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Graduate Research Associate Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

Postdoctoral Associate

Boulder, CO ยท On-site

$67K - $74K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Research Faculty Schedule: Full-Time Date Posted: 28-Jul-2026 Close All Job Summary The Department ... Mentor University of Colorado graduate and undergraduate students in the CMS group. * Provide ...

Postdoctoral Associate

Boulder, CO ยท On-site

$67K - $74K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Mentor University of Colorado graduate and undergraduate students in the CMS group. * Provide ... Cover letter * Research statement describing past and proposed future research During the ...

Postdoctoral Associate

Boulder, CO ยท On-site

$63K - $75K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Who We Are The Department of Psychology and Neuroscience is composed of Faculty, Staff, Research Assistants, Graduate Students, and Undergraduate Students. Through teaching, learning, research, and ...

Postdoctoral Associate

Boulder, CO ยท On-site

$63K - $75K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Who We Are The Department of Psychology and Neuroscience is composed of Faculty, Staff, Research Assistants, Graduate Students, and Undergraduate Students. Through teaching, learning, research, and ...

Showing results 41-60

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:
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.

Professional Research Assistant (Chemistry Technician)

University of Colorado Boulder Chemical and Biological Engineering Department

Boulder, CO โ€ข On-site

$18.75 - $25.75/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago


Job description

Company Description

We are a world-class department with 27 faculty (including 1 joint with chemistry), 39 postdoctoral fellows and research technicians, 128 graduate students, and more than 600 undergraduate students. Our research program is extremely active, including research centers in biorefining and biofuels, membranes, pharmaceutical biotechnology, and photopolymerization.ย 

Job Description

Your specific responsibilities in this position will be: to synthesize functional monomers, oligomers and polymers of the desired characteristics that are functional, pure and considered to be " click nucleic acids" based on thiol-vinyl chemistries. The monomers will be capable of being polymerized by one of several means and be functionalized with various nucleobases to enable sequence specific polymers to be produced. This person will be involved in the synthesis, functionalization, characterization and implementation of these novel materials.

The position requires significant interaction with students and Research Associates ("post-doctoral researchers"), along with the ability to work independently.

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree

Additional Information

To apply visit: http://www.jobsatcu.com/postings/95533

Applicants must complete the Faculty/University Staff and EEO Data (application) form, and upload the following required documents:

1 - Curriculum Vitae

2 - Proof of Highest Degree Earned

3 - Document 1: Letter of Recommendation

The University of Colorado is an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to building a diverse workforce. We encourage applications from women, racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans. Alternative formats of this ad can be provided upon request for individuals with disabilities by contacting the ADA Coordinator.

The University of Colorado Boulder conducts background checks on all final applicants being considered for employment.