Job Details

Research Scientist I

Position Number: 7059135
Location: Boulder, CO
Position Type: Laboratory and Research

Research Scientist I

Requisition Number: 70986
Location: Boulder Colorado
Employment Type: Research Faculty
Schedule: Full Time
Posting Close Date: 13-Apr-2026
Date Posted:

Job Summary

The Department of Environmental Studies (ENVS) and Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR) at the University of Colorado (CU) Boulder welcome applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Wildfire Resilience and Environmental Health. The postdoctoral associate will participate in ongoing work in ENVS/INSTAAR and CU Boulder focused on empirically studying strategies for resilience and public health protection in response to growing wildfire and other environmental risks, particularly at the wildland-urban interface. This position will advance knowledge of environmental health risks and applied approaches to managing water quality impacts. The appointment will begin on August 1, 2026 and run through July 31, 2028. Academic mentorship will be provided by ENVS & INSTAAR faculty with scholarly interests aligned with those of the postdoctoral associate. In addition, the postdoctoral associate will be eligible for mentoring and support through CU Boulder's Office of Postdoctoral Affairs.
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

As the University's oldest institute, INSTAAR has a long history of responding to pressing environmental issues including climate change. Our traditional focus has been on alpine, Arctic, and Antarctic regions, where effects of global change are especially pronounced. In recent decades, our research has broadened to include environmental challenges that span local, regional, and global scales. INSTAAR's research activities integrate field studies, state-of-the-art laboratory experiments, sample analysis, and numerical and laboratory modeling. Our field sites are located across all seven continents and the world's oceans.

Our expertise across disciplines helps us generate influential science that can inform public and policy decisions and move us toward a more sustainable society. INSTAAR's national and international research leadership is augmented by exceptional strength in graduate education and bringing undergraduates into the research process.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

The postdoctoral associate will be expected to independently lead research around environmental health risks, including conducting field sampling, laboratory processing, and data analysis; mentor graduate and undergraduate students in ENVS/INSTAAR; participate in departmental seminars; organize public-facing events to disseminate research; support the educational mission of ENVS and INSTAAR (including a 1-credit short course in ENVS); and serve as a project manager generally in collaboration with CU Boulder faculty, staff, and community partners. The initial focus will be on resilience to wildfire-derived contaminants following wildland-urban fires, with potential to expand to other environmental risks depending on research funding.

What We Can Offer

$63,000 - $65,000/year

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 groundbreaking. Be Boulder.

What We Require

Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering, Environmental Science, Environmental Health or other comparable field.

What You Will Need

We are looking for someone who is a natural builder, mentor, and problem-solver. Specific skills required include knowledge and experience of field sampling methods for multiple environmental media
Wet laboratory experience to conduct sample processing and analysis; GC/MS and/or LC/MS analytical expertise
Confidence with data analysis and data visualization using R (or other comparable languages)
Willingness to support undergraduate and graduate students in writing, research, and laboratory protocols; ability to quickly learn new skills methods, or research topics
An interdisciplinary mindset and openness to collaborate across ENVS and INSTAAR
Confidence independently formulating research questions and writing proposals for research funding.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

Resume or 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. However, if your degree was obtained outside of the United States, please submit an English-translated version as an Optional document.

Please apply by 4/13/26 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-Scientist-I/70986