What are the responsibilities and job description for the CIRES / Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology/Copley Lab, Research Scientist I position at University of Colorado Boulder?
Summary
Job Summary
The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado at Boulder (CU Boulder) encourages applications for a Research Associate in Evolutionary Microbiology. The Research Associate will contribute to an ongoing project that examines the evolution of novel metabolic pathways and how different microorganisms respond to the same evolutionary challenge.
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
CIRES is an internationally recognized leader in innovative environmental science and research and is located at the University of Colorado Boulder. At CIRES, more than 900 environmental science professionals work to understand the dynamic Earth system, including people’s relationship with the planet. CIRES has partnered with NOAA since 1967, and our areas of expertise include weather and climate, changes at Earth’s poles, air quality and atmospheric chemistry, water resources, solid Earth sciences, and more. Our vision is to be instrumental in ensuring a sustainable future environment by advancing scientific and societal understanding of the Earth system.
Housed in the Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology (MCDB) department, the Copley lab’s research centers on the molecular evolution of catalysts and metabolic pathways. Enzymes in metabolic pathways are superb catalysts, accelerating chemical reactions by up to 16 orders of magnitude. Many enzymes also catalyze adventitious secondary reactions, simply because active sites are loaded with highly reactive acids, bases, nucleophiles, metal ions, and cofactors. Although these “promiscuous” activities are inefficient, they provide a repertoire of activities that can be drawn upon if conditions change and catalysis of a secondary reaction becomes important for fitness. Projects in the lab seek to identify biochemical and physiological factors that influence the potential for evolution of novel activities from promiscuous enzymes. Other projects focus on the assembly of promiscuous activities into novel combinations that allow microbes to degrade a novel carbon source or bypass a metabolic block caused by a genetic lesion.
Responsibilities
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
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. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.
Be Statements
Be excited. Be willing. Be Boulder.
What We Require
Please note that while the position details both required and preferred skills and experience, we invite applicants to apply even if they do not have the preferred skills and experience outlined in this section. If you meet the requirements and have passion for the work, you are encouraged to apply. We encourage on the job training for any additional skills or knowledge that become relevant to the position.
To Apply, Please Submit The Following Materials
We may request references at a later time.
Please apply by July 10, 2026 for consideration.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs .
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
Job Summary
The Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) at the University of Colorado at Boulder (CU Boulder) encourages applications for a Research Associate in Evolutionary Microbiology. The Research Associate will contribute to an ongoing project that examines the evolution of novel metabolic pathways and how different microorganisms respond to the same evolutionary challenge.
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
CIRES is an internationally recognized leader in innovative environmental science and research and is located at the University of Colorado Boulder. At CIRES, more than 900 environmental science professionals work to understand the dynamic Earth system, including people’s relationship with the planet. CIRES has partnered with NOAA since 1967, and our areas of expertise include weather and climate, changes at Earth’s poles, air quality and atmospheric chemistry, water resources, solid Earth sciences, and more. Our vision is to be instrumental in ensuring a sustainable future environment by advancing scientific and societal understanding of the Earth system.
Housed in the Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology (MCDB) department, the Copley lab’s research centers on the molecular evolution of catalysts and metabolic pathways. Enzymes in metabolic pathways are superb catalysts, accelerating chemical reactions by up to 16 orders of magnitude. Many enzymes also catalyze adventitious secondary reactions, simply because active sites are loaded with highly reactive acids, bases, nucleophiles, metal ions, and cofactors. Although these “promiscuous” activities are inefficient, they provide a repertoire of activities that can be drawn upon if conditions change and catalysis of a secondary reaction becomes important for fitness. Projects in the lab seek to identify biochemical and physiological factors that influence the potential for evolution of novel activities from promiscuous enzymes. Other projects focus on the assembly of promiscuous activities into novel combinations that allow microbes to degrade a novel carbon source or bypass a metabolic block caused by a genetic lesion.
Responsibilities
What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be
- Purify and assay wild-type and variant enzymes (20%).
- Assess levels of mRNA in parental and evolved strains (10%).
- Delete genes in bacterial strains and characterize effects on growth rate (15%).
- Evolve bacterial strains (20%).
- Sequence the genomes of evolved strains and identify mutations (10%).
- Isolate or construct evolutionary intermediates (15%).
- Prepare figures, tables, materials and methods, and supplementary material for publications (5%).
- Perform other relevant duties as necessary (5%).
- This is a 2-year appointment.
- Given project deliverables, candidates must be able to start work by August 1, 2026.
- Applicants needing visa sponsorship now or in the future are not eligible for this role. Applicants must be authorized to legally work in the United States on a full-time basis.
- CIRES offers a generous and comprehensive compensation package.
- The annual hiring salary range for this position is $72,000 to $84,450. Salary is commensurate with education and experience and determined based on our CIRES internal career track classification.
- CIRES and the University of Colorado Boulder offer a robust training curriculum, opportunities for professional development, and a Mentorship Program.
- Boulder is a vibrant community with access to mountain parks, dog parks, miles of trails, rivers, lakes, cafes, restaurants, boutiques, theaters, museums, and sports venues.
- As an employee at CU Boulder, you receive a pass allowing free access to the regional public transit system , which is an outstanding network of buses and light rail systems that provide service within Boulder and connect to Denver, the Denver airport, and surrounding communities.
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. Explore additional perks and programs through the CU Advantage program.
Be Statements
Be excited. Be willing. Be Boulder.
What We Require
- This position requires a Ph.D. in microbiology, molecular biology or related field.
- At least 5 years of experience in microbiology, molecular biology and bacterial genetics after receipt of the Ph.D.
- At least 3 years of experience in protein purification and enzyme assays using coupled enzyme assays when necessary.
- At least 3 years of experience in editing the genomes of multiple bacterial species.
- Strong knowledge of molecular biology and bacterial metabolism.
- Ability to clone genes and carry out site-directed mutagenesis.
- Ability to accurately measure growth rates of wild-type and mutant bacteria.
- Ability to measure RNA levels by RT-qPCR.
Please note that while the position details both required and preferred skills and experience, we invite applicants to apply even if they do not have the preferred skills and experience outlined in this section. If you meet the requirements and have passion for the work, you are encouraged to apply. We encourage on the job training for any additional skills or knowledge that become relevant to the position.
- A Ph.D. in Microbial and Enzymatic Engineering or Bacterial Genetics.
- 5 years of experience in laboratory evolution of microbes.
To Apply, Please Submit The Following Materials
- Resume or CV.
- Cover letter addressed to the Search Committee briefly describing your qualifications, professional goals, and specific interest in this position.
- If you are identified as a finalist, the search committee will request professional references at a later time.
We may request references at a later time.
Please apply by July 10, 2026 for consideration.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs .
In compliance with the Colorado Job Application Fairness Act, in any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.
Salary : $72,000 - $84,450