Impact Research and External Relations… at CU Boulder · Boulder

Job Summary

PhET Interactive Simulations at the University of Colorado Boulder seeks an Impact Research and External Relations Specialist to join PhET’s team. Working with the PhET team and collaborators, the successful candidate will gather and synthesize evidence of how PhET is used and the difference it makes for educators and learners, collaborate on reports and communications that share these findings, and research funders and the funding landscape for education and STEM, comparing that landscape with PhET’s own funders and supporters. They will use these findings to support new proposals, reports on grant outcomes, and PhET’s case for support, helping build lasting relationships with the funders and supporters who sustain PhET’s work.

This new position is a 60% appointment (24 hours per week) with full benefits; we will also consider appointments up to full time for the right candidate. There is real room to grow: depending on their strengths, the successful candidate may take the lead on parts of this work.

You will work closely with PhET’s new Director or Senior Director of Impact Research and External Relations, a position being hired at the same time, and with PhET’s Executive Director, Senior Director of Global Initiatives, Business Manager, and education researchers.

We build diversity, equity, and inclusion into our work and we aim to cultivate a sense of belonging in our team.

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 130 languages.

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 Open Education Global Award, the 2018 American Physical Society Excellence in Physics Education Award, and a 2017 WISE Award.

What Your Key Responsibilities Will Be

• Gather, analyze, and synthesize evidence of PhET’s reach, use, and impact, drawing on usage data, surveys, and stories from educators and learners, working with the PhET team and research collaborators.
• Collaborate on reports, presentations, and other materials that share these findings with funders and supporters, such as one-page summaries, impact stories, and charts of PhET’s reach.
• Research funders whose priorities align with PhET’s work and trends in funding for education and STEM, synthesize findings into funder profiles and briefings, and track funder priorities and deadlines.
• Contribute to the design, administration, and analysis of surveys and other research on PhET’s users and supporters, including what motivates people and organizations to use or support PhET, and compare findings with the wider education and funding landscape.
• Help research how peer open education and mission-driven organizations fund their work, and document lessons for PhET.
• Maintain and analyze PhET’s funder and supporter data in Salesforce, and prepare regular reports for PhET leadership.
• Contribute to concept notes, proposals, and reports on grant outcomes.
• Draft communications to supporters, help keep supporter content on PhET’s website, newsletter, and social media current, and create and test new approaches to engaging supporters.

What You Should Know

• This is a 60% appointment, 24 hours per week, with full benefits. We will also consider candidates interested in a larger appointment, up to full time; please note your preferred appointment in your cover letter.
• Hours can be arranged flexibly, with some overlap with PhET’s core working hours in Mountain Time.
• We hope to fill this position as soon as possible, with a start in early 2027. If you need a later start, please note your availability in your cover letter.
• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship.
• This position may be based in Boulder or performed remotely within the United States.

What We Can Offer

• The full-time salary range for this position is $55,000 to $70,000, depending on experience. Salary is prorated by appointment; for the 60% appointment, annual pay is $33,000 to $42,000.
• Opportunities for professional development in research, grant development, and external relations, and room to take on greater responsibility over time.

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 ambitious. Be pioneering. Be Boulder.

What We Require

• Bachelor’s degree.
• At least 2 years of professional experience in education, education research, grant development, funder research, or fundraising.
• Experience using research or data to understand impact or inform decisions, such as surveys, evaluation, impact reporting, research publications, or landscape research.
• Experience managing and analyzing data in a database, CRM, or spreadsheet.

What You Will Need

• Clear, accurate, and engaging writing, including the ability to tell stories of impact.
• Strong research and analytical skills, including finding, evaluating, and analyzing information and data from many sources, and drawing sound conclusions.
• Close attention to detail and accuracy with data.
• Strong organization, with the ability to manage many tasks and deadlines at once.
• Discretion with confidential funder and supporter information.
• Comfort learning new software and tools.
• The ability to work independently and remotely as part of a small team.
• Commitment to PhET’s mission of free, research-based science and math education for all learners.

What We Would Like You to Have

• Education research, evaluation, or teaching experience, or familiarity with research on teaching and learning.
• Experience writing grant proposals, reports on grant outcomes, or impact stories.
• Experience designing, administering, or analyzing surveys.
• Experience with funder research databases and tools.
• Experience growing funding and supporters, and telling an organization’s story through email, social media, or other digital communications.
• Experience at an education or science organization, a museum or science center, public media, or a university research program.
• A background in science, mathematics, education, or educational technology.
• Familiarity with one or more languages other than English.

Special Instructions

To apply, please submit the following materials:

1. A resume or CV.
2. A cover letter describing your experience in education, education research, grant development, funder research, or fundraising, your interest in PhET, and your preferred appointment (60% or more).
3. Application Tasks (instructions at https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vR0Q5BDjvcdUAaqlsT33qxhJ_lo8kcjZhcH-2-g1OyUnQKdZssZ12uLbx_bpTUaf1rG4aGoIX2zqpqn/pub).
   1. Task 1: Data review. This task should take about 30 minutes.
   2. Task 2: Funder research brief, a short profile of a foundation or corporate giving program as a potential PhET funder. This task should take about 30 to 45 minutes.
4. Optional: Transcripts

During the application process, you will need to enter contact information for three professional references. We will contact these references, if needed, as the search progresses.

Early applications are encouraged. Applications received by November 30, 2026 will receive full consideration. The position will remain posted until filled.

Application materials will not be accepted by email; applications must be submitted 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.