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Graduate Research Associate Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Senior Clinical Research Associate - Oncology - West Region ICON is a global healthcare ... A graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences or equivalent, or a qualified RN * Eligible to ...

Clinical Research Associate - Oncology - West Region ICON is a global healthcare intelligence and ... A graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences or equivalent, or a qualified RN * Eligible to ...

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Graduate Research Associate information

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$7

$23

$45

How much do graduate research associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for graduate research associate in Colorado is $23.90, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.20 and $29.42 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a graduate research associate?

Graduate Research Associates are graduate students, often pursuing a master's or doctoral degree, who assist faculty members or research teams with academic research projects. Their responsibilities can include collecting and analyzing data, conducting literature reviews, preparing research reports, and sometimes co-authoring publications. These positions help students gain practical research experience and develop skills relevant to their academic and professional careers.

What are some typical challenges graduate research associates face when balancing research responsibilities with coursework or teaching duties?

Graduate Research Associates often juggle multiple commitments, including research, coursework, and sometimes teaching assistantships. Managing time effectively can be challenging, especially when project deadlines and academic requirements overlap. Many associates develop strong organizational and communication skills to handle shifting priorities, and it's common to coordinate closely with advisors to set realistic goals and expectations. Proactively seeking support from peers and utilizing university resources can also help in maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a graduate research associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Graduate Research Associate, you need a solid academic background in your field, strong analytical skills, and experience with research methodologies, typically supported by enrollment in a relevant graduate program. Familiarity with data analysis software (such as SPSS, R, or MATLAB), literature databases, and possibly lab equipment or coding languages is often required. Excellent written and verbal communication, attention to detail, and time management are critical soft skills for producing high-quality research and collaborating with faculty and peers. These skills are vital for conducting rigorous research, contributing to academic publications, and advancing both individual and institutional research goals.

What is the difference between Graduate Research Associate vs Research Assistant?

AspectGraduate Research AssociateResearch Assistant
Required CredentialsTypically enrolled in a graduate program; may have a bachelor's degreeUsually holds a bachelor's degree; some roles require a master's
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, academic institutions, or industry R&D departmentsResearch labs, academic settings, or fieldwork environments
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research institutes, and industry R&D teamsUniversities, government agencies, and private companies

The Graduate Research Associate role generally involves advanced research responsibilities within academic or industry settings and often requires enrollment in a graduate program. Research Assistants typically support research projects with less independent responsibility and may have fewer educational prerequisites. Both roles are essential for research projects but differ mainly in educational status and scope of responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Graduate Research jobs in Colorado?

The most popular types of Graduate Research jobs in Colorado are:

What cities in Colorado are hiring for Graduate Research Associate jobs?

Cities in Colorado with the most Graduate Research Associate job openings:

Infographic showing various Graduate Research Associate job openings in Colorado as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $49,721 per year, or $23.9 per hour.

Research Associate I, II, III, or IV - Open Pool

Colorado State University

Fort Collins, CO • On-site

$75K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 8 days ago


Colorado State University rating

6.9

Company rating: 6.9 out of 10

Based on 50 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

464th of 628 rated colleges and universities


Job description


Position Summary
The Department of Psychology and other research centers within the department and funded research grants within the department seek applications throughout the academic year from individuals who are interested in Research Associate positions. The open positions may be temporary or special assignment. Annual terms and reappointment may depend on performance and/or the continued availability of funding. Psychology department research positions are in the areas of Applied Social and Health, Cognitive, Cognitive Neuroscience, Counseling and Industrial/Organizational psychology. Research centers within the department include the Tri-Ethnic Center for Prevention Research.
Work Unit Description
The Department of Psychology serves approximately 1400 undergraduate majors and 100 graduate students, with approximately 30 full-time faculty members distributed across five doctoral programs: (1) Health Psychology, (2) Cognitive Neuroscience, (3) Cognitive Psychology, (4) Clinical Psychology, and (5) Industrial/Organizational Psychology. The Department also offers two Master's degrees: (1) Master's in Addiction Counseling and (2) Master's in Applied Industrial/Organizational Psychology, which is an online degree. The Department houses several service centers including the Psychological Services Center, the Center for Meaning and Purpose, and the Aging Clinic of the Rockies.
The Department proudly boasts the Tri-Ethnic Center for Prevention Research that concentrates on social problems that affect rural areas. Additionally, the department has an externally funded occupational health psychology training program, funded by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) Education and Research Center which provides financial resources to support graduate student education, research, and professional development.
More information on the Department can be obtained on the Department's website: http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/Psychology
Salary Range
$35,000 - 75,000
Essential Job Duties
  • Support grant and department research in Psychology.
  • Collecting, managing and analyzing research data.
  • Maintaining laboratory equipment, materials and documentation.
  • Additional job duties as needed by PI and faculty.

Conditions of Employment
Background check required.
Supervision
No supervisory duties.
Minimum Qualifications
Qualifications for Research Associate I are a Bachelor's degree and less than 3 years of professional, post-baccalaureate experience.
Qualifications for Research Associate II are more than 3 years of relevant professional experience for an individual with a Bachelor's degree or a Master's degree and no other significant professional experience.
Qualifications for Research Associate III are individuals with a Bachelor's degree and 5 years of work-related experience or a Master's degree with at least 2 years experience. Individuals with a Ph.D. who have no additional experience may also be appointed to this position.
Qualifications for Research Associate IV are individuals with a Bachelor's degree and 10 years of work-related experience, or a Master's degree with more than 5 years of experience. Individuals holding a Ph.D. who have at least 2 years experience may also be appointed to this position.
Application Instructions
For full consideration, please submit the following materials:
  • Cover letter
  • Resume or CV

This posting will remain open and continue collecting applications until October 31, 2026. Applicants who wish to be considered after this date must reapply.
Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.
Employee Benefits
Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it's a thriving community that's transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.
  • Review our detailed benefits information here.
  • Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.
  • For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.
  • Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!

Background Check Policy Statement
Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.
EEO
Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

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About Colorado State University

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Colorado State University is one of the nation’s top public Tier 1 Research universities and an institution on the rise. Our Ram success is driven by an ambition to be excellent in all we do combined with an unparalleled location that is one of the fastest-growing and most vibrant areas in the country. CSU is a higher education destination for working and learning for faculty, staff, and students from across Colorado, the nation, and around the globe. CSU has produced record enrollment in the past decade, built on all-time highs in student diversity and student success, experienced record fundraising and research expenditures that keep hitting new highs year-after-year, and our faculty are known nationally and internationally for their groundbreaking research. Among other recognition for research and creative scholarship, CSU was recognized in 2022 as one of 10 top research institutions in the world contributing to solving the COVID pandemic. CSU is thriving, with a five-year average enrollment of more than 33,400 students. The record-setting 2022 incoming class of 5,517 students reflects 25% from diverse populations and 24% who were first in their families to attend college. CSU graduates find success with 85% securing a job related to their career plans within six months of graduation. More than nine out of 10 Rams would select CSU again, demonstrating the quality of the campus and learning environments.

Industry

Education

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Fort Collins, CO, US

Year founded

1870

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