Impact Research and External Relations Specialist with PhET Interactive Simulations

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:

• A resume or CV.
• 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).

• Application Tasks (instructions at

https://docs.google.com/document/d/e/2PACX-1vR0Q5BDjvcdUAaqlsT33qxhJ_lo8kcjZhcH-2-g1OyUnQKdZssZ12uLbx_bpTUaf1rG4aGoIX2zqpqn/pub
).

• Task 1 : Data review. This task should take about 30

minutes.

• 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.

• 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.

Posting Contact Information

Posting Contact Name: Boulder Campus Human Resources

Posting Contact Email: Recruiting@colorado.edu