Get paid: Research opportunities and on-campus jobs

From university research studies to part-time jobs, there are plenty of opportunities to make extra money on campus. See what’s open.

Students only

Study on STEM education

Help CU Boulder improve undergraduate STEM education by participating in a research study supported by NSF! (IRB #21-0121). 

Am I eligible? You may be eligible to participate if:

• You are at least 18 years old
• You are a current undergraduate
• You have declared any physical science or engineering major except chemistry, biochemistry, or chemical and biological engineering
• You have enrolled in or completed PHYS 1110: General Physics 1

What does my participation entail? We want to know how science and math majors react to typical classroom experiences. You will spend 1 hour completing problem sets and questionnaires online. The researcher will provide instructions over Zoom.

How will I get paid? You will receive a $25 Amazon gift card for your participation. 

What are the next steps? To see if you are eligible and to sign up, please complete this brief confidential eligibility survey.

Questions? Email brittany.tokasey@colorado.edu for more information.

Study on stress, coping

The Research on Affective Disorders and Development Lab is conducting research on stress coping in CU students! The study has the goal of understanding what factors help or make it more difficult for students to cope with stress and thrive in college.

This study lasts three semesters:

1. At the beginning of the study and in your third semester, you will complete a four–six hour lab visit.
2. In your second semester, you will complete two sets of online questionnaires (less than one hour)
3. Each semester you will complete a short (one–three minutes) survey every day for three weeks. 

The study takes place over the course of three semesters and you will be compensated for your participation. Eligible participants can make up to $446–$470 for completing the study!

If you’re interested in learning more, contact the RADD Lab at raddlab@colorado.edu, 303-735-8306, or complete our web screen.

Part-time jobs

ASAP tutor mentors

The Academic Success and Achievement Program (ASAP) is looking for tutor mentors for the 2024–25 academic school year. ASAP provides free small group tutoring and one-on-one tutoring to all first-year students and any student living on campus. Mentor hours are flexible, and the starting hourly pay is $17. Hiring is done on a rolling basis. Learn more and apply.

Campus Dining Services openings

CDS offers the opportunity to learn and build a variety of skills for success during your time at CU and beyond. With flexible hours, convenient locations and competitive pay (starting at $16 per hour), this is a great opportunity for busy students. There are currently two openings: one in food service and one late-night cleaner. Learn more and apply.

CU NightRide driver/dispatchers

CU NightRide—a student-operated program providing nighttime transportation to the campus community—is hiring driver/dispatchers to take calls, coordinate rides and drive within the city of Boulder. Pay is $16 hourly for 10–20 hours per week. Flexible scheduling. Learn more and apply.

Environmental Center openings

Make a difference while you earn a paycheck! The Environmental Center is hiring a campus sustainability assistant and climate justice team members. Compensation starts at $16 hourly. Learn more and apply.

Health Promotion openings

Do you want to do meaningful work that impacts the health and well-being of your community members? Health Promotion is hiring for a number of positions for 2024–25, including peer educators, peer wellness coaches, office assistants and Buffs Discuss facilitators. Visit these listings to learn more.

Off-Campus Housing & Neighborhood Relations ambassadors

Neighborhood ambassadors serve as student leaders, assisting off-campus student tenants with their transition to and ongoing living experience in their off-campus housing, especially in the University Hill area. Compensation is $17 per hour. Learn more and apply.

Recreation Services openings

Help fellow students find their fit! Rec Center student-employees play an invaluable role by providing customer service, safety and fun to guests. There are currently open positions in aquatics, ice rink, facility operations, fitness and wellness, Outdoor Pursuits and team sports. Learn more and apply.

University Memorial Center openings

Work in the heart of campus! The UMC offers competitive pay (starting at $16 hourly), flexible hours, professional and personal development opportunities and a true team spirit. There are currently openings for a mechanic at The Connection, CU Events Planning & Catering employees and more. Learn more and apply.

Studies for adults

Studies on sleep, circadian rhythms

The Sleep and Chronobiology Laboratory is recruiting for two sleep studies:

Light exposure, meal timing

The purpose of this study is to examine how light exposure and meal timing influences circadian rhythms in healthy people.

The study is seven weeks long with eight in-person visits at CU Boulder.

Participants live in the sleep laboratory on two separate occasions for 7.7 days (15.4 days total)

Compensation is up to $3,785. Get study details and information on how to apply. Contact sleep.study@colorado.edu.

