Partner and Grant Research Assistant with PhET Interactive Simulations

University of Colorado System; Allenspark (CO); Remote; USD 25,000 - 30,000; Part time

Benefits offered by this job

Remote in United States

20 hours per week (potential to expand

40 hours/week potential

Job summary

PhET Interactive Simulations at the University of Colorado Boulder is seeking a detail-oriented Partner and Grant Research Assistant to support data management, partner records, and grant processes. This entry-level, part-time, hourly role offers remote work within the United States and 20 hours per week with potential to expand to 40 hours.

You'll work closely with leadership and interact with current and prospective partners, compiling reports and surveys to inform program decisions and funder

Qualifications

• High school diploma, GED, or 4+ years of professional work experience.
• Excellent written communication and computer skills.
• Self-directed with strong organizational abilities and multitasking.
• Interest in education, education technology, and partnerships.

Responsibilities

• Research, organize, and document partner and program information in databases and spreadsheets.
• Review and validate data for accuracy and integrity.
• Design, administer, and analyze partner and user surveys and summarize results.
• Compile reports to inform program decisions and funder reporting.
• Identify prospective partners and new funding opportunities.
• Collaborate to document data, processes, and workflows.
• Support partner and project coordination and communications.
• Assist with other research and grant tasks as needed.

Skills

Strong written communication

Detail oriented

Organizational skills

Self-directed

Data management

Education

High school diploma or GED or 4+ years experience

Tools

Google Suite

MS Office Suite

Slack

Salesforce

Grafana

DocuSign

Job description

Job Summary

PhET Interactive Simulations at the University of Colorado Boulder creates free, research-based interactive simulations for science and math that are used by millions of students and teachers around the world. PhET is seeking a detail-oriented Partner and Grant Research Assistant to support partner and grant processes, data management, and data analysis for the PhET project. This is an entry-level, part-time, hourly, remote position. It is well suited to someone who enjoys working carefully with data and documents, has an interest in education, and wants hands‑on experience with how a nonprofit education technology and research organization sustains its work through partnerships and grants. The assistant will focus on documenting, maintaining, and analyzing data and records in support of PhET's partnership and grant programs.

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.

Who We Are

Founded in 2002 by Nobel Laureate Carl Wieman, the PhET Interactive Simulations project at the University of Colorado Boulder is a world leader in the design and use of interactive math and science simulations for advancing STEM education. The PhET team is dedicated to high-quality STEM education for all students, disseminating PhET simulations as open (free) educational resources globally and pioneering approaches for making interactive content accessible to all learners. Today, PhET simulations are used more than 250 million times per year globally and are available in more than 100 languages. PhET sustains this work through a combination of grants, philanthropic support, and partnerships with more than 70 education technology companies and organizations that integrate PhET simulations into their products.

The PhET team is a passionate, creative, and productive group, including STEM education, simulation, and inclusive design experts, education researchers, software engineers, quality assurance specialists, business strategy and operations specialists, and more. Our project is a blend of an academic research project, an outreach project, and an innovative education technology company, housed within the Department of Physics and working with diverse partners at CU Boulder and around the world. PhET's work has received numerous international awards, including the 2019 OpenEducation Global Award, the 2018 American Physical Society Excellence in Physics Education Award, and a 2017 WISE Award.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

The applicant will join the vibrant and productive PhET team, working closely with and reporting to PhET's Director of Partnerships and Licensing. The applicant will also collaborate with the broader leadership team, including PhET's Executive Director, Director of Global Initiatives, Director of Business Strategy and Development, and Business Manager, and will interface with current and prospective partners.

Key Responsibilities

• Research, organize, and document partner and program information in databases, spreadsheets, and internal systems
• Review and validate data to ensure accuracy, consistency, and integrity
• Help design, administer, and analyze partner and user surveys, and summarize the results for the team
• Compile reports and summaries from data to inform program decisions and funder reporting
• Research prospective partners and new partnership, grant, and funding opportunities
• Collaborate with team members to gather, clarify, and document data, processes, and workflows
• Assist with partner and project coordination, including partner follow-up and communications
• Assist with other research and grant tasks as needed

What We Can Offer

• This is an hourly position, with an expectation of 20 hours per week, and the possibility of an expanded role (up to 40 hours/week).
• Flexible start date between December 1, 2026 and February 1, 2027.
• Hourly wage - $18.50-$22.00/hour. Wage is commensurate with education and experience.
• Candidates can work remotely in the United States.
• Candidates must be eligible to work in the U.S.

Benefits

At the University of Colorado Boulder, we are committed to supporting the holistic health and well-being of our employees. Our comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, and retirement plans; generous paid time off; tuition assistance for you and your dependents; and an ECO Pass for local transit. As one of Boulder County’s largest employers, CU Boulder offers an inspiring academic community and access to world‑class outdoor recreation. In fact, CU Boulder has been named one of Forbes' America's Best Large Employers, ranking #4 among large employers in Colorado and #28 among universities nationwide. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.

Be Statements

Be dynamic. Be pioneering. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• High school diploma, GED, or 4+ years of professional work experience
• Strong written communication, computer, and typing skills
• Self‑directed and comfortable managing your own workload
• Detail oriented and demonstrated ability to be highly organized, skilled at multi‑tasking, and able to complete projects in a timely manner
• Demonstrated interest in education, education technology, and/or education partnerships, with a passion for science and math education

What You Will Need

• Outstanding organizational skills
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, when working with others.
• Strong skills and significant experience with Google Suite and MS Office Suite, particularly working with spreadsheets and documents.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Ability to quickly learn new business tools and processes, including Slack, Salesforce, Grafana, and DocuSign.
• Ability to participate in and help foster an inclusive and collaborative environment that values learning, growth, and continuous improvement.
• Enthusiasm for the mission of the PhET Project

What We Would Like You to Have

• Experience with Google Forms, Qualtrics, or other survey tools.
• Experience with Salesforce or similar account and data management tools
• Familiarity with education technology and products.
• Passion for science and math education.
• Demonstrated discretion when handling sensitive or confidential data
• Ability to handle personally identifiable information (PII) with strict confidentiality