Senior Instructor; Clinical Practice - Community Engagement Lead

Job Summary:

The Department of Orthopedics at the University of Colorado Anschutz in Aurora, Colorado is seeking a Community Engagement Lead for a federally-funded research program related to musculoskeletal regenerative medicine. The individual will work with the Principal Investigators (PIs) to plan and manage all aspects of the project related to community partnership development to aid in participant recruitment efforts for future osteoarthritis clinical studies. This role builds and strengthens relationships with communities across Colorado, ensuring that orthopedic clinical research is inclusive, equitable, and reflective of the populations most affected by musculoskeletal conditions. The ideal candidate has experience engaging diverse communities, communicating health information in accessible ways, and working within clinical research or healthcare settings. This individual will work closely with the PIs to manage the community engagement and clinical trial recruitment program and be a key player in its success.

Key Responsibilities:

Community Engagement (50%)

- Develop, expand and sustain trusted, long-term partnerships with diverse communities across Colorado, including rural and frontier communities.

- Plan and facilitate community-based activities such as town halls, educational workshops, listening sessions, and advisory group meetings.

- Represent the research team at community events, health fairs, senior centers, cultural gatherings, and other forums relevant to musculoskeletal health.

- Serve as a trusted liaison between communities and the research team, promoting transparency, trust, and continuity.

Programmatic (30%)

- Create and improve resources to effectively engage recruitment of diverse research participants.

- Identify barriers to research participation (e.g., transportation, mistrust, access limitations, mobility challenges) and help develop solutions to reduce these barriers.

- Incorporate community perspectives into study design, consent processes, and participant-facing materials.

- Collaborate with clinicians and investigators to create educational materials on orthopedic conditions, treatment options, and research participation.

- Develop and maintain an understanding of the clinical trial recruitment literature, best practice strategies, peer institution approaches, research sponsor expectations (e.g., federal, pharmaceutical and/or device industry) and rules governing human subject recruitment (e.g., OHRP, HIPAA).

Administrative (20%)

- Produce community engagement summaries, informational newsletters, and study recruitment updates.

- Document community interactions, track outreach metrics, and synthesize community insights for use in study planning.

- Maintain organized records of engagement activities and contribute to required program documentation.

- Participate in team meetings and meetings with the federal sponsor to provide updates on engagement activities, community input, and recruitment progress.

Work Location:

Hybrid - this role will involve work in the community, from home, and onsite, with the ability to complete tasks in all of these work locations.

Why Join Us:

The Department of Orthopedics' mission is to provide the highest quality patient care and advance the field of orthopedics through innovation in research and education. We place a high level of importance on achieving and maintaining a diverse environment that fosters excellence and rewarding opportunities. The Research Division in the Department of Orthopedics is comprised of a core group of orthopedic faculty pursuing cutting-edge basic, translational and clinical study of the musculoskeletal system. Our research encompasses a broad array of focus areas: genetics of osteoporosis & scoliosis, bone biology, arthritis & joint biology, skeletal healing from the spine to limbs, stem cell biology & tissue engineering, growth plate injury & repair, brain injury-skeleton connections, and orthopedic pain management. We partner with an array of musculoskeletal investigators in various clinical and basic science departments across the 4 campuses of the CU system. Working in our group, you will benefit from a highly collaborative environment with numerous opportunities for career development.

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
• 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

There are many additional perks & programs with the CU Advantage.

Equal Opportunity Statement:

The University of Colorado (CU) is an Equal Opportunity Employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws governing non-discrimination 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.

Qualifications:

Minimum Qualifications:
Applicants must meet minimum qualifications at the time of hire.

• Master's degree in a Social Science area (e.g., psychology, social work, community work, public administration, sociology, epidemiology)
• 5+ years of progressively responsible and related work experience in Community Engagement
• Experience ethically recruiting and retaining diverse study populations into clinical research projects or clinical trials
• Evidence of publication or presentation track record from work on previous projects

Preferred Qualifications:

• Work studying People with lived Experience (PWLE) in health systems
• Deep content knowledge of Community Engagement research and best practices
• Using PWLE data to understand challenges dealing with medically complex disease
• Experience managing projects and adhering to project timelines
• Report writing experience and willingness to contribute to writing as part of an investigative team

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Interest in OA and musculoskeletal regenerative medicine
• Organizational skills, knowledge base, independence and leadership skills to support managing projects
• Communication skills and evidence of writing ability based on publication track record
• Comfortable working as part of a multidisciplinary team

How to Apply:

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

1. A letter of interest describing relevant job experiences as they relate to listed job qualifications and interest in the position

2. Curriculum vitae / Resume

3. Three-five professional references including name, address, phone number (mobile number if appropriate), and email address

Applications are accepted electronically ONLY at www.cu.edu/cu-careers.

Questions should be directed to: Karin Payne, PhD, Karin.payne@cuanschutz.edu

Screening of Applications Begins:

Immediately and continues until position is filled. For best consideration, apply May 31, 2026.

Anticipated Pay Range:

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

$90,000 to $108,000

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

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.