Delayed sleep-wake phase disorder

Researchers are looking for people with delayed sleep-wake phase disorder or people with late bedtimes, or healthy people with typical bedtimes.

The purpose of this study is to improve our understanding of mechanisms of delayed sleep-wake phase disorder (DSWPD).  We are testing patients with DSWPD as well as healthy people without DSWPD. The study is 6.5 weeks long with six in-person visits at CU Boulder.

You may be eligible for this study if you:

• Are ages 16–30
• Have a diagnosis of delayed-sleep wake phase disorder or have late bedtime after 1 a.m., an inability to fall asleep and difficulty awakening when required for school/work
• Or are healthy with typical bedtimes and no sleep concerns

Study activities include:

• Health screening
• Monitor on separate occasions your sleep, mood, eating times for one or two weeks and blood sugar levels while living at home
• Live in the sleep laboratory on two separate occasions for 48–66 hours (approximately 4.75 days in total)
• Blood and saliva sampling and reaction time, mood, and ability to think testing

Compensation is up to $1,725. Get study details and apply. Contact sleep.study@colorado.edu.

Multiple sclerosis clinical trial

Researchers from the Neurophysiology of Movement Laboratory at CU Boulder are conducting a study to investigate if electrical stimulation applied to the legs can reduce fatigue and improve walking in persons with multiple sclerosis.

You may be eligible to participate if you:

• Are between18–65 years of age
• Have clinically confirmed diagnosis of MS
• Are able to walk but have some difficulty walking
• Experience some fatigue during activities of daily living

The 11-week study involves four evaluation visits and 18 treatment sessions (three times/week for six weeks):

• Evaluation sessions (approximately two hours each)
• Answering questionnaires
• Tests of walking, balance and muscle function
• Treatments (approximately 60 minutes each)
• TENS applied to leg muscles while performing weight-lifting exercises
• The treatment will be applied to two muscle groups in each leg

Participants will be paid up to $880 for completing the 11-week trial.

If you are interested, please contact Mélanie Henry by email at melanie.henry@colorado.edu and reference the MS clinical trial.

Cardiovascular research

The Integrative Physiology of Aging Lab is recruiting for four studies: 

Novel breathing exercise 

Researchers are looking for volunteers to study the potential health effects of a new type of breathing exercise (a time-efficient type of exercise) on blood pressure, vascular function and cognitive function.

Requirements:

• Aged 50-plus years
• Systolic blood pressure (top number) ≥ 115 mmHg
• Willing to exercise up to 25 minutes per day, six days a week, for a three-month period

Benefits include:

• Detailed blood panel (cholesterol, glucose, etc.)
• Physician-monitored exercise stress test
• Blood pressure screening
• Bone mineral density test
• Monetary compensation for time

If interested, email IMSTstudy@colorado.edu or call 303-492-2485.

Improving age-related cardiovascular dysfunction

A biological hallmark of aging is “cellular senescence”, which is associated with cardiovascular dysfunction. Compounds called “senolytics” that decrease the number or amount of senescent cells may be effective for improving age-related cardiovascular dysfunction and possibly brain health. 

The Integrative Physiology of Aging Lab at CU Boulder is trying to determine whether intermittent oral supplementation with a natural compound with senolytic properties called fisetin (found in strawberries, onions and cucumbers and available as dietary supplement) will improve blood vessel function, reduce artery stiffness, and improve cognitive function (a measure of brain health) in adults ages 65-plus.

Benefits for volunteers include: cardiovascular health assessment, cognitive function tests, blood tests and compensation for time. 

For more information, please email fisetinstudy@colorado.edu, or call 303-735-6410. 

Healthy aging effects of MitoQ

Researchers are looking for volunteers to study the potential healthy aging effects of MitoQ, an antioxidant that is attracted to the mitochondria of cells, supplementation on physiological function.

Requirements:

• Ages 60-plus
• Willing to undergo a three-month period taking MitoQ or placebo pills

Benefits include:

• Detailed blood panel (cholesterol, glucose, etc.)
• Monetary compensation for time

If interested: call 303-735-6410 or email mitoqstudy@colorado.edu.

Heat therapy, blood pressure, vascular function

Researchers are seeking volunteers to participate in a clinical research study. We are looking for adults, ages 40-plus who are willing to participate in water immersion sessions approximately three times per week for 12 weeks and have above normal blood pressure (a top number of 115 or higher; if you are unsure of your blood pressure, please still contact us for screening). 

Benefits for volunteers include: cardiovascular health assessment, exercise stress test, body composition, blood chemistries and monetary compensation for time.

For more information, please email hottubstudy@colorado.edu or call 970-460-8970.

Study on static stretching

Did you know that stretching can impact even the muscles you didn’t stretch?

The Neurophysiology of Movement Laboratory is conducting a study to evaluate how stretching affects the neuromuscular function of the non-stretched muscles.

They are looking for healthy men between 18 and 55 years, without neurological impairments or recent lower-limb injuries.

The study involves a two-hour visit to our lab on the CU Boulder Main Campus and includes a $25 compensation for your time and effort.

If interested, please call 303-875-2516 or email nicholas.toninelli@colorado.edu and reference the stretching study.

Bipolar disorder in young adults

Researchers at CU Boulder and CU Anschutz (IRB# 23-2067) are seeking participants for the Paid Young Emerging Adult Research Study (YEARS) study, seeking to understand emotions.

Earn $25 per hour (up to approximately $400 total) for up to three study session phases (1 and 3/4 hours). Must be 18–25 years, be able to attend in-person sessions and have a personal history of bipolar disorder or no mental health history.

Apply now. Email years-study@colorado.edu or call 303-735-7547.

Movement learning study with robotics

Come play a game with a robot! The Neuromechanics Lab needs volunteers for a study on effort and motor learning. We are interested in how effort during a movement changes how you learn. The insights from this study will help us design optimize rehabilitation and movement training. 

In the game, you use a robotic handle to guide a cursor to a series of targets. 

You must: 

• Be between 18–35 years old 
• Be right-handed 
• Have no movement impairments that could impact your ability to complete a reaching task 
• Have no upper-arm injuries within the last year

The study will involve about one hour of testing in our campus laboratory (1B21 ECSL, 1111 Engineering Drive, Boulder, CO 80309). We will schedule a 90-minute visit (in case of delays) at your convenience.

You will be compensated for your time and effort with an Amazon gift card. Take the survey to get started. Contact rachel.marbaker@colorado.edu.

Brain study—train like an astronaut in VR

Are you interested in participating in an astronaut training study with CU Boulder Bioastronautics?

For this study, participants will be trained and evaluated on a Mars rover driving scenario in a VR headset while wearing neuroimaging equipment on their head to gather data. This study will take part in two sessions on two consecutive days, with the first session taking up to three hours and the second session taking two hours. This study is paid on an hourly basis.

If you are interested and are between the ages of 18–65, please email vr_training@outlook.com to learn more. Any questions about the study can be directed towards the PI at apanders@colorado.edu.

Study for breast cancer survivors

For many women, taking anti-hormonal medication every day can be challenging. CU Boulder is offering a research study for breast cancer survivors who are prescribed anti-hormonal medication that aims to help support them in taking it. 

The THRIVE Intervention Study evaluates a two-module online course that focuses on taking credit for your effort, tapping into your strengths, and engaging in positive activities even when it’s hard. Participants in the study can earn up to $80 for completing online questionnaires and offering feedback on the course.  

You may be eligible if you: 

• Are a woman who is 21 years old or older 
• Have been diagnosed with Stage 0–3 hormone receptor-positive breast cancer and finished your primary treatment 
• Have been prescribed anti-hormonal medication within the last two years 
• Have difficulty taking your anti-hormonal medication 

If you are interested in the above study, please email us at archlab@colorado.edu or call/text at 720-897-1850.

Bioastronautics research

Please consider becoming a research participant in our study “Spatial disorientation following a gravity transition.” This study is being led by Torin Clark as part of the Bioastronautics Research Group at CU Boulder.

We are looking for subjects for an upcoming study investigating an active countermeasure triggering mechanism to reduce spatial disorientation in astronauts performing lunar landings. This research will take place in up to two visits and a total of no more than five hours in the Aerospace Engineering Sciences building on East Campus in the Bioastronautics Lab.

You will be paid for your participation at a rate of $15 per hour. More details on the study protocol will be provided in person, prior to beginning the experiment during your session.

To participate in the study, volunteers need to:

• Be between 18–50 years of age
• Have no history of vestibular dysfunction
• Weigh less than 200 lbs
• Complete a pre-screening questionnaire confirming eligibility criteria

If interested, please email sdtriggering@gmail.com to receive more information.

Study on preferred running speeds

Participants are needed for a research study investigating how running with an assistive device affects energy expenditure and preferred running speeds. 

You may qualify if you:

• Are between the ages of 18–55 
• Can understand simple directions in English
• Are a recreational runner
• Have experience running overground and on a treadmill and can run at a pace of 10 minutes/mile for 30 minutes
• Have no cardiovascular conditions or recent history (within one year) of surgery

Participation involves:

• Up to three visits to the Neuromechanics Laboratory (ECSL 1B21) or Welker Laboratory (ECCE 1B28) in the Engineering Center located on the CU Boulder Main Campus
• Fasting for two hours prior to the second and third visits
• Walking and running on a self-pacing treadmill 

Compensation will be provided in the form of an Amazon gift card ($20–$30 depending on qualification/completion of study).

Questions? Contact Olivia Felton at olivia.felton@colorado.edu or 319-540-6486.

Chronic back pain research

The Pain Lab at CU Boulder, affiliated with the Institute of Cognitive Science, is seeking participants ages 21–70 for a research study with noninvasive wearable sensors.

You may be eligible if you have experienced back pain for the last three-plus months. Participants will be compensated up to $360.

If you’re interested, fill out the eligibility screening form. We will contact you regarding your eligibility. Email painlab@colorado.edu with questions.

Study on CBD, mood health

The Research on Affective Disorders and Development Lab is conducting research on the effects of cannabidiol (CBD) on mood and behavior. We are recruiting research participants ages 18–35.

The study includes a few different parts:

• You will answer short twice-daily surveys for six weeks on your mobile device.
• You will complete three in-person research visits, each including an interview about life experiences, a set of computer games, and a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) brain scan.
• You will select and use a CBD product for up to six weeks.

The study takes place over the course of six to eight weeks, and you will be compensated for your participation (maximum of $863–$1,038 for completing all parts of the study).

If you want to learn more, contact the RADD Lab at raddlab@colorado.edu or 303-735-8306, or go to our website to fill out the initial eligibility screening.

Surveys for managers/supervisors

Calling all managers/supervisors! Researchers are working on a project to better understand your daily experiences at work. 

For this study, you will be asked to complete three two-minute surveys a day, for a period of 10 days, as well as a 15-minute baseline survey at the beginning of the 10-day period. 

You will receive monetary compensation for each survey you complete, with a total possible compensation of $70 in Tango gift card credit (to be used at a retailer of your choice, including a Visa or Mastercard prepaid card) for completing this study. See all retail options. 

You will receive $5 for your participation in the baseline survey and an additional $1 for participation in each daily survey (three surveys per day for 10 days) and a $2 bonus for every full day you complete (up to $5 each day). If you complete 80% or more of the daily surveys (24 out of 30), you will receive a $15 bonus (in gift card credit). 

Requirements:

• Full-time working professional 
• Currently working as a manager with at least one direct report
• Having daily interactions with their direct report(s) (this can be virtual or in-person)
• 18 years of age or older
• Located in the United States
• Able to complete three daily surveys for a period of two work weeks

The daily surveys will be taken once in the morning, once in the afternoon, and once in the evening over a period of two work weeks in July. 

This opportunity is only available to the first 90 participants who sign up and qualify. Take the first survey to see if you are eligible.

Reach out to Christina Lacerenza at clacerenza@colorado.edu or Rebecca Mitchell at remi2720@colorado.edu if you have additional questions. 

Studies for the family

Maternal communication study

Language, Development, and Cognition Lab researchers invite you to participate in an online language production study conducted via Zoom at a time that is convenient for you. 

The study is open to mothers of 3- to 5-year-old children who are acquiring English as a first language.

You will engage in a task in which you will be shown simple animated actions on a screen (e.g., putting an object on a table) and asked to instruct a hypothetical child or adult listener to perform those actions using props. The total time for the study is 40–45 minutes or less, depending on number of breaks. 

We will send you a $20 Amazon gift card within one to two weeks of study completion (and a $5 gift card even if you complete only part of the study). 

Interested? Visit the study website to enroll.

Child communication research

The Child Research Participant Registry connects families and researchers, so that together they can advance understanding of human communication and methods to diagnose and treat children who have communication-related challenges. They invite families of children with or without communication challenges to join the registry.

To learn more, or to sign up your child, please visit this webpage. The research registry is affiliated with the Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences.