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Professional Research Assistant

Requisition Number:

73639

Location:

Boulder, Colorado

City

Boulder

State

Colorado

Employment Type:

Research Faculty

Schedule:

Part-Time

Posting Close Date:

27-Jul-2026

Date Posted:

23-Jul-2026

Job Summary

The SamPLE (Sample Preparation Lab and Educational) Facility (aka, the Rock Shop) invites applications for a Professional Research Assistant!
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 SamPLE (Sample Preparation Lab and Educational) Facility in the Department of Earth Science houses rock crushing equipment, rock saws, sieves, polishers, ovens and hotplates, a fume hood, epoxy mounting and impregnation equipment, and a heavy liquid setup. From cutting rocks for thin sections, separating minerals for geochronologic measurements, and polishing samples for in situ analyses, the SamPLE facility acts as the crucial bridge between field and analytical activities in the Department.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

  • Provide hands-on oversight of the SamPLE Facility (aka, the Rock Shop), 
  • Offer training, maintain equipment, and coordinate users,
  • Ensure that the lab follows Environmental Health & Safety guidelines and requirements.
  • Mentor undergraduate students working in the lab,
  • Take on additional tasks as appropriate, in coordination with the position’s supervisor.
    • These tasks may include organizing the lab, documenting procedures, and potentially centralizing and tracking undergraduate course-related samples, thin sections, field equipment, microscopes, and other teaching materials.

What You Should Know

This position is in-person.

What We Can Offer

The annual salary for this 20% time position is $9,984, equating to $24/hour.

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 pioneering. Be Boulder.

What We Require

  • A Bachelor's Degree.
  • Hands on experience using much of the equipment in the SamPLE Facility.
  • Experience mentoring and teaching undergraduate students in the Department.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:
  1. Resume or CV
  2. Cover letter addressed to the Search Committee briefly describing your qualifications, professional goals, and specific interest in this position.
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 as an optional attachment.

During the application process you will need to enter contact information for a reference who may be contacted to provide a letter of recommendation and additional materials, if needed, as the search progresses.

For consideration, please apply by July 27, 2026.

Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply 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.

Posting Contact Information

Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources

Posting Contact Email: Recruiting@colorado.edu