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.
Paid and volunteer research opportunities are also posted on the Buff Bulletin Board as they become available. Student Employment posts on- and off-campus and work-study jobs and a weekly email list for subscribers.
Students only
Study on stress, coping
Are you a first-year student at CU Boulder? Interested in a research study on stress and coping in CU students?
The Research on Affective Disorders and Development Lab is conducting research on stress coping in first year CU students. We want to understand what helps CU students cope with stress during major transitions, including the transition to college and across semesters.
The study includes a few different parts that happen over the three-semester study period:
- There are two in-person research sessions, each of which takes about four to six hours. During these sessions, you will play some computer games while we monitor physical functioning (for example, your heart rate). You will also complete a set of interviews and surveys that ask about stress, behavior, mood and health.
- There are three 21-day periods in which we will send you a daily “micro survey” (less than five minutes to answer) asking about your behavior and mood using an app.
- There are two one-hour online surveys that we will send to your email.
The study takes place over the course of three semesters, and you will be compensated for your participation (maximum of $446–$470 for completing all parts of the study). If you want to learn more, contact the RADD Lab at raddlab@colorado.edu or fill out the initial eligibility screening.
Part-time jobs
Student research assistant
The National Science Foundation (NSF) Institute for Student-AI Teaming (iSAT), a leading research center focused on developing the latest artificial intelligence (AI) technologies for education, is hiring a research assistant to help with internal communications, reporting and knowledge management. This role is ideal for students with an interest in technical writing, academic publishing and digital content management. The position offers the ability to work in a hybrid fashion and the chance to gain experience in a dynamic, research-oriented environment. Read the full job listing.
Work in Student Life
Working on campus is a great way for students to gain professional experience and discover new passions. Through your student job, you may learn that you enjoy working one-on-one with others or that your natural strengths work well for certain roles (like event planning or mentorship). Whatever department you work in, your student job can help you explore career paths, build your resume and shape your future. Explore jobs on Handshake.
Studies for adults
Study on tactile, spatial awareness of piano
Paid participants are needed for a study investigating tactile and spatial awareness of the piano keyboard, conducted by Alejandro Cremaschi and Luca Pompilio in the College of Music and Mélanie Henry in Integrative Physiology. This study involves a 40-minute session where participants will be asked to reproduce hand spans by memory and to find keys on the piano "by touch" without looking.
The 40-minute sessions are scheduled at your convenience in the Ramalay Integrative Physiology Lab. To participate you must be 18 years old or older and familiar with note names. Ideally, we would like participants with three or more years of formal piano lessons. Payment is $20 in the form of an Amazon gift card.
If you are interested in participating, contact alejandro.cremaschi@colorado.edu.
Study on mood, bipolar disorder in young adults
Join the Young Emerging Adult Research Study (YEARS) study at CU Boulder and CU Anschutz (IRB# 23-2067) to understand emotions.
Earn $25 per hour (up to approximately $400 total) for up to three study session phases (one hour and 45 minutes). 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 with questions.
Hearing research
Participants are needed for a study investigating human hearing, conducted by Donghyeon Yun at CU Boulder's Department of Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences. This study involves listening to speech sounds through headphones and responding to them. It typically takes one session to complete, lasting 1.5 to two hours and can be scheduled at your convenience. You'll receive $30 in the form of an Amazon e-gift card for your participation.
If you are 18 or older, a native Korean speaker, and use English as a second language (but are not fully bilingual) and would like more information about participating, please contact: Hearing Science Lab at hslab@colorado.edu.
Remote study on chronic back pain
Participate in a paid research study on the effects of virtual reality therapy on chronic low-back pain. Seeking participants ages 18–85 with low back pain for the last six-plus months for a research study with virtual reality ($132 compensation).
Get more information and the screening form. Contact vrntpainstudy@gmail.com with questions.
Study on women, PTSD
CU Anschutz researchers are looking for women who do and do not experience trauma-related nightmares to join a research study. The purpose of the DAWN Study is to understand how trauma-related nightmares impact heart health in women.
Qualifications:
- Women 22–40 years of age
- Do and do not experience repetitive nightmares related to prior traumatic experiences
- No history of cancer, diabetes or cardiovascular/heart disease
Compensation will be provided.
Interested? Complete the optional preliminary eligibility survey. Send a message to DAWNstudy@cuanschutz.edu if you have additional questions.
Study on walking performance in older adults
Researchers from the Neurophysiology of Movement Laboratory at CU Boulder are conducting a study to investigate the influence of light electrical stimulation (transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation) on walking performance in older adults.
Eligibility:
- Individuals between ages 65 and 85
- No recent lower-body injuries, free from neurological impairments
- Able to walk unaided for six minutes
The study involves two evaluation visits to CU Boulder Main Campus. The two sessions (each approximately 1.5 hours each) will be separated by three to seven days. Walking will be tested while transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) is applied over leg muscles and controlled by a foot switch.
Participants will earn $60 for completing the two sessions. If interested, please contact Rehab Aljaafari to learn more about the study: phone 720-687-7148 or email real5810@colorado.edu.
The Intermountain Neuorimaging Consortium (INC) is a brain imaging research facility in the Institute of Cognitive Science at CU Boulder. They use MRI scans to study how the brain works and how the brain changes across the lifespan. They currently have six to seven studies that are looking for participants from a range of ages across the Denver metro area.
Psychology research
Participate in a non-invasive electroencephalography (EEG) study on language comprehension (IRB 24-051).
Eligibility:
- 18–40 years old
- Native speaker of English (fluent before age 10, able to read English with native proficiency)
Study information:
- This will take place at the CINC building at 1777 Exposition Drive
- One session lasting about 90 minutes
- $20 per hour paid in cash at the end of the session
Sign up here. Contact kimlab@colorado.edu with any further questions.
Physiology of aging studies
The Integrative Physiology of Aging Lab is recruiting for two studies:
Breathing exercise study
Researchers are looking for volunteers to study the potential healthy aging effects of a new type of breathing exercise (a time-efficient type of exercise), compared to brisk walking, on blood pressure and blood vessel function.
Requirements:
- Ages 50-plus
- 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
Participants receive:
- Detailed blood panel (cholesterol, glucose, etc.)
- Physician-monitored exercise stress test
- Blood pressure screening
- Bone mineral density test
- Monetary compensation for time
For more information, please email ipalab@colorado.edu or call 303-735-6410.
Hot tub, blood pressure study
Researchers are seeking volunteers to participate in a clinical research study.
Requirements:
- Ages 40-plus
- Willing to participate in 12 weeks of hot tub sessions, approximately three times per week
- Systolic BP (top number) > 115 mmHg (please contact us if you are unsure of your blood pressure)
Participants receive:
- Exercise stress test
- Body composition assessment
- Detailed blood panel (cholesterol, glucose, etc.)
- Monetary compensation for time
For more information, please email ipalab@colorado.edu or call 303-735-6410.
Sleep studies
Study on sleep, peripheral circadian clocks
The purpose of the Biomarkers of Peripheral Circadian Clocks in Humans study is to examine how light exposure and meal timing influences circadian rhythms in healthy people ages 17–40.
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 $4,093.
For more study details and information on how to apply, please complete this survey. If you have any other questions, please email sleep.study@colorado.edu and ask about the peripheral clock study.
Study on delayed sleep-wake phase disorder
Do you have trouble falling asleep before 1 a.m.? Do you find it difficult to wake up early in the morning for your commitments? Does your high schooler have a hard time falling asleep before 1 a.m. and waking up early in the morning/for high school?
Researchers are looking for people with delayed sleep-wake phase disorder or people with late bedtimes, or healthy people with typical bedtimes.
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 bedtimes after 1 a.m., an inability to fall asleep and difficulty awakening when required for school/work
- Are healthy with typical bedtimes and no sleep concerns
The study is 6.5 weeks long with six in-person visits and will 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 4.87 days in total):
- Blood and saliva sampling
- Reaction time, mood, and ability to think testing
Compensation is up to $1,750.
Get study details and apply. For more study details, email sleep.study@colorado.edu or call 303-735-1923.
IRB Protocol: 23-0285, Pathophysiology of Circadian Rhythm Delayed Sleep Wake Phase Disorder
Studies for the family
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.