Job Details

Research Lab Manager

Position Number: 6830351
Location: Boulder, CO
Position Type: Laboratory and Research

Research Lab Manager

Requisition Number: 69272
Location: Boulder Colorado
Employment Type: Research Faculty
Schedule: Part Time
Posting Close Date:
Date Posted:

Job Summary

The Gil Lab in the Department of Ecology & Evolutionary Biology at the University of Colorado Boulder is seeking a highly organized, technically capable, and collaborative Research Lab Manager to serve as the central coordinator for an active, interdisciplinary research group studying animal behavior, movement ecology, and coral reef ecosystems.
Our lab focuses on quantitative behavioral ecology. We aim to rigorously and mechanistically understand how animals make decisions in the wild-such as where to move, forage, or seek refuge-and to integrate this empirical understanding into larger-scale and longer-term theoretical models. Ultimately, our goal is to improve predictions of how ecosystems may change and respond to environmental disturbances in unexpected ways driven by behavior. We use coral reef fishes as a model system to link fine-scale behavior in the field to population-, and community-, and ecosystem-level dynamics.
The lab's core team includes a Principal Investigator (Dr. Mike Gil), three PhD students, and one postdoctoral researcher, and typically 30-50 undergraduate research assistants working in smaller, project-based groups. The Lab Manager plays a key role in helping this structure function smoothly by coordinating projects, supporting workflows, and maintaining clear communication across the lab.
This role is designed to be substantive, flexible, and professionally meaningful for applicants at a range of career stages. Ideal candidates may include individuals with bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degrees who enjoy research coordination, computational problem-solving, mentorship, and being deeply embedded in an active academic lab environment. The position is particularly well-suited for candidates seeking intellectually engaging research work with flexible hours and without the need for benefits. 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

In our lab group, we leverage creative thinking and cutting-edge technologies to better:
1) understand how natural ecosystems function and respond to change, to build general knowledge and inform sustainable practices, and
2) connect a diverse mass public to the oft-taxpayer-funded process of scientific discovery and all that it offers to individuals and to humankind at large.
In our research, we tackle a variety interrelated questions and often merge ecology and animal behavior, as well as empirical and theoretical approaches. You can read more about the major research foci we're currently pursuing here: https://gillab.org. We foster justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion (JEDI) in STEM not only through the traditional Academic pathways of teaching and mentoring students in formal settings, but also through informal learning interventions that we stage in public spaces. You can read more about our use of mass science communication to foster JEDI in STEM here: https://gillab.org/jedi/.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

Lab Coordination & Project Management: Serve as the central project coordinator for a large, multi-project research lab; Track timelines, personnel, and deliverables across diverse research efforts; Maintain lab documentation, shared resources, spreadsheets, and organizational systems; Take notes during lab and project meetings and follow up on action items. Support onboarding, training, and coordination of undergraduate researchers.

Technical & Research Support: Develop, streamline, and maintain custom data-processing and analysis workflows; Troubleshoot, debug, and improve existing code (primarily Python-based, often focused on computer vision); Implement and manage computational workflows on high-performance computing (HPC) systems (e.g., CU's Alpine HPC cluster); Support data organization, quality control, and reproducibility across projects; Coordinate with freelance programmers and external collaborators to implement and refine tools.

Mentorship, Communication & Lab Culture: Mentor and support undergraduate researchers and project leads; Provide thoughtful feedback on research workflows and protocols; Help maintain a positive, inclusive, and well-functioning lab culture; Facilitate clear communication within the lab and with collaborators; Assist with reflection, evaluation, and improvement of lab practices.

Operations & Administration: Assist with lab finances and day-to-day operations (ordering, tracking expenses, etc.); Serve as a point person for logistical questions related to lab workflows and expectations; Help ensure smooth lab function during periods of faculty travel.

What You Should Know

This position is for 9 months per year, with three months of unpaid leave mid-May to mid-August annually.
It is funded for 2026, 2027 and potentially beyond.

What We Can Offer

The hiring range for this 50% position is $25-$30 per hour.

Benefits

Temporary positions at the University of Colorado are not benefits-eligible, however, all positions are eligible for paid sick leave.

Be Statements

Be ambitious. Be pioneering. Be Boulder.

What We Require

Applicants who already hold an MS/MSc or PhD and are seeking a long-term, research-embedded role are especially encouraged to apply.
Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree or higher in ecology, biology, computer science, environmental science, or a related field
Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
Comfort engaging with technical material (e.g., code, data pipelines, quantitative methods), with willingness to learn new tools as needed
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
High level of independence, initiative, and reliability

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

Resume/CV
Cover Letter

During the application process you will need to enter contact information for three references who can write letters of recommendation on your behalf. We will request letters and additional materials, if needed, as the search progresses.
For full consideration, please apply by January 13th, 2026.
Note: Application materials will not be accepted via email. For consideration, please apply through CU Boulder Jobs.

To apply, visit https://jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDetail/Research-Lab-Manager/69272