University of Colorado Anschutz
Department: Environmental & Occupational Health, Centers for Health, Work & Environment
Job Title: Open Rank - Research Scientist or Senior Research Scientist
Job Summary:
This is a full-time open-rank position at either the Research Scientist or Senior Research Scientist level, depending on the candidate's qualifications and experience. The position is based at the Colorado School of Public Health (ColoradoSPH), Centers for Health, Work & Environment (CHWE).
The Centers for Health, Work & Environment (CHWE) at the Colorado School of Public Health conducts research, offers education and training, and implements community-based public health projects with the mission of improving the health, safety and well-being of workers, their families, and communities both domestically and internationally. We invite applicants who are eager to become part of a vibrant academic center. We are seeking a highly motivated and versatile Research Scientist (or Senior Research Scientist) to serve in the role of an Industrial Hygienist, conducting occupational and environmental research that is especially applicable to the understanding and preventing the impacts of climate and other environmental hazards on worker health and safety. Competitive candidates will have a track record of conducting and publishing rigorous research in the field of industrial hygiene and exposure by health effects related to workforces in low and middle income countries.
Candidates will have a great opportunity to join a community of researchers and public health practitioners who conduct cutting-edge research in a setting that takes pride in its supportive culture. This position will have opportunities to engage with faculty, staff, and students conducting international and domestic research on impacts of climate on working populations experiencing vulnerability, implementation research in Occupational Health and Safety, and Total Worker Health®. The Center is home to two NIOSH-funded Centers: the Mountain and Plains Education and Research Center (MAP ERC) and the Center for Health Work & Environment, a NIOSH Total Worker Health Center of Excellence.
Key Responsibilities:
This person will spend 85 to 100% of their time conducting research, with the possibility of contributing 10-15% of their effort to the teaching mission of the Centers, Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, and Colorado School of Public Health.
• Conduct research-grade workplace exposure assessments for chemical, physical, and biological hazards such as solvents, particulate matter, dust, noise, heat, radiation, mold, or infectious agent
• Participate in international research that requires travel to Latin America for one- to two-week periods multiple times per year based on research protocol need
• Participate on (or for Senior Research Scientist, lead) exposure assessment teams as part of the CHWE international research team
• Develop and maintain the CHWE industrial hygiene program, including management of essential equipment and supplies to support grant-funded research protocols.
• Establish SOPs and protocols including meticulous attention to data collection, recordkeeping, and integration into data systems in a team science environment.
• Contribute to the design, writing, submission, and publication of peer-reviewed research manuscripts and grants regarding exposures and health effects. In the case of Senior Research Scientist, this may include leadership in the preparation of manuscripts, presentations and grant applications.
• Present research at regional, national, and international meeting
• Optional: Teach exposure science/industrial hygiene/safety courses and content in the Colorado School of Public Health
Work Location:
Hybrid - this role is eligible for a hybrid schedule of a minimum of 3 days per week on campus and as needed for in-person meetings. Must be willing and able to travel off-campus, including availability to work internationally (especially Latin America) for periods of 1-2 weeks at a time, multiple times a year based on research needs.
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications:
Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.
This is an open rank position and could be classified as Research Scientist or Senior Research Scientist based on experience and qualifications as indicated below:
Research Scientist:
• A Master's degree in Industrial Hygiene, or another closely related field/concentration such as occupational or environmental health, exposure science, or engineering.
• A minimum of 2 years of professional experience.
• Experience in participating in conduct of international research assessing environmental exposures and hazards.
Senior Research Scientist:
• A PhD in Industrial Hygiene or another closely related field/concentration such as occupational or environmental health sciences, exposure science, or engineering.
• Experience in leading teams in the performance of industrial hygiene research or services/practice.
• A minimum of 2 years of professional experience.
• Experience in participating in conduct of international research assessing environmental exposures and hazards.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Certification in Industrial Hygiene (CIH)
• Spanish language proficiency at a conversational level
• Proficiency with data collection and analysis software such as RedCAP, R, SAS, STATA, Excel
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
Knowledge
• Technical knowledge of the principles of industrial hygiene, exposure science, occupational health and safety, toxicology as well as the ability to convey that knowledge to other
• Scientific knowledge: how to identify and understand gaps in research and the principles of study design, methods, data collection, data analysis, interpretation.
• Familiarity with applicable workplace health and safety regulations and recognized exposure guidelines.
Skills
Skills include proficient manual and verbal manipulation of industrial hygiene instruments and management and manipulation of data, including:
Technical:
• Hazard recognition, sampling strategy, instrument use, exposure assessment, control selection, and understanding of toxicology, occupational health, and personal protective equipment
Analytic:
• Interpreting measurements and laboratory results, identifying trends, summarizing results and drawing conclusions based on quantitative and qualitative data
• Applying AI and machine learning technologies as appropriate
• Calibration and maintenance of industrial hygiene/exposure assessment equipment and supplies.
Problem-solving:
• Tailoring sampling strategies, field methods, and recommended changes to work practices and research protocols by balancing health protection, research rigor, feasibility, and operational need
Collaboration:
• Working effectively with employers, workers, research study subjects, and research collaborator
• Mentoring graduate students and junior faculty member
Communication:
• Writing concise reports and explaining technical details clearly to collaborator
• Contributing to the writing of research manuscripts and grant application
• Actively participating on interdisciplinary research and public health practice team
• Teaching students at the graduate level, residents, and postgraduate level trainee
Professional practice:
• Attention to detail, ensuring data integrity and completeness, quality assurance, ethical conduct
• Demonstrating consideration and empathy for study participants, collaborators and other stakeholder
Abilities
• Establish and maintain an exposure science unit in CHWE, including identifying essential equipment and supplies for research studies and assessing equipment performance, calibration, and maintenance.
• Execute exposure assessment/industrial hygiene protocols in field settings including in rural/agricultural communities and businesses in Latin America and U.S.
• Serve as an exposure science/industrial hygiene consultant to collaborators, industries, companie
• Analyze research data, prepare necessary graphs and tables, and collaborate writing rigorous research publications and grant application
• Prepare and deliver community-facing presentations for different audiences ranging from scientific conferences to meetings with employers, workers, and other stakeholder
• For Senior Research Scientists, demonstrated ability to lead a team in the performance of complex, field based research protocols both domestically and internationally.
How to Apply:
For full consideration, please submit the following document(s):
1. A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position
2. Curriculum vitae / Resume
3. Five professional references including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email addre
Applications are accepted electronically ONLY at www.cu.edu/cu-careers.
Questions should be directed to: Lyndsay Krisher, Lyndsay.krisher@cuanschutz.edu
Screening of Applications Begins:
Immediately and continues until 11/3/2026.
Anticipated Pay Range:
The starting salary range (or hiring range) for this position has been established as HIRING RANGE:
Research Scientist: $80,000 to $95,000
Senior Research Scientist: $100,000 to $110,000
The above salary range (or hiring range) represents the University's good faith and reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation at the time of posting. This position is not eligible for overtime compensation unless it is non-exempt.
Your total compensation goes beyond the number on your paycheck. The University of Colorado provides generous leave, health plans and retirement contributions that add to your bottom line.
Total Compensation Calculator: http://www.cu.edu/node/153125
