The Colorado Evaluation and Action Lab at the University of Denver (DU) was created under the leadership of the Governor’s Office to unlock data-informed solutions to our most pressing social problems. Working together with a broad range of government and community partners, we conduct research with rigor to obtain the best available evidence to inform policies, programs, and investments. Our goal is to leverage data to inform policy and practice, set the wheels in motion to achieve and sustain change, and position our partners to pursue additional, meaningful change for the communities they serve with the guidance of eight essential elements: Prioritize Relationships, Learn Together, Apply Rigor, Activate Findings, Sustain Change, Make Connections, Welcome Risk for Reward, and act as a Bridge to the Research Community.

The Colorado Lab team currently consists of management, research teams, Evidence-Building Hub teams, the Linked Information Network of Colorado (LINC) team, and the operations team. The Colorado Lab also works closely with a network of affiliated researchers and evaluation teams throughout the state. Colorado Lab staff are required to possess a solid intuitive understanding of research and evaluation methods and strong written and oral communication skills for explaining technical topics to non-experts. Staff members are expected to engage in a collaborative learning environment where employees are highly responsive to each other as well as to government and research partners. Staff hold themselves and each other responsible for completing high quality, well-documented work in a timely fashion. The Colorado Lab seeks to add one additional staff member at the Senior Researcher level.

Position Summary

The Colorado Lab seeks to hire a Senior Researcher. This position will report to the Deputy Executive Director.

Essential Functions

• Productively engage in reciprocal partnerships with governmental agencies and external researchers. The Colorado Lab is highly interactive with policymakers, and all staff are expected to play a role in supporting this value.
• Develop analysis plans for a variety of research designs, including causal evaluations.
• Complete a variety of analytic tasks, including data management and analysis, based on a project plan, recommending deviations from the plan as appropriate.
• Shepherd projects through the Institutional Review Board process.
• Develop deliverables matched to project goals (e.g., research reports, infographics, program implementation guides, fidelity monitoring tools, and legislative reports).
• Effectively communicate orally and in writing to a non-technical audience about technical analytic and policy issues. Develop data visualizations. Develop content for layered communication such as executive summaries, factsheets, social media messaging.
• Translate policy or practice questions into rigorous research designs. Engage government partners in this process to ensure research designs are matched to decision-making goals.
• At the request of Project Directors or Management Team, support the development of grant proposals; however, fundraising and new project development is not a primary responsibility for this role.
• Provide project-specific mentorship for staff researchers.
• Engage in other duties as necessary, requested, and appropriate to support the mission of the Colorado Lab.

Depending on experience and complexity of the project, the Sr. Researcher will take on one or more of the following roles within a project: project director, project manager, and/or researcher.  Read more about these roles here.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Demonstrated passion for improving government performance and addressing complex social problems.
• Excellence in both written and oral communications.
• Experience with technical writing for peers, policy memos for policymakers and practitioners, slide decks, and public speaking.
• Exceptional project management capabilities and creativity in problem solving.
• Outstanding quantitative and analytical skills, including making and documenting decisions about how to match analysis to research design when data are missing, baseline equivalence is not met, or there are other limitations to the data.
• Experience using a variety of statistical programs (e.g., STATA, R, SPSS, SAS).
• Experience generating and/or using data to drive insights and action.
• Track record of adeptly navigating complex organizations, developing trust with senior leaders, and building relationships among diverse groups of stakeholders.
• Self-motivated with an orientation towards results achieved through a collaborative process and a track record of driving results with limited supervisory direction.
• Eagerness to learn, attention to detail, and ability to multi-task.

Required Qualifications

• PhD in public policy, public health, anthropology, sociology, economics, criminal justice, law, or a related field; and three years of experience leading research projects (e.g., principal investigator, co-principal investigator, lead evaluator); OR
• Master’s degree in public policy, public health, anthropology, sociology, economics, criminal justice, law, or a related field; and five years of experience with leadership roles in research projects); AND
• In-depth knowledge of at least one major area of domestic social policy (e.g., education, child welfare, criminal justice, health care).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in implementation science.
• Expertise in causal research studies.
• Experience in data visualization.
• Track record of leading complex research projects aligned with government partner’s decision-making goals.
• Experience working with local, state, or federal government.
• Experience working with large administrative datasets.
• Experience working with government and the policy-making process.
• Demonstrable experience working with diverse communities and populations.

Working Environment

1. Standard office environment.
2. Unexpected interruptions occur often, and stress level is moderate to high.
3. Noise level is quiet to moderate.

Physical Activities

1. Ability to sit in front of a computer for an extended period of time.
2. Occasionally required to move about the office/campus with the capability of transporting objects up to 20 lbs.

Work Schedule

Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. MST. Must be based in Denver region with a balance of virtual and in-person work.

Application Deadline

For consideration, please submit your application materials by 4:00 p.m. (MST) November 14, 2024.

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 12.

Salary Range:

The salary range for this position is $85,000 - $95,000.

The University of Denver has provided a compensation range that represents its good faith estimate of what the University may pay for the position at the time of posting. The University may ultimately pay more or less than the posted compensation range. The salary offered to the selected candidate will be determined based on factors such as the qualifications of the selected candidate, departmental budget availability, internal salary equity considerations, and available market information, but not based on a candidate’s sex or any other protected status.

Benefits:

The University of Denver offers excellent benefits, including medical, dental, retirement, paid time off, tuition benefit and ECO pass. The University of Denver is a private institution that empowers students who want to make a difference. Learn more about the University of Denver.

Please include the following documents with your application:

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter

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 background check.