Colorado State University is hiring : SECURE Design Lead in Fort Collins

Please see Special Instructions for more details. To apply, please upload a cover letter that addresses the required and preferred job qualifications, a resume, and the contact information for three professional references. References will not be contacted without prior notification to candidates.

Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.

Working Title

Position Location

Position Location Fort Collins, CO

Work Location

Work Location Position is fully remote

Research Professional Position

Research Professional Position No

Posting Number

Posting Number 202501052AP

Position Type

Position Type Admin Professional / Research Professional

Classification Title

Classification Title Prof / Indiv Contrib III

Number of Vacancies

Work Hours / Week

Work Hours / Week 40

Proposed Annual Salary Range

Proposed Annual Salary Range $90,000-$115,000

Employee Benefits

Colorado State University is not just a workplace; it’s a thriving community that’s transforming lives and improving the human condition through world-class teaching, research, and service. With a robust benefits package, collaborative atmosphere, and focus on work-life balance, CSU is where you can thrive, grow, and make a lasting impact.

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11 : 59pm (MT) on

To ensure full consideration, applications must be received by 11 : 59pm (MT) on 09 / 08 / 2025

Description of Work Unit

The Office of the Vice President for Research ( OVPR ) has overall responsibility for promoting and facilitating the research enterprise at Colorado State University ( CSU ). The OVPR and its research enable the University, its faculty, staff, and students to be part of a world-class research institution complementing our learning, service, and outreach missions. The Office of the Vice President for Research leads the 21st Century Land-Grant mission of Colorado State University by fostering and supporting the research enterprise, promoting scholarship and artistry, and capitalizing on opportunities to address global challenges.

Founded in 1870, Colorado State University is among the nation’s leading research universities and enrolls approximately 32,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students. Located an hour north of the Denver metro area, Fort Collins is a vibrant community of approximately 157,000 residents that offers the convenience of a small town with all the amenities of a large city. Fort Collins is situated on the Front Range of the Rocky Mountains with views of 14,000 foot peaks, and offers access to numerous cultural, recreational, and outdoor opportunities.

Position Summary

The Design Lead will report to the Assistant Vice President, Research Administration and Co-Director of the Southwest Region of the of the National Science Foundation’s ( NSF ) Research Security and Integrity Information Sharing Analysis Organizations ( RSI - ISAO ) program. The RSI - ISAO effort is led by the University of Washington and entitled, “The SECURE Center : Safeguarding the Entire Community in the U.S. Research Ecosystem.”

We are looking for a collaborative and research-oriented Design Lead to join the SECURE Southwest Regional Hub, located at Colorado State University and Texas A&M University. As mandated in the “ CHIPS and Science Act of 2022,” the SECURE Center, a collaboration between nine institutions of higher education, will apply a co-design approach to serve as a clearinghouse for information to empower the research community to identify and mitigate threats that pose risks to the U.S. research enterprise.

The regional Design Lead will be responsible for (a) managing the regional co-design hub, (b) leading the planning and execution of design activities, and c) coordinating with other regional hubs.

Required Job Qualifications

Education :

Bachelor’s degree in fields such as Design, Human-Computer Interaction, Social Sciences, or Engineering

Experience : 3-5 years in design, user experience, service design, or a related field, with a focus on design or participatory design methodologies.

Background in user research, human-centered design, and / or product development

Skills : Excellent facilitation and communication skills, with the ability to engage and inspire stakeholders at all levels

Strong project management skills, including the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously

Proficiency in design and prototyping tools (e.g., Adobe Creative Suite, Figma)

Ability to translate complex ideas into actionable design responses and concrete artifacts

Personal Attributes : Empathy and a deep understanding of user needs and behaviors

Strong leadership and collaboration skills

Creative thinker with a passion for innovation

Self-motivated and able to work independently as well as part of a team

Comfortable with uncertainty and ambiguity

Preferred Job Qualifications Domain knowledge in research security, academia, or government

Experience leading co-design initiatives and activities

Experience with design and / or development in complex multi-stakeholder domains such as healthcare, education, policy, or cybersecurity

Job Duty Category Job Duty Category User Research & Insights

Duty / Responsibility

Gather, analyze, and synthesize user insights and feedback to inform design requirements and co-design activities

Ensure that user and stakeholder needs, pain points, and desires are deeply understood and integrated into the design of SECURE software products and services.

Use qualitative and quantitative data to synthesize design recommendations, guide decision-making, and validate design concepts.

Percentage Of Time Percentage Of Time 20

Job Duty Category

Job Duty Category Facilitation & Stakeholder Engagement

Duty / Responsibility

Organize and lead co-design workshops, ideation sessions, and collaborative events involving internal teams, stakeholders (research administrators, researchers, funders).

Foster strong relationships with diverse stakeholders, ensuring their active participation and meaningful contribution throughout the design process.

Percentage Of Time Percentage Of Time 20

Job Duty Category

Job Duty Category Project Management

Duty / Responsibility

Manage co-design projects from concept to completion, ensuring they are delivered on time, within scope, and on budget.

Develop project plans, set milestones, and track progress, while maintaining flexibility to adapt to changing needs and feedback.

Communicate project status, insights, and outcomes to stakeholders and senior leadership.

