources supporting STEM learning in early childhood. This role encompasses fostering a supportive learning environment and empowering assessors and research assistants to excel in their roles. The Senior Research Associate will be responsible for helping to set the vision, strategy, and execution of the data collection training and certification programs.  

In addition to this, the Senior Research Associate will oversee the implementation of various research studies, which includes training on and supervising classroom observations and child assessments; managing the process of data cleaning, entry, and coding; ensuring inter-rater reliability; conducting and supporting data analyses; and leading the creation of written works, instructional guides, presentations, and progress reports. Reporting directly to the Associate Director and Executive Director for each grant and contract they manage, the Senior Research Associate will be a key figure in advancing the institute's research agenda.  

This is a non-benefited position not to exceed 1,000 hours in a calendar year. 

Employment is grant-funded and expected to end on June 30, 2026, with continuation contingent upon available funding and performance.

Essential Functions

Research and Evaluation, Data Collection, and Statistical Analyses

  • Oversee and assess data collection at partner sites via in-person and virtual observations and regular meetings with data collection staff.  

  • Participate in on-site and virtual data collection efforts for ongoing and future research and evaluation projects.  

  • Engage in comprehensive reviews of literature and best practices in early inclusion and STEM education.  

  • Support the design and execution of research methodologies that align with study objectives.

Content Creation, Technical Assistance, and Professional Development 

  • Support the planning and conducting of in-person and virtual professional development workshops for early childhood assessors/observers and teachers.  

  • Support the continued refinement of the Classroom Observation of Early Math – Environment and Teaching (COEMET) and the Research-based Mathematics Assessment (REMA), including mobile and website applications, professional development, and certification efforts.  

  • Support the development and refinement of instructional guides and other resources that embody best practices in early inclusion and STEM   

  • Support the management of online educational content implementing inclusive STEM education practices.  

  • Attend and contribute to meetings with community partners and stakeholders.

Project Management

  • Create protocols and manage data collection for ongoing and future research projects, including classroom observations, teacher surveys, coaching data, and child assessments in core early childhood domains.   

  • Support Research Assistants and other student workers to ensure that data is properly cleaned, entered, and coded for subsequent analysis.  

  • Manage data collection tasks and deadlines for project support staff and consultants, providing necessary guidance and direction.  

Writing and Dissemination

  • Co-author academic papers and assist in developing materials for grant proposals.  

  • Participate in conferences and contribute to the development of outreach materials, such as newsletters and infographics.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

  • Proficient in supporting research studies in early childhood special education, STEM, and inclusion, including data collection, entry and analyses, and report writing. 
  • Demonstrated project management skills and adherence to deadlines, particularly in environments with complex task arrangements. 
  • Experienced in building and maintaining relationships with educational and community stakeholders. 
  • Able to assist in the development and distribution of educational materials. 
  • Well-versed in using modern educational technology and research tools. 
  • Strong ability to communicate effectively across various platforms and with diverse audiences. 
  • Capable of working independently and leading a team effectively, ensuring that tasks are completed on time and objectives are met. 
  • Eager to learn and adapt to new challenges in the fields of STEM education and inclusion.  
  • Ability to use independent discretion and judgement beyond daily routine decisions including comparing and evaluating possible courses of conduct or decision making on matters of significance. 
  • Extensive experience in early childhood data collection measures and methods.

Required Qualifications

  • PhD in a relevant field such as Special Education, Early Childhood Education, STEM Education, or a closely related discipline.  
  • 4 or more years of experience conducting high-quality, educational research.  
  • Demonstrated experience in successfully conducting high-quality, advanced quantitative and qualitative analysis.  
  • Demonstrated experience with the Research-based Early Math Assessment (REMA) and the Classroom Observation of Early Math – Environment and Teaching (COEMET). 
  • Demonstrated experience with the math Learning Trajectories approach. 

Preferred Qualifications

  • At least 5 years of experience in high quality educational research related to early childhood, special education, or STEM inclusion and/or at least 5 years of working in early childhood and/or inclusion classrooms in a teaching and/or research context.  
  • Supervisory experience.  

Work Schedule

  • Varies, Monday – Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
  • Part-time, up to 1,000 hours per calendar year.

Hourly Range:
The hourly range for the position is $35.00 - $42.00.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

Benefits:
The University of Denver offers some benefits for non-benefited employees. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Application Deadline
For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) October 31, 2025.

Special Instructions
Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Please include the following documents with your application:
1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University’s educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history background check.

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