The Marsico Postdoctoral Research Fellowship offers an opportunity to engage in multiple research projects involving applied science in education. This includes research-and-development initiatives and analyses of data from large-scale studies on the effectiveness of mathematics interventions using randomized trials and other methodologies. Areas of focus might include mathematics assessment and discourse, examine the validity of research-based learning trajectories and providing related professional development and coaching, exploring interdisciplinary preschool curricula, and developing and researching mobile math games and online resources for educators based on the learning trajectories approach.

Position Summary

The Postdoctoral Research Fellow position aims to support innovative projects in early STEM learning and teaching. It serves as an entry point for those seeking to make a meaningful impact in early STEM education, requiring candidates to possess strong academic skills along with emerging leadership, communication, and organizational abilities.

The Postdoctoral Research Fellow will collaborate with the Kennedy endowed chairs, directors, and research staff of the Marsico Institute, participating in various project phases such as study design, data collection, intervention implementation, data analysis, and presentations and publications. There will also be opportunities to conduct professional development for school staff and other stakeholders, receive training in assessments and observations, contribute to the design of online and app-based tools for teachers and research teams, and collaborate with other researchers and fellows. Additionally, the Fellow will have chances to attend national meetings and workshops designed to deepen their understanding of research related to the Institute’s projects.

Essential Functions

Conduct Research Activities 

• Assist in comprehensive reviews of literature and practices in early childhood STEM learning.
• Support the design and execution of research methodologies aligned with study objectives.
• Help in collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data.
• Co-author scientific papers and assist in the preparation of grant proposals.
• Participate in conferences and help develop outreach materials like newsletters and infographics.
• Technical Assistance and Resource Development 
• Support the development and refinement of microlearning resources and instructional guides for children, parents, and teachers
• Contribute to managing and creating web content and digital tools for educational programs in ongoing early STEM projects.
• Assist in organizing STEM-focused events and support technical training initiatives.

Support for Project Management 

• Take a leadership role in a large, funded project.
• Aid in monitoring project timelines and milestones.
• Assist with the coordination among team members to foster collaboration.
• Participate in regular project meetings.

Collaboration, Teamwork, and Stakeholder Engagement 

• Contribute to internal team efforts to align research activities.
• Support collaborations with external partners such as academic institutions and other collaborators.
• Join interdisciplinary discussions to contribute fresh perspectives.
• Attend meetings and workshops with community partners.
• Support liaisons with stakeholders to align educational efforts with community needs.
• Read, write, and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence and memos.
• Write routine reports and correspondence and speak effectively before both internal and external groups.
• Read, analyze and interpret scientific and technical journals, financial reports, and legal documents.
• Prepare and/or present written communications that pertain to controversial and complex topics.
• Can redirect communication or correspondence to appropriate team or unit.
• Little or no responsibility in the area of budgets or departmental resources.
• Work requires the ability to plan and perform work in light of new or constantly changing problems, work from broad instruction, deal with complex factors not easily evaluated. Decisions require considerable judgment, initiative, and ingenuity in areas where there is little precedent.
• Work requires the ability to act independently and the formulation and administration of policies and programs for major division or functions.
• Identifying resolve/redirect complex problems or issues that require detailed investigation, analysis and interpretation.
• Speak articulately and thoughtfully on an impromptu basis.
• Identify and resolve/redirect complex problems or issues that require detailed investigation, analysis and interpretation.
• Handle situations that require unusual sensitivity, diplomacy and composure. May include handling confidential information.
• Results are defined and incumbent uses existing practices as guidelines to determine specific work methods and carries out work activities independently; supervisor is available to resolve problems.
• Involves general instructing, scheduling, and reviewing the work of others performing the same or directly related work. Acts as the ”lead worker.” This level involves functional supervision only.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Research Skills: Advanced proficiency in designing and supporting research studies in early STEM education, with experience in leading and engaging in classroom and child data collection efforts.
• Project Management: Demonstrated project management skills and adherence to deadlines, particularly in environments with complex task arrangements.
• Scientific Writing: Developing skills in co-writing academic papers and supporting grant proposal development.
• Communication Skills: Effective communication abilities for academic and professional contexts.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Experience in engaging with stakeholders and building professional relationships.
• Data Analysis: Competence in supporting statistical analysis and data interpretation.
• Educational Content Support: Skills in helping to create and distribute educational content.
• Teamwork: Ability to work well within a team and support collaborative projects.
• Technical Aptitude: Well-versed in using modern educational technology and research tools.
• Learning and Adaptability: Eagerness to learn and adapt to new developments in STEM education and research.

Required Qualifications

• Doctoral Degree (Ph.D.): A Ph.D. in a relevant field such as Education, STEM Education, Early Childhood Education, Educational Psychology, or a closely related discipline. The doctoral degree should reflect advanced knowledge and research skills in areas pertinent to early childhood STEM learning and development.
• Minimum of 0-2 years experience

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of 3-4 years experience

Working Environment

• Standard office environment.
• Unexpected interruptions occur often and stress level is moderate to high.
• Noise level is quiet to moderate.
• Work primarily takes places on campus. Some project tasks may require more regular local travel to sites and occasional national travel for presentations, meetings, or trainings.

Physical Activities

• Ability to work in front of a computer for extended periods of time.
• Occasionally required to move about the office/campus.
• This position includes driving personal and/or University owned vehicle as a required part of job

Work Schedule 
Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Work primarily takes places on campus. Some project tasks may require more regular local travel to sites and occasional national travel for presentations, meetings, or trainings.

Application Deadline
For consideration, please submit your application materials by 11:59 p.m. (MST) March 1, 2026.

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

Salary Grade Number:
The salary grade for the position is GE8.

Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $62,232-$70,000.

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 excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

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

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 and MVR background check.