Job Description

Position Summary

The Research Associate will support interdisciplinary geo-environmental research programs focused on contaminant hydrology and environmental geotechnics, with emphasis on the interactions between soil mechanics, groundwater processes, and environmental systems. The position will assist with laboratory- and field-scale investigations of legacy and emerging contaminants affecting groundwater systems and other subsurface environments, including studies of contaminant fate and transport and remediation approaches such as natural source zone depletion, bioventing, enhanced natural degradation, and oleophilic bio-barriers. The role will also contribute to research related to mining waste and tailings management, including characterization of geomaterials and monitoring of environmental and geotechnical performance of mine waste systems.

Full Consideration Date

April 27, 2026, 11:59pm (MT)

Description of Work Unit

https://www.engr.colostate.edu/ce/

Essential Job Duties:

• Conduct and support laboratory and field-scale geo-environmental research investigating contaminant fate and transport and remediation processes affecting groundwater systems and other subsurface environments, including legacy and emerging contaminants.
• Implement environmental monitoring and field investigations by coordinating sampling logistics, preparing field equipment, and deploying and maintaining environmental monitoring instrumentation, including soil moisture instrumentation and IoT-enabled environmental sensors.
• Perform laboratory preparation and characterization of environmental samples including processing cryogenic soil cores and conducting soil characterization analyses such as soil texture classification and particle size analysis to support groundwater and subsurface remediation studies.
• Assist with environmental data management, analysis, and visualization by organizing datasets and supporting computational and geospatial analysis of environmental monitoring data to inform research findings and project reporting.
• Manage laboratory operations supporting geo-environmental research programs by maintaining laboratory instrumentation, coordinating sample tracking and documentation systems, managing laboratory supplies and safety procedures, and supporting quality assurance and contamination prevention protocols.
• Coordinate research program activities and project logistics by maintaining project schedules, supporting collaboration among faculty, students, and research partners, assisting with research documentation and dissemination activities, and performing other related duties as assigned.

Supervision:

The Research Associate will not directly supervise anyone, rather they will mentor and provide guidance to graduate and undergraduate students.

Conditions of Employment:

• Fully in-person
• Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)

Minimum Qualifications:

• Master of Science degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Hydrologic Sciences, or a closely related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of professional experience in the environmental field, including experience supporting groundwater/subsurface and geo-environmental research.
• Previous experience serving in a laboratory management role, including coordinating laboratory operations, maintaining equipment and supplies, and ensuring compliance with quality assurance and quality control procedures.
• Demonstrated experience supporting laboratory and field investigations related to groundwater systems, contaminant hydrology, or subsurface environmental processes.
• Demonstrated experience processing cryogenic soil cores and preparing subsurface environmental samples for laboratory analysis.
• Experience coordinating field logistics for environmental monitoring or research campaigns, including planning sampling activities, managing field equipment, and maintaining proper documentation of samples and measurements.
• Experience deploying and maintaining environmental monitoring instrumentation, including IoT-enabled environmental sensors used for subsurface or environmental monitoring applications.
• Demonstrated experience conducting soil moisture sampling using field instrumentation.
• Experience applying soil characterization methods, including soil texture classification and particle size analysis using sieve or hydrometer techniques.
• Demonstrated proficiency with computational and analytical tools commonly used in environmental and hydrologic research, including MATLAB and Python for data analysis and modeling, AutoCAD for technical visualization or design tasks, and ArcGIS for geospatial analysis and environmental mapping.
• Demonstrated written and verbal communication skills, including evidence of scholarly communication through authorship or co-authorship of peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, or conference presentations.
• Previous teaching or instructional experience in an academic or educational setting.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting laboratory- and field-scale remediation research, including studies of contaminant fate and transport in groundwater and subsurface environments.
• Experience working with legacy and emerging contaminants, such as petroleum hydrocarbons or PFAS, including laboratory or field investigations related to contaminant transport and remediation processes.
• Experience supporting research on subsurface remediation approaches, such as natural source zone depletion (NSZD), bioventing, enhanced natural degradation, or oleophilic bio-barriers.
• Experience conducting field-based environmental monitoring campaigns, including deployment and management of environmental monitoring systems and environmental sensor networks.
• Experience with IoT-based environmental monitoring systems, including configuration, maintenance, or data management associated with sensor networks used in environmental research.
• Experience supporting geo-environmental or geotechnical research related to mining waste or tailings management, including characterization of geomaterials or monitoring of tailings facilities.
• Experience supporting interdisciplinary research teams, including coordination of field campaigns, laboratory activities, or research logistics across multiple collaborators.
• Experience assisting with research dissemination, including preparation of figures, reports, technical documents, or presentations for scientific conferences.

Salary Range

$70,000-$75,000

Required Application Documents

To apply, please upload the following applicant documents. Ensure your materials fully address the required and preferred job qualifications of the position. Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.Cover Letter, Resume/CV

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

• Review our detailed benefits information here.
• Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.
• For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator.
• Lastly, click here for more information about why Fort Collins is consistently ranked in the top cities to live in!

Background Check Policy Statement

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and/or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

EEO

Colorado State University (CSU) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.