Research Associate

Marsico Institute for Early Learning Research Associate

The Marsico Institute for Early Learning is housed in the Morgridge College of Education (MCE) at the University of Denver. We have dedicated ourselves to improving learning environments and outcomes for children, birth to age 8. We identify the best in early learning research, practice, and policy, and we deliver that information at just the point it will be useful to academics, practitioners, policymakers, and parents — the people who can create and implement changes to improve the lives of young children. The quality of relationships and learning opportunities that young children experience can set the stage for what they will be able to accomplish throughout the rest of their lifetimes.

Position Summary

The Marsico Institute for Early Learning seeks a part-time, benefited Research Associate to support several grants and contracts, with a focus on advancing inclusive early childhood STEM education. The Research Associate role will include, but is not limited to, developing inclusive STEM instructional materials, field testing inclusive STEM investigations with children birth to five, engaging in STEM research, analyzing and organizing data, providing technical assistance, and supporting all existing projects in promoting inclusion. The Research Associate will report to the designated lead for each grant and contract they will support. The Research Associate must be available to work shifts between 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday at least 3 days a week.

Essential Functions

Development of Educational Tools and Resources:

• Develop knowledge building supports for implementation of science, technology, and engineering learning trajectories including implementation supports based on identified needs, video exemplars and implementation guides.
• Contribute to the creation and adaptation of instructional content with a focus on both the implementation of inclusive practices as well as the learning trajectories approach.
• Provide technical expertise in regards to inclusion and accessibility for the creation of web content and other digital platforms.

Research Activities:

• Collect, analyze, and interpret data related to early childhood STEM education.
• Organize data across multiple platforms ensuring confidentiality and accuracy.
• Support data collection and management efforts, including cleaning, coding, and entering data.
• Contribute to scholarly and research writing efforts, including literature reviews, synthesis of findings, and preparation of research-related materials.

Collaboration and Teamwork:

• Work closely with internal research teams to align efforts and share findings.
• Collaborate with external partners, including academic institutions, industry partners, and community organizations.
• Engage in interdisciplinary discussions and brainstorming sessions.

Technical Assistance and Service Development:

• Plan for and conduct technical assistance for early childhood education programs
• Implement educational and training programs for various audiences.
• Engage in technical assistance activities focused on using early intervention coaching strategies to support embedding STEM within everyday activities for infants and toddlers and implementing the learning trajectory approach within center-based programs.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Knowledge of early childhood special education practices
• Knowledge of early childhood STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) domains.
• Experience with development of inclusive educational content
• Exceptional writing skills
• Experience with data collection and analysis
• Excellent classroom management skills
• Ability to work with children of varying abilities and adapt content in the moment to allow for the greatest access to the content
• Ability to develop rapport with both children and educational staff
• Strong ability to engage, collaborate, and build relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders, including academic institutions, industry partners, and community organizations.
• Close attention to detail
• Excellent time management and organizational skills
• Capability to successfully work both independently and as part of a team
• Adaptability to shift priorities as needed

Required Qualifications

• Masters degree or equivalent
• Professional License/Certification (specify area): Early Childhood Special Education
• Work experience- Minimum of 5 years

Preferred Qualifications

• Work experience - Minimum of 8 years

Working Environment

• Standard office environment.
• Unexpected interruptions occur often and stress level is moderate to high.
• Noise level is quiet to moderate.

Physical Activities

• Ability to work in front of a computer for extended periods of time.
• Occasionally required to move about the office/campus.

Work Schedule

The Research Associate must be available to work shifts between 8:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday through Friday at least 3 days a week.

Application Deadline

For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) August 10, 2026.

Special Instructions

Candidates must apply online through jobs.du.edu to be considered. Only applications submitted online will be accepted.

Salary Grade Number:

The salary grade for the position is 10.

Hourly Range:

The hourly range for the position is $30.00-$33.00.

The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass.

The University of Denver is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital, family, or parental status, pregnancy or related conditions, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran. The University of Denver does not discriminate and prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, ancestry, age, religion, creed, disability, sex (including sex stereotypes, sex characteristics, sexual orientation, gender identity, and gender expression), marital family, and parental status, pregnancy, genetic information, military enlistment, or veteran status, and any other class of individuals protected from discrimination under federal, state, or local law, regulation, or ordinance in any of the University's educational programs and activities, and in the employment (including application for employment) and admissions (including application for admission) context, as required by Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Americans with Disabilities Act; Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; Title VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975; the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967; the Equal Pay Act; the Colorado Equal Pay for Equal Work Act; the Colorado Protecting Opportunities and Worker's Rights ("POWR") Act; and any other federal, state, and local laws, regulations, or ordinances that prohibit discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. For more information, please see the University of Denver's Non‑Discrimination‑Statement.

All offers of employment are contingent upon satisfactory completion of a criminal history and National Sex Offender Registry background check.