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Tenure Track Jobs in Colorado (NOW HIRING)

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Tenure Track information

See Colorado salary details

$44.7K

$84.2K

$142K

How much do tenure track jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for tenure track in Colorado is $84,181.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $63,100.00 and $96,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a tenure track?

Tenure track positions are academic jobs at colleges or universities that lead to a permanent and secure faculty appointment, known as tenure. These positions are typically offered to assistant professors with the expectation that, after a probationary period (usually 5-7 years), they will be evaluated for tenure based on their teaching, research, and service. Earning tenure provides job security and academic freedom, as well as opportunities for promotion to higher ranks such as associate or full professor.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a tenure track professor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Tenure Track Professor, you need an advanced degree (typically a PhD) in your field, a strong record of research, and demonstrated teaching ability. Familiarity with academic publishing platforms, learning management systems, and grant application processes is crucial. Outstanding communication, mentorship, and time management skills help you engage students, collaborate with colleagues, and balance research and teaching responsibilities. These skills and qualifications are vital for building a successful academic career, securing funding, and making impactful contributions to your institution and discipline.

What is the difference between Tenure Track vs Postdoctoral Researcher?

AspectTenure TrackPostdoctoral Researcher
Required CredentialsDoctoral degree, research experience, academic credentialsDoctoral degree, specialized research skills
Work EnvironmentAcademic institutions, research universitiesResearch labs, universities, research institutes
Employment StatusProbationary faculty position with potential for tenureTemporary, fixed-term research position
Career PathPath to professorship and academic tenurePostdoctoral training, research specialization

In summary, a Tenure Track position is a faculty role with the potential to achieve tenure and a permanent academic appointment, whereas a Postdoctoral Researcher is a temporary research-focused role aimed at gaining experience and specialization before pursuing faculty positions or other careers.

How hard is it to get a tenure track job?

Securing a tenure track position is competitive and typically requires a strong academic record, relevant research experience, and a doctoral degree in the field. Candidates often need to publish research, present at conferences, and demonstrate teaching ability to stand out in the hiring process.

What are tenure track jobs?

Tenure track jobs are academic positions, typically at universities or colleges, that lead to a permanent appointment called tenure. These roles usually involve a combination of teaching, research, and service, with candidates expected to demonstrate scholarly productivity over several years before achieving tenure approval.

What are some common challenges faced by new tenure track faculty during their first year?

New tenure track faculty often encounter challenges such as balancing teaching responsibilities with establishing a research agenda and publishing scholarly work. Adjusting to the expectations for service, such as committee work or student advising, can also be demanding. Navigating the academic culture, building professional networks, and managing time efficiently are crucial for long-term success. Proactively seeking mentorship and communicating regularly with department colleagues can help ease the transition.
What are popular job titles related to Tenure Track jobs in Colorado? For Tenure Track jobs in Colorado, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Tenure Track job openings in Colorado as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 10% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $84,181 per year, or $40.5 per hour.

Open Rank - Tenure-Track Law Professor

University of Colorado

Boulder, CO • On-site

$155K - $240K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Retirement, PTO

Posted 22 days ago


University Of Colorado Boulder rating

8.2

Company rating: 8.2 out of 10

Based on 39 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

143rd of 618 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Job Summary
The University of Colorado Law School invites applications from entry-level and lateral candidates for one or more full-time, tenured or tenure-track faculty positions to begin at the start of the 2027-2028 academic year.
We welcome applications from candidates in all subject areas and at all levels of seniority. We have particular needs in Tax Law, Labor and Employment Law, and Business Law.
CU is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment. We are committed to creating a workplace where all individuals are treated with respect and dignity, and we encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.
Who We Are
We are an engaged and inclusive community of students, faculty, staff, and alumni who help one another succeed. Our faculty is highly regarded for its scholarship, its engagement in policy work, and its contributions to the wider community. Our selective admissions process keeps our student body small, enabling our faculty, staff, alumni, and community to invest deeply in each student's success, while preserving resources for innovative faculty research. We take our responsibility to educate and train future lawyers seriously. Our curriculum, research centers, and experiential learning opportunities are designed to prepare students for success in today's changing legal environment.
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
The workload for this position is 40% Teaching/40% Research/20% Service:
  • Teaching (40%): Faculty members are expected to teach an annual workload of 9-10 credits per academic year and to provide instruction as assigned by the Dean or their delegate. Classroom instruction responsibilities include holding class for the entire period for which the class is scheduled (including the final examination period) and evaluating students' work and assigning grades consistent with the policies of the Law School and University. Ongoing curriculum development and planning are also important components of teaching.
  • Research (40%): Faculty members are expected to research and prepare scholarly publications in their areas of expertise. Faculty members are expected to participate in scholarly and research activities that enhance their professional development and contribute to their disciplines, including by participating in academic conferences.
  • Service (20%): Faculty members are expected to engage in service to the institution, to students, and to their fields and/or the broader community and the public. University service involves, as appropriate to career stage, membership in departmental, college-level, and university committees; attending departmental meetings; processing routine paperwork; answering email; and participating in surveys. It also involves engaging in the life of the law school and contributing to law school culture and community, including by mentoring students and fostering a culture of inclusivity.

What You Should Know
  • Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

What We Can Offer
  • Entry-Level (Associate Professor) pay range is $147,500-$155,000 annually.
  • Lateral (Associate Professor or Professor) pay range is $155,000-$240,000 annually.
  • Onboarding assistance is available within School of Law guidelines.

Benefits
At the University of Colorado Boulder , we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County's largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world-class outdoor recreation. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.
Be Statements
Be authentic. Be impactful. Be Boulder.
What We Require
We seek candidates with great potential for and records of innovative and impactful scholarship and engaged teaching, appropriate to career stage. Successful candidates will also show potential for, and career-stage-appropriate records of, productively contributing to the life and culture of the law school by readily engaging in service work. Candidates must hold a J.D. from an ABA-accredited law school or equivalent degree in a related field.
Special Instructions
To apply, please submit the following materials:
  1. Resume/CV
  2. Cover Letter (addressed to the Search Committee; candidates may use the Cover Letter to, for example, describe their interest in Colorado Law or highlight ways in which aspects of their record and experience show potential for dedication to formal and informal service work, including community-building and student mentorship in service of a culture of inclusivity)
  3. "Job Talk" Paper (the principal paper you would like us to consider as an example of your scholarship)
  4. Research Agenda (describing your research to date along with the proposed future trajectory of your research)
  5. Teaching Statement (describing the courses you are interested in teaching as well as your approach to legal education and any prior teaching experience)

Should your candidacy advance, you may be asked to provide a list of references who may be contacted for letters of recommendation. We may also request additional materials from candidates, including teaching evaluations.
For full consideration, candidates should apply by September 1, 2026, although we recommend that you submit your materials as soon as possible.
For questions, please contact Professor Amanda Parsons, Chair of the Faculty Appointments Committee, Amanda.Parsons@colorado.edu , and Victoria Johnson, Faculty Affairs Program Manager, victoria.a.johnson@colorado.edu .
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs .
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

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