Director, SEED – Stress, Early Experiences and Development Institute

This position is being posted in accordance with the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act. The University is currently considering a preferred internal candidate for this role. This notice is provided to inform eligible applicants of the opportunity to apply.

As the University’s largest and most varied academic unit, the College of Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences (CAHSS) is comprised of artists, learners, performers, scholars, scientists, and teachers across 21+ departments, programs, schools, and centers and acts as a central hub where many of the University's disciplines intersect. Nearly all 6,000 undergraduates at the University take liberal arts courses with us, and about one-third of these students declare a first major in a CAHSS program. Most of our departments, programs and schools offer master's or doctoral programs. CAHSS scholars, artists, instructors, staff, and students collaborate in a shared quest for knowledge about the human condition and the development of skills to improve our local and global communities. The broad scope of CAHSS allows our students to gain the knowledge and skills necessary to succeed at nearly any career in today’s global society. 

About the Department of Psychology

The University of Denver is situated in the Denver metro area, a vibrant and diverse urban center in the Rocky Mountain region that is home to 2.8 million people. Our metropolitan location along the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains supports faculty collaboration across a number of local universities. The University, ranked in the top 100 universities in the country, is comprised of approximately 5,800 undergraduates (including nearly 500 psychology majors), 5,700 graduate students, and over 700 full-time faculty.

The Stress, Early Experiences, and Development (SEED) Institute is a research institute which explores the critical intersections of human development and adversity. Our team of faculty, postdocs, and students is united by a commitment to research that integrates psychology, biology, and community insight to address pressing challenges in mental health, learning, caregiving, and beyond. We apply this knowledge to design interventions, inform policy, train the next generation of SEED scientists, and foster lasting change.

Position Summary

The primary responsibilities for this position are overseeing all research being conducted by the institute and managing/supervising associated faculty and staff. This is a 12 month appointment, effective 9/1/2025 through 8/31/26. The position could be extended depending on funding availability & need.

Essential Functions 

• Supervise undergraduate and graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, volunteer and paid research assistants, and associated faculty
• Oversee all research and evaluations being conducted by the institute and manage/supervise associated faculty and staff
• Works with the University’s Office of Research and Sponsored Programs regarding grants administration and with the Department of Psychology’s Grants and Budget Manager regarding budgets and financial records
• Oversee the protection of human subjects involved in research conducted by the institute and the management of data
• Secure funding for new projects through a variety of source

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities

• Experience with Fundraising
• Experience with management of a team of staff
• Demonstrated research and evaluation skills

Minimum Qualifications

• Ph.D. in Psychology or related field

Preferred Qualifications

• A Current member of SEED – Stress, Early Experiences and Development Institute

Application Deadline

For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) August 2, 2026.

Special Instructions

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

For full consideration, please include the following documents with your application:

1. Resume or CV (length varies), including degrees obtained and research accomplishments
2. Cover Letter (1-2 pages), including motivation to hold the position and knowledge, skills, and plans to engage in best practices in inclusive research

Salary Rate

The salary rate for this position is $8,500 for a 1 year appointment

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.

Working Environment

• Standard open office environment
• Noise level is quiet to moderate

Physical Activities

• Ability to use a computer for an extended period
• Occasionally required to move about the office/campus 

Statement of Other Duties Disclaimer

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change, or new ones may be assigned at any time with or without notice.

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 based upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history and National Sex Offender Registry background check.