EUReCA! Microbiology Student Research Assistant

The EURēCA! Student Assistants Program provides introductory opportunities for CU Denver undergraduates to engage in research and creative activities. Students MUST complete the EURēCA! Presentation and Quizzes in Canvas (30min) to apply for all EURēCA! positions. Register Here. 

For more information, view visual guide: Applying for EURēCA! on Handshake, learn more on the EURēCA! Program Website, or email undergrad.research@ucdenver.edu.

Employer/Dept: University of Colorado Denver/ Department of Integrative Biology

Supervisors: Timberley Roane, Ph.D

Job Title: EURēCA! Microbiology Student Research Assistant

Job Location/Address: CU Denver  / This position is in-person only

Purpose: This position will work with other students in the environmental microbiology research laboratory of Dr. Timberley Roane in the Department of Integrative Biology on the Auraria Campus. This position will contribute to a larger project addressing the role of microorganisms in the remediation and detoxification of wastewater containing a chemical called 1,4-dioxane. 1,4-dioxane is currently undergoing consideration for federal and state regulation and is a known contaminant in many environmental systems. Different microorganisms, especially among the bacteria, have enzyme systems that allow them to degrade 1,4-dioxane, reducing environmental levels. The specific laboratory responsibilities of this position will vary depending on the student's interests, skills, background, and academic preparation. Learn more: https://clas.ucdenver.edu/integrative-biology/timberley-roane 

Position Description: While this position has a minimum GPA requirement of 2.0, no previous research experience is required. Laboratory and research skills needed for this position will be taught on-site, requiring close work with Dr. Roane. In general, this position will work with live environmentally sourced microorganisms involved in the remediation (clean-up) of chemically contaminated industrial wastewater. Laboratory methods will involve the isolation and culturing of unknown microbial species in the presence and absence of 1,4-dioxane in order to expand our understanding of how microorganisms degrade 1,4-dioxane. The majority of this position will be in the research laboratory with some limited time in the field collecting wastewater samples. Additional computational work for data analyses, writing, reading, and presenting will be required.

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Duties may include literature searches, data collection, experimental design and administration, data analysis, and data sharing/visualization (with some computational and statistical analyses) in support of the position's individual project and as part of the larger 1,4-dioxane microbiology project. 
• The majority of this position's responsibilities will occur in the microbiology research laboratory in the Department of Integrative Biology.

Skills and Knowledge Gained: 

This position is exciting! Not only will laboratory and research skills be learned, but the skills learned are directly transferrable to a number of career/job opportunities. Microbiology is in everything and therefore microbiology laboratory skillsets are desired in every science position. More specifically, this position will provide opportunities for development in critical thinking, basic laboratory methods, state of the field approaches, organization and record-keeping, scientific communication, science translation, and conducting research.

Minimum Qualifications: 

The most desired qualifications are: 

1. a willingness to learn challenging things
2. an excitement about science
3. professionalism (timeliness, follow through, meeting deadlines, organization, and leadership). There will be times when this position will work as part of a team and other times when this position will work independently but in parallel with other research teams.

Preferred Qualifications: 

• Coursework: General Biology lecture and laboratory (in progress okay) General Chemistry lecture and laboratory (in progress okay)
• General Microbiology Academic interests: Biology or related field

Position Commitment: 10 - 15 hrs/wk (work-study preferred)

Preferred Work Times: Monday - Friday with occasional evening and weekend hours, as needed.

Additional Application Notes: 

Virtually none of our most pressing public challenges can be resolved by one individual or organization. Local governments must engage in collaborative dynamics with nonprofits, private organizations, and individuals to address public problems and produce public goods. This project will allow you to learn how to identify these collaborative dynamics and how to systematically learn from successful cases that can be replicated in other public spaces. 

Length of Employment:

This position is available for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026, employment may continue at Dr. Roane's discretion. Please reach out to timberley.roane@ucdenver.edu with any questions. If both mentor and mentee agree, students can apply to continue with EURēCA! for a second year.

Application Requirements:

1. Resume
2. Cover letter
3. Unofficial Transcripts
4. Work-study is not required, but is preferred for this position.
   1. First complete 2025-2026 FAFSA or CASFA and confirm work-study eligibility with the CU Denver Financial Aid office.
   2. Once confirmed, attach email from Financial Aid stating potential work-study eligibility.
   3. Following interview and position offers, the EURēCA! Office will provide Work-study Authorization forms to confirm final work-study award amounts.

Learn more about work-study here or contact the Financial Aid Office with questions: FinancialAid@ucdenver.edu, 303-315-5969.