Research Assistant/Associate

Apply now Job no:497326
Work type:Postdoc / Research / Fellow
Location:Denver, CO
Categories:Research
Division: Morgridge College Of Education

Research Assistant III or Research Associate

The Marsico Institute for Early Learning is housed in the Morgridge College of Education (MCE) at the University of Denver. We have dedicated ourselves to improving learning environments and outcomes for children, birth to age 8. We identify the best in early learning research, practice, and policy, and we deliver that information at just the point it will be useful to academics, practitioners, policymakers, and parents — the people who can create and implement changes to improve the lives of young children. The quality of relationships and learning opportunities that young children experience can set the stage for what they can accomplish throughout their lives. 

Position Summary

Join the Marsico Institute as a Research Assistant or Associate and play a pivotal role in advancing early childhood STEM education. This position involves engaging with digital math game testing, facilitating child assessments, and developing instructional materials. Ideal candidates will have a background in Education, Psychology, Research, or Social Sciences, the ability to multitask based on grant-driven requirements, and experience working with young children. Enjoy a collaborative environment where your data management, research, and instructional development skills can make a difference in educational practices and outcomes.

Essential Functions

Research and Data Management

• Monitor and document study consents and permissions.
• Organize data across platforms – ensuring confidentiality and accuracy.
• Support data collection and management efforts, including cleaning, coding, and entering data.
• Support end users of digital platforms.
• Utilize marketing platforms to design and send study communication.
• Participate in project progress, management, and planning meetings.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Testing and Evaluation

• Conduct digital math game testing following specific protocols.
• Conduct in-person and virtual interviews and focus groups.
• Conduct child assessments and interviews.
• Validate instructional activities by testing them at designated incubator sites.

Instructional Development

• Contribute to and adapt early childhood STEM instructional materials for trainings, as needed.
• Adapt or create written classroom instructional activities from Learning and Teaching Early Math and similar research-based resources.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of early childhood STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math).
• Must be able to develop and maintain a good rapport with young children and school personnel.
• Ability to multitask within and across as required by varying grant objectives.
• Capable of successfully working independently and as part of a team.
• Proven excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Adaptability to shifting priorities based on grant-driven requirements.
• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Close attention to detail.
• Demonstrated ability to take initiative to solve problems and improve processes.
• Facility with MS Office Suite/O365 programs, videotaping equipment, and basic features of virtual collaboration software.
• Experience using Qualtrics, SPSS, or other data collection and analysis software.

Required Qualifications

Research Assistant III

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Psychology, Research, Social Science, or related field. 
• Experience working with young children or in a classroom setting.
• English language fluency.
• Related content knowledge and experience.

Research Associate

• Master’s in Education, Psychology, Research, Social Science, or related field. 
• Experience working with young children or in a classroom setting.
• English language fluency.
• Related content knowledge and experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience as an instructor, instructional coach, and/or classroom teacher, or other experience working with young children.
• Experience in social science research.
• Experience in early childhood education.
• Experience working with Clements’ and Sarama’s Learning Trajectories approach.
• Spanish language fluency.

Working Environment

1. Standard office environment.
2. Unexpected interruptions occur often and stress level is moderate to high.
3. Noise level is quiet to moderate.

Physical Activities

1. Ability to sit in front of a computer for an extended period of time.
2. Occasionally required to move about the office/campus with the capability of transporting objects up to 20 lbs.

Work Schedule
Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Application Deadline
For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) June 25, 2024.

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

Salary Grade Number:

Research Assistant III – The salary grade for the position is GE9.
Research Associate – The salary grade for the position is GE10.

Salary Range:

Research Assistant III – The hourly range for this position is $27.59-$33.21
Research Associate – The salary range for this position is $59,000-$71,500

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

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. The University of Denver prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital 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; Equal Pay Act; Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Workers' 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.