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Graduate Research Associate Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

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Senior Clinical Research Associate

Denver, CO

$110K - $138K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

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 ...

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Clinical Research Associate II

Denver, CO

$91K - $114K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

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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Showing results 21-40

All JobsGraduate Research Associate JobsGraduate Research Associate Jobs in Colorado

Graduate Research Associate information

See Colorado salary details

$7

$23

$45

How much do graduate research associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 12, 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 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.

Is being a graduate research associate worth it?

A graduate research associate role involves conducting research under supervision, often in academic or laboratory settings, and can provide valuable experience for careers in academia, industry, or further study. The position typically offers a stipend or salary, opportunities to develop technical skills, and networking connections, making it a worthwhile step for those pursuing research-oriented careers.

Do I need a PhD to be a graduate research associate?

A graduate research associate position typically requires at least a master's degree in a relevant field; a PhD is not usually required but may be preferred for advanced research roles. The specific educational requirements depend on the employer and the level of research involved. Skills in research methods, data analysis, and relevant tools are also important for this role.

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 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:
Graduate Research Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Graduate Research Associate job openings in Colorado as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $49,721 per year, or $23.9 per hour.

Research Associates I, II, III, IV and Senior - Open Pool

Colorado State University

Fort Collins, CO • On-site, Remote

$30K - $60K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 26 days ago

Colorado State University rating

6.7

Company rating: 6.7 out of 10

Based on 49 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

485th of 618 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Job Description

The Department of Biology seeks applications from individuals who are interested in obtaining temporary or special research positions within the department in the areas of cell and molecular biology, physiology of plants or animals, animal behavior, ecology, evolutionary biology and computational/theoretical biology.

Some Research Associate positions may have the option to work remotely, but this will vary between the faculty labs within the department. Contact the individual faculty and their labs to learn more.

Work Unit Description

Detailed descriptions of the research programs of the individual faculty are available on the department web page: http://www.biology.colostate.edu/people/

Signing Bonus

Any signing bonus, up to $2,500, must be approved on a case-by-case basis by the hiring laboratory and departmental leadership.

Salary Range:

$30,000 - $60,000

Essential Job Duties

Essential job duties vary depending on the hiring laboratory and research program, but may include:

  • Conducting laboratory, field, or computational research activities

  • Collecting, managing, and analyzing research data.

  • Assisting with experimental design and protocol implementation.

  • Maintaining laboratory equipment, materials, and documentation.

  • Contributing to manuscripts, reports, and presentations.

  • Collaborating with faculty, staff, graduate students, and other research personnel.

Conditions of Employment

Pre-employment criminal background check (required for new hires)

Supervision

This position reports to a faculty member within the Department of Biology. Day-to-day supervision and expectations are defined by the hiring laboratory.

Research Associate Level Requirements:

All applicants must hold at least a bachelor's degree in an appropriate discipline.

  • Level Iis for individuals with less than 3 years of professional, post-baccalaureate experience.

  • Level IIis for individuals with a Bachelor's degree and more than 3 years of relevant professional experience or a Master's degree.

  • LevelIIIis for individuals with a Bachelor's and 5 years of experience or a Master's degree with 2 years of experience. Individuals with a PhD who have no experience may also be appointed to this position if appropriate.

  • Level IVis for individuals with a Bachelor's degree plus 10 years of experience, a Master's degree and 5 years of experience or a PhD with 2 years of experience.

  • The Senior Research Associate levelis for individuals with a PhD plus 5 years of experience and demonstrated group leadership activities.

Minimum Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in an appropriate discipline by the start date.

Preferred Qualifications

Preferred qualifications vary by laboratory and may include:

  • Prior research experience in a relevant biological discipline.

  • Experience with laboratory, field, or computational research methods.

  • Strong written and verbal communication skills.

  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a research environment.

  • Experience with data analysis, scientific writing, or specialized research techniques relevant to the hiring lab.

Application Instructions

To ensure full consideration, applications, resumes and cover letters must be received by 11:59 p.m. (MT) on December 31, 2026. Individuals wishing to be considered beyond this date must reapply.

In order to help screen all applications for potential openings, please email answers to the following questions to tyler.heyne@colostate.edu as soon as possible:

  • Please list your academic and/or professional degrees, including area(s) of study.

  • Please provide a one to two sentence summary of your research experience (300-character limit).

Please include the posting title and Requisition number in the subject line of your email when sending your answers

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,CSUis 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,CSUconducts 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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