Senior Research Scientist Part-time

Job Description

Position Summary:

The Senior Research Scientist will be expected to develop and manage a portfolio of externally funded research projects with a variety of funders (e.g., federal agencies, local government, private industry, and foundations). Collaborating with other directors, research scientists, and project managers, they will identify funding opportunities and lead the proposal writing for external funding. They will collaborate with institute leadership as appropriate for general strategy, research design, and general oversight, especially when decisions may have a significate impact on the project deliverables, the client relationship, or the unit as a whole.

They will serve as the PI on multiple externally funded research projects and will provide research and technical assistance to institute staff and interns, including on projects they are not identified as the PI. They will support all Research Scientist positions, advising and mentoring their research, publication, and public presentation activities required for advancement and promotion.

Other leadership responsibilities include participating in a variety of unit meetings (e.g., coordination, leadership, advancement circles). This is a role that helps shape the future of IBE, how IBE is seen within the college, the university, and the community, which are all relationships that IBE carefully cultivates. This role interacts with other departments and other colleges in the University as well as with clients and grantors.

They will write and submit papers to refereed journals, present papers and keynotes at national conferences and scientific meetings and provide service to national or international organizations and review groups.

They will be required to make day-to-day management and resource allocation decisions based on project budgets and scopes. They are responsible for managing their time and that of any staff working on a given project, as well as the project budget.

Full Consideration Date:

April 27, 2026 11:59pm (MT)

Description of Work Unit:

The Institute for the Built Environment (IBE) is housed within the College of Health and Human Sciences at Colorado State University (CSU). IBE is an interdisciplinary group of faculty, students and staff who focus on social and environmental sustainability through the built environment. IBE specializes in program development and management for public and private sector clients for individual buildings, whole organizations, organizational programs, and at the neighborhood or community scale. IBE provides thought leadership, services, research, and education centered around community engagement, facilitation, healthy green buildings, custom sustainability programs, social science, and regenerative development.

For more information visit: https://ibe.colostate.edu/

Essential Job Duties:

• Develop and lead externally funded research programs by identifying funding opportunities, cultivating relationships with public, private, and nonprofit funders, and leading proposal development, including scoping, budgeting, and narrative writing, to advance IBE’s mission and research agenda.

• Direct and manage a portfolio of complex, externally funded research projects by serving as Principal Investigator, providing scientific leadership, establishing research methodologies, and ensuring projects remain on scope, on schedule, and on budget.

• Ensure regulatory and institutional compliance by overseeing adherence to federal, state, and university requirements (e.g., human subjects review, purchasing, budgeting, cybersecurity), ensuring that research activities meet ethical, legal, and contractual standards.

• Provide research leadership, mentorship, and technical expertise by supervising and advising research scientists, staff, and student interns; supporting their research design, data analysis, publications, and professional presentations; and contributing expertise across projects beyond those formally led as PI.

• Disseminate research and serve as a scholarly leader by publishing in peer‑reviewed journals, presenting at national and international conferences, delivering keynotes or training sessions, and representing IBE in professional, academic, and community forums.

• Contribute to institute leadership and strategic planning by participating in coordination meetings, leadership groups, and advancement efforts; supporting the development of IBE’s long‑term research direction; and strengthening relationships across the university, with clients, and with external partners.

• Perform other related duties necessary to support the successful execution of IBE’s research mission, operations, and strategic goals.

Conditions of Employment:

• Standard Pre-employment Background Check

Supervision:

• 389581 Organizational Sustainability Manager, Research Scientist II (1 FTE)

Minimum Qualifications:

• PhD and at least 12 years of experience in related field (Construction management, Sociology, Organizational Leadership, Interior Design, etc.)

• Record of peer-reviewed publications commensurate with rank of full professor

• Record of multiple external grant awards as PI or Co-PI

• Demonstrated leadership experience in academic research position (e.g., as the PI leading multiple or complex grants, or serving as director for a research institute)

• Experience in researching sustainable/green/healthy built environments

• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience using and teaching multiple types of social science data collection methods (e.g., qualitative analysis, social network analysis, survey design)

• Social science data analysis

• Data visualization skills and science communication skills

• Background in organizational development, culture, and/or human behavior, including facilitation experience

• Demonstrated ability and interest in mentoring and managing junior staff and/or students

• Professional consulting experience including scope and budget development and management, project management software, detailed time tracking, and invoicing

• Evidence of a related professional network

Salary Range

$145,000-$160,000

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. (http://hr.colostate.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/25/2021/01/benefits-summary-afap.pdf)

• Explore the additional perks of working at CSU here.

• For the total value of CSU benefits in addition to wages, use our compensation calculator. (http://hr.colostate.edu/total-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.

Inspired by its land-grant heritage, Colorado State University is committed to excellence and engagement, setting the standard for public research universities in teaching, research, service and extension for the benefit of the citizens of Colorado, the United States, and the world.

Prospective Employees, click here to learn more about CSU’s perks and purpose. (https://hr.colostate.edu/prospective-employees/)

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