Staff Researcher II

The Colorado Evaluation and Action Lab at the University of Denver (DU) was created under the leadership of the Governor’s Office to unlock data-informed solutions to our most pressing social problems. Working together with a broad range of government and community partners, we conduct research with rigor to obtain the best available evidence to inform policies, programs, and investments. Our goal is to leverage data to inform policy and practice, set the wheels in motion to achieve and sustain change, and position our partners to pursue additional, meaningful change for the communities they serve with the guidance of eight essential elements.

Position Summary

The Colorado Lab seeks to hire a Staff Researcher II. This position will report to the Executive Director of the Lab. A primary function will be to conduct research that informs State of Colorado policy development and budget decisions. Funding for this position is secured through June 30, 2028 with the possibility of an extension based on funding.

Essential Functions

• Proactively manage projects involving multiple partners, tight deadlines, sensitive data, and potentially high-profile and/or controversial topics. Help keep other people organized.
• Productively engage in reciprocal partnerships with the Governor’s office, governmental agencies, and external researchers. The Colorado Lab is highly interactive with policy makers, and all staff are expected to play a role in supporting this value.
• Complete a variety of analytic tasks, based on a project plan, recommending deviations from the plan as appropriate, such as:
  
  • Prepare, program, and administer data collection tools. Flag for Project Director potential data integrity issues
  • Manage and clean datasets. Perform basic analyses, including descriptive and some inferential statistics (e.g., regression; ANOVA) with well documented code, and/or basic qualitative coding.
  • Develop necessary documentation to support replicability. Develop fidelity measures and provide training to clients in using fidelity tools. Provide technical assistance to partners and sites during study execution.
• Shepherd projects through the Institutional Review Board process
• Effectively communicate orally and in writing to a lay audience about technical analytic and policy issues, for example:
  
  • Develop data visualizations
  • Draft content for policy briefs and evaluation reports
  • Generate insight statements and interpretation of data
  • Elicit and apply client feedback to deliverables.
• Translate policy or practice questions into research designs.
• Collaborate on the development of grant proposals
• Engage in other duties as necessary, requested, and appropriate to support the mission of the Colorado Lab.
  
  

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated passion for improving government performance and addressing complex social problems.
• Excellence in both written and oral communications.
• Experience with technical writing for peers, policy memos for policymakers and practitioners, slide decks, and public speaking.
• Exceptional project management capabilities and creativity in problem solving.
• Solid quantitative and analytical skills. Extensive experience managing, cleaning, and analyzing administrative data to drive insights and action.
• Track record of adeptly navigating complex organizations, developing trust with senior leaders, and building relationships among diverse groups of stakeholders.
• Self-motivated with an orientation toward balancing results and process
• Eagerness to learn, attention to detail, and ability to multi-task.

Required Qualifications

• Masters Degree
• Graduate-level coursework in research methods, statistics, econometrics, or psychometrics
• At least five years of relevant work experience, two of which must be at the Colorado Lab or a similar organization
• Prior experience with project management of research and evaluation projects
• Experience working with large administrative datasets.
• Experience working with government and the policymaking process.

Preferred Qualifications

• Post-master’s coursework or training that is relevant to position (e.g., project management, advanced statistics, GIS certification)
• Experience working with local, state, or federal government.
• In-depth knowledge of at least one major area of domestic social policy

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Must be based in the Denver region with a balance of virtual and in-person work.

Physical Activities

• Ability to work in front of a computer for extended periods of time.
• Occasionally required to move about the office/campus.

Application Deadline
For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) August 10, 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 12.

Salary Range:
The salary range for this position is $75,000 - $86,500

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. 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.