Research Specialist

• University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus
• Colorado School of Public Health | Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity & Diabetes (LEAD) Center
• Research Specialist Position #: 759487 – Requisition #: 37980

Job Summary:

Join the Colorado School of Public Health as a Research Specialist (Open Rank Research Services Entry – Intermediate Professional). This position is a key member of the school’s Lifecourse Epidemiology of Adiposity & Diabetes (LEAD) Center that will support data collection efforts for the observational study, SEARCH for Diabetes in Youth CVD Study (SEARCH CVD). The project’s primary aim is to understand and quantify the impact of health disparities on the development of cardiovascular disease risk factors and early cardiovascular disease outcomes among young adults with youth-onset type 1 diabetes.    

The research specialist will assist with the collection of surveys, physical measures, retinal photography, and non-invasive cardiac dysfunction testing, along with support study recruitment and communications. 

Key Responsibilities:

• Conduct in-person research visits with occasional travel for remote data collection at offsite clinics and/or home visits.
• Participant data collection, including surveys, biospecimen, physical measures, retinal photography, and non-invasive cardiac dysfunction testing.
• REDCap data entry
• Participant recruitment and scheduling, including calling, emailing, and texting.
• Blood and biospecimen processing
• This position can be offered as part-time (0.5 FTE) or full-time (1.0 FTE) based on candidate availability. This position reports to the Clinical Research Nurse. 

Work Location:

Why Join Us:

Onsite – This role is expected to work onsite and is located at the CU Anschutz Medical Campus in Aurora, CO.

The Colorado School of Public Health (ColoradoSPH) is a unique and collaborative graduate school that combines the collective expertise of three Colorado universities: the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus (CU Anschutz) in Aurora, Colorado State University (CSU) in Fort Collins, and the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) in Greeley, Colorado. The Colorado School of Public Health is the only accredited school of public health in the Rocky Mountain Region, attracting top tier faculty and students from across the country, and providing a vital contribution towards ensuring our region’s health and wellbeing. The school’s faculty, staff, and students work together to share knowledge and conduct innovative research and community service to actively address public health issues including chronic disease, access to healthcare, environmental threats, emerging infectious diseases, costly injuries, and more.

The LEAD Center represents a collaboration between the ColoradoSPHand the Department of Pediatrics in the School of Medicine. The LEAD Center is a multidisciplinary research center that investigates and seeks to understand the developmental origins of health and disease, particularly obesity, type 1 and type 2 diabetes and the complex interplay of environmental exposures, genetic and epigenetic processes in critical developmental periods across the lifecourse.

Why work for the University?

We have AMAZING benefits and offer exceptional amounts of holiday, vacation and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers an excellent benefits package including:

• Medical: Multiple plan options
• Dental: Multiple plan options
• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision
• Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10% of your gross pay
• Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year
• Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)
• Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)
• Holiday Days: 10/year
• Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all CU campuses
• ECO Pass: Reduced rate RTD Bus and light rail service

There are many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

Qualifications:

Minimum Requirements

Entry Level

• A bachelor’s degree in public health, public administration, social/behavioral sciences, physical sciences, nursing, healthcare, finance, accounting, communications, business administration, business, or a directly related field from an accredited institution.

Intermediate Level

• A bachelor’s degree in public health, public administration, social/behavioral sciences, physical sciences, nursing, healthcare, finance, accounting, communications, business administration, business, or a directly related field from an accredited institution.
• One (1) year of relevant full-time work experience in a research setting
• Substitution: A combination of education and related technical/paraprofessional experience may be substituted for the bachelor’s degree on a year for year basis.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in phlebotomy and blood processing
• Experience with medical record charting
• Experience working with individuals with diabetes
• Experience collecting research data
• Experience in study recruitment or participant/patient communications.
• Experience with REDCap database software

Conditions Of Employment

• Valid driver’s license and ability to drive a rental car
• Work schedule for this position is Sunday-Thursday 7:30am-4pm (if part time, schedule must include Sunday and Monday) and the ability to occasionally accommodate afternoon or early morning visits with notice.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to communicate effectively, both in writing and orally.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees at all levels throughout the institution.
• Demonstrated experience in fostering a community that values a wide range of backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives.
• Ability to implement and closely follow research protocols.
• Ability to communicate clearly the study procedures to participants.
• Ability to understand complex medical terminology, particularly related to diabetes.
• Knowledge of type 1 and 2 diabetes signs, symptoms, management and related health complications, particularly in children and adolescents.
• Knowledge of and experience with possible negative reactions to blood collection, including fainting and nausea.
• Ability to utilize and adapt to various technology/programs needed for recruitment efforts.
• Data collection skills, including survey administration and collection of physical measurements.
• Organizational skills to process lab results.

How To Apply:

For full consideration, please submit the following documents:

1. 1.     Curriculum Vitae / Resume
2. 2.     A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position
3. 3.     Three to five professional references including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email address

Questions should be directed to: Megan Sweany, Megan.Sweany@cuanschutz.edu 

Screening Of Applications Begins:

Screening begins immediately and continues until October 24, 2025.

Anticipated Salary Range:

The starting target salary for this position has been established as:

• Entry Level: $50,000 - $55,000 (1.0 FTE)
• Intermediate Level: $52,721 - $64,000 (1.0 FTE)

The above salary represents the University’s good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position may be eligible for overtime compensation depending on the level.

Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.

Total Compensation Calculator: http://www.cu.edu/node/153125

Equal Opportunity Statement:

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.

As the School of Public Health located within the University of Colorado on the Anschutz Medical Campus, we are committed to developing and sustaining a faculty, staff, and student body that reflects a broad range of backgrounds and perspectives. We advocate for and actively lead efforts and activities to build a community that treats people with dignity, respect, and compassion among the school’s students, staff, faculty, and external community partners.

Ada Statement:

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA Coordinator at hr.adacoordinator@cuanschutz.edu​.

Background Check Statement:

The University of Colorado Denver | Anschutz Medical Campus is dedicated to ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff, students and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we conduct background investigations for all prospective employees.

Vaccination Statement:

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19 virus and other vaccine preventable diseases. If you work, visit, or volunteer in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain research areas or perform certain safety sensitive job duties, you must enroll in the occupational health medical surveillance program.