Energy Institute Research Associate – Open Pool

Colorado State University; Fort Collins (CO); On-site; USD 65,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

Colorado State University, located in Fort Collins, invites applications for Research Associate roles spanning lab development and software tasks. The position emphasizes field campaigns, data collection and analysis, and the development of cyber-physical testbeds.

Collaboration with faculty, staff, and external partners is key as projects advance. The role requires strong communication, meticulous attention to safety, and experience with mechanical systems or related physical sciences.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with fewer than 3 years of relevant research experience.
• Bachelor’s degree with more than 3 years of relevant experience, or a Master’s degree.
• Bachelor’s degree with at least 5 years of relevant experience, or a Master’s with 2+ years; PhD may be at level III.
• Detail-oriented with high level of attention to safe operation of laboratory and industrial equipment.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong physical science background focused on mechanical systems, fluids, and gases.
• Ability to interact effectively with researchers, faculty, and students for advising and troubleshooting.

Responsibilities

• Day-to-day operations for research efforts including lab systems and digital twins.
• Participate in field measurement campaigns.
• Design and fabricate experimental cyber-physical systems and manage testing.
• Develop written instrumentation and data collection practices.
• Contribute to early-stage design, scope, and budget for experiments; write papers and reports.
• Lead research projects with minimal oversight, present results at forums.

Skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Mechanical systems

Data analysis

Troubleshooting

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree

Master’s degree

PhD

Tools

Digital twin modeling

Laboratory instrumentation

Data logging equipment

Software development

Simulation software

Job description

Job Description

This position resides at the Powerhouse Energy Campus and METEC facility, both of which are industrial working environments. Research Associates from level I-III will collaborate with project coordinator(s), Senior Research Associates, Directors and Research Scientists to conduct research efforts including field work to assess emissions at a variety of locations, analysis of data, and/or the development of simulation software.

Additionally, the Research Associates will foster relationships with customers and other research groups engaged in collaborative projects. The roles will build strong and positive working relationships with staff, unit directors, researchers, campus faculty and administrators, as well as external community and business partners as required with each project grant. Occasional travel and working non-standard hours are expected. The Research Associates I, II, or III will support other organizational priorities, as defined by the director of the Zimmerle Research Group.

Department Website : https://energy.colostate.edu/, https://metec.colostate.edu/

Essential Job Duties:

• Responsible for the day-to‑day operations for research efforts. This includes but is not limited to construction and maintenance of physical laboratory systems, and/or construction and maintenance of digital twin models of these systems. Tasks include design, maintenance, and operations of experiments and actively participating in research efforts.

• Participation in field measurement campaigns may be required.

• Participate in design and fabrication of experimental cyber-physical experiments and understand the impacts to data collection and analysis. Job drives all activities related to complete segments of testing and development for 1-3 projects simultaneously with minimal oversight.

• Collaborate with colleagues to develop written instrumentation and data collection practices, standard protocols and manuals.

• Contribute to early‑stage design, scope development, and budget construction of experimental systems.Assist in writing papers, reports and otherwise disseminating research results.

• Facilitate and/or lead research projects with minimal day‑to‑day oversight from the supervising scientist, including experimental planning, data collection, project data analysis, and publication efforts. Present results of research at appropriate forums.

Salary Range:

$65,000-$110,000

Supervision:

• This position supervises graduate and undergraduate research assistants and provides supervision for clients and affiliated staff while conducting testing scenarios during field campaigns.

Minimum Qualifications:

Research Associate Minimum Qualifications by level:

• Research Associate I: Bachelor’s degree and fewer than 3 years of relevant, post-baccalaureate professional research experience.
• Research Associate II: Bachelor’s degree with more than 3 years of relevant professional research experience, or a Master’s degree.
• Research Associate III: Bachelor’s degree with at least 5 years of relevant professional research experience, or a Master’s degree with at least 2 years of experience.
• Individuals with a PhD and no prior experience may be appointed at the Research Associate III level, if appropriate.

Additional Minimum Qualifications for all levels:

• Detail-oriented with high level of attention to safe operation of laboratory and industrial equipment.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

• Strong physical science background focused on mechanical system, fluids, and gasses.

• Demonstrated ability to interact effectively with researchers, faculty, and students for advising and troubleshooting as well as ability to explain complex procedures.

Jobs in pool will be split between hands‑on laboratory development, and related software development. Candidates should have peak strength in at least one of the two areas.

Laboratory development:

• Experience with pressurized gas systems.
• Experience acquiring, analyzing, and doing quality control on large data sets, including statistical analyses.
• Experience with instrumentation, data loggers, sensors (acquisition, installation, application, calibration, recording), and controls.
• Demonstratable ability to troubleshoot, debug and repair hardware systems.
• Experience with installation, configuration, calibration, operation of scientific instrumentation.

Laboratory software:

• Experience developing custom software to acquire, analyze, and automate analysis tasks.
• Experience with statistical and/or AI analysis methods.
• Experience with computer simulation of dynamic physical systems.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Prior coursework or research experience in a mechanical, chemical, or petroleum engineering or related field with strong physical science background.
• Prior coursework or research experience in operation of industrial facilities, especially oil and gas facilities.
• Experience with laboratory, field, or computational research methods.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a research environment.
• Experience with data analysis, scientific writing, or specialized research techniques.

Conditions of Employment:

• Applicant must be authorization to work in the United States without the need for visa sponsorship.
• Pre-employment Background Check-motor vehicle.
• Occasional travel.
• Work during non-standard hours is expected.

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,CSUis 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,CSUconducts 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.