"Temporary Researcher"

Temporary Researcher

Company: University of Colorado Boulder

Category: Laboratory and Research

Type: Adjunct/Part-Time

Requisition Number: 70839

Location: Boulder, Colorado

City: Boulder

State: Colorado

Employment Type: Research Faculty

Schedule: Part-Time

Posting Close Date: 31-Mar-2026

Date Posted: 27-Mar-2026

Job Summary

The Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR) at the University of Colorado Boulder (CU) seeks a Temporary Researcher to assist with an NSF-funded research project on woody encroachment in alpine ecosystems. The successful candidate will join a collaborative team of scientists at CU, Colorado State University (CSU), and the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) to investigate how density-dependent plant-mycorrhizal-soil interactions shape patterns of woody shrub expansion and ecosystem resilience under climate change. This position will have variable hours depending on the week and will include field work, greenhouse work, and lab work.

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

As the University's oldest institute, INSTAAR has a long history of responding to pressing environmental issues including climate change. Our traditional focus has been on alpine, Arctic, and Antarctic regions, where effects of global change are especially pronounced. In recent decades, our research has broadened to include environmental challenges that span local, regional, and global scales. INSTAAR's research activities integrate field studies, state-of-the-art laboratory experiments, sample analysis, and numerical and laboratory modeling. Our field sites are located across all seven continents and the world's oceans.Our expertise across disciplines helps us generate influential science that can inform public and policy decisions and move us toward a more sustainable society. INSTAAR's national and international research leadership is augmented by exceptional strength in graduate education and bringing undergraduates into the research process.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Assist with field surveys and data collection, including root and soil samples for mycorrhizal identification and biogeochemical analyses
• Assist with alpine shrub propagation in the CU greenhouse, including watering plants regularly
• Assist with lab work including root microscopy and sequencing, soil biogeochemical analyses

What We Can Offer

$19/hour - $20/hour

Benefits

Temporary positions at the University of Colorado are not benefits-eligible, however, all positions are eligible for paid sick leave.

Be Statements

Be ambitious. Be groundbreaking. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• A high school diploma and progress toward a Bachelor's degree

What You Will Need

• The ability to hike five to ten miles during the day at high altitude with a full backpack across variable terrain
• The ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Strong attention to detail
• Previous background and interest in ecology and/or environmental science

What We Would Like You to Have

• Previous field experience
• Previous experience working with plants in a greenhouse
• Flexible schedule to work variable hours depending on weather and project needs
• Knowledge of backcountry travel and safety practices, including Wilderness First Aid
• Previous experience with soil biogeochemistry, including field or lab work
• Experience with genomics methods including environmental DNA or qPCR

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

1. Resume or CV.

Please apply by 3/31/2026 for consideration. Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, applications must be submitted through CU Boulder Jobs.

Apply Now