R2026105983 Waste-to-Value Economy (WAVE) Researcher (Open)

Position Summary

The Waste-to-Value Economy (WAVE) project team at Colorado State University seeks a highly motivated graduate student to support an interdisciplinary research initiative focused on circular economy innovation, waste-to-value systems, and regional sustainability. The project brings together researchers and stakeholders from environmental engineering, construction, agriculture, textiles, economic development, and sustainability to develop a location-based framework for identifying, prioritizing, and evaluating waste-to-value opportunities in Northern Colorado.

The Graduate Student will serve as a key member of the project team, supporting stakeholder engagement, data collection and synthesis, opportunity assessment, project coordination, and dissemination activities. This position provides an opportunity to contribute to applied sustainability research while gaining experience working on interdisciplinary projects that translate research into practical decision-support tools and future implementation opportunities.

Department Name

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Anticipated Start Date

August 24, 2026

Anticipated Weekly Hours

10

Required Job Qualifications

Graduate student in Civil/Environmental Engineering, Chemical and Biological Engineering, Construction Management, Sustainability, Environmental Studies, Supply Chain, Data Analytics, or related fields.

Background or interest in circular economy, sustainability, resilience, waste systems, or regional innovation.

Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Strong organizational skills.

Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary team.

Preferred Job Qualifications

Experience with stakeholder engagement and interdisciplinary collaboration.

Familiarity with GIS, qualitative research, sustainability frameworks, or data visualization.

Essential Duties

Assisting with literature reviews and synthesis related to circular economy systems, waste-to-value pathways, material reuse, and sustainability.

Supporting stakeholder outreach, scheduling, and engagement activities with municipalities, businesses, industry partners, and community organizations.

Assisting in the collection, organization, and synthesis of regional waste feedstock and material flow data.

Supporting development of GIS-based mapping and decision-support activities in coordination with project partners.

Assisting with interview protocols and customer discovery activities.

Supporting qualitative and quantitative data analysis activities.

Assisting in the development of reports, presentations, research publications, and external funding proposals.

Coordinating project meetings, documentation, and communication among interdisciplinary team members.

Supporting dissemination of findings through workshops, conferences, and stakeholder meetings.