Assistant Professor

University of Colorado Anschutz

Department: School of Medicine – Department of
Orthopedics

Job Title: Assistant Professor

Position #: 00854152 – Requisition #: 41491

Job Summary:

The position involves the development and sustained growth of an
independent, externally funded research program focused on
osteoarthritis, fracture healing, and the musculoskeletal
implications of the gut microbiome. The successful candidate will
establish and lead an innovative research laboratory within the
Research Section of the Department of Orthopedics at the University
of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus. The candidate is expected to
develop a nationally recognized research portfolio, secure
extramural funding with an emphasis on NIH and other federal
funding mechanisms, and foster multidisciplinary collaborations
across basic, translational, and clinical science domains.

Research activities should advance the understanding of
musculoskeletal disease mechanisms and therapeutic strategies, with
opportunities to leverage the extensive research infrastructure and
collaborative environment of the Anschutz Medical Campus. The
successful candidate will mentor graduate students, postdoctoral
fellows, research staff, and trainees; contribute to the academic
mission of the department; and participate in institutional
initiatives that promote scientific innovation, team science, and
translational impact. The candidate will be expected to disseminate
research findings through high-impact peer reviewed publications
and national and international scientific presentations, while
building a sustainable program that enhances the department's
reputation as a leader in musculoskeletal research.

Key Responsibilities:

· Develop, conduct, lead, and disseminate innovative research
aligned with the Department of Orthopedics' research mission.
This includes designing and executing independent research studies;
establishing and leading a productive research program; presenting
findings at local, national, and international scientific meetings;
and publishing results in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals.
Responsibilities also include developing competitive grant
proposals and securing extramural funding from the NIH, other
federal agencies, foundations, and industry partners to support a
sustainable and growing research enterprise.

· Provide education, mentorship, and training across the
academic spectrum. This includes teaching and mentoring
undergraduate students, medical students, graduate students,
postdoctoral fellows, orthopedic residents, clinical fellows, and
other trainees. The successful candidate will provide scientific
expertise, supervision, constructive feedback, career development
guidance, and leadership, while actively participating in and
leading educational seminars, journal clubs, workshops, and
community outreach activities.

· Foster a culture of collaboration, teamwork, professionalism,
and accountability within the Department of Orthopedics and the
Research Section. This includes promoting interdisciplinary
research initiatives, nurturing productive scientific relationships
among faculty, trainees, and staff across all divisions of the
department, and contributing to an inclusive and supportive
research environment. The successful candidate will be expected to
actively engage in collaborative team science efforts and help
advance the department's strategic research goals.

· Contribute to the growth and visibility of the Department's
research enterprise. This includes participating in
institutional and departmental committees, supporting strategic
research initiatives, developing new collaborative opportunities
across the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, and
enhancing the national and international reputation of the
Department of Orthopedics through scholarly achievement,
leadership, and service.

· Lead and manage an independent research laboratory.
Responsibilities include recruiting, supervising, and mentoring
research personnel; managing laboratory operations and budgets;
ensuring compliance with institutional, regulatory, and funding
agency requirements; and maintaining the highest standards of
scientific rigor, reproducibility, and research integrity.

Work Location:

Onsite – this role is expected to work onsite and is located in
Aurora, CO.

Why Join Us:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is one of the
nation's leading academic health centers, bringing together
nationally recognized programs in medicine, nursing, pharmacy,
public health, dental medicine, and graduate biomedical sciences.
The campus supports a robust community of researchers, clinicians,
educators, and trainees engaged in collaborative discovery and
translational science. The CU Anschutz School of Medicine recently
ranked No. 8 among public medical schools and No. 21 overall
nationally in NIH funding, its highest ranking in two decades,
demonstrating the institution's strong commitment to research
excellence and scientific innovation. The Department of Orthopedics
is consistently ranked among the nation's leading orthopedic
research programs, providing an exceptional environment for
investigators pursuing impactful musculoskeletal research.

The Anschutz Medical Campus is also recognized nationally for the
strength of its educational and research programs. The School of
Medicine is designated a Tier 1 Research Medical School by
U.S. News & World Report and is part of a campus that includes
numerous nationally ranked graduate and professional programs. The
campus is home to extensive core facilities, research centers,
clinical research infrastructure, and multidisciplinary
collaborations that support investigators from basic discovery
through clinical translation and implementation.

Why work for the University?

We have AMAZING benefits and offer exceptional amounts of holiday,
vacation and sick leave! The University of Colorado offers an
excellent benefits package including:

• Medical: Multiple plan options
• Dental: Multiple plan options
• Additional Insurance: Disability, Life, Vision
• Retirement 401(a) Plan: Employer contributes 10% of your gross

pay

• Paid Time Off: Accruals over the year (based on percentage of

time)

• Vacation Days: 22/year (maximum accrual 352 hours)
• Sick Days: 15/year (unlimited maximum accrual)
• Holiday Days: 11/year
• Tuition Benefit: Employees have access to this benefit on all

CU campuses

• ECO Pass: Reduced rate RTD Bus and light rail service

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:

Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of
hire.

§ MD and/or PhD Degree

§ At least 3 years of postdoctoral experience as a researcher in
the musculoskeletal science field

Preferred Qualifications:

§ More than 15 peer-reviewed publications as first or
co-author

§ Active membership in the Orthopedic Research Society or American
Society of Bone and Mineral Research

§ Previous success winning fellowship grants to support predoctoral
or postdoctoral research activity

§ A scored NIH grant (K, R, P or U series)

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

§ Experience in an academic laboratory setting performing bench
research, data recording and analysis, and creation of
figures

§ Excellent communication and writing skills

§ Experience participating in the assembly of grant
applications

§ Experience mentoring junior lab staff

How to Apply:

For full consideration, please submit the following
document(s):

· A letter of interest describing interest in the position and
summarizing the relevant experiences related to listed job
qualifications

· Current CV

· Five professional references including name, title, physical work
address, and email address

Questions should be directed to: Lindsey Renn, lindsey.renn@cuanschutz.edu

Screening of Applications Begins:

Immediately and continues until position is filled. For best
consideration, apply by October 28, 2026.

Anticipated Pay Range:

The starting salary range ( or hiring range ) for this
position has been established. HIRING RANGE:

$105,000 - $125,000

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

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The University of Colorado (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.

ADA Statement:

The University will provide reasonable accommodations to applicants
with disabilities throughout the employment application process. To
request an accommodation pursuant to the Americans with
Disabilities Act, please contact the Human Resources ADA
Coordinator at hr.adacoordinator@ucdenver.edu
.

Background Check Statement:

The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus is dedicated to
ensuring a safe and secure environment for our faculty, staff,
students, and visitors. To assist in achieving that goal, we
conduct background investigations for all prospective
employees.

Vaccination Statement:

CU Anschutz strongly encourages vaccination against the COVID-19
virus and other
vaccine preventable diseases . If you work, visit, or volunteer
in healthcare facilities or clinics operated by our affiliated
hospital or clinical partners or by CU Anschutz, you will be
required to comply with the vaccination and medical surveillance
policies of the facilities or clinics where you work, visit, or
volunteer, respectively. In addition, if you work in certain
research areas or perform certain safety sensitive job duties, you
must enroll in the
occupational health medical surveillance program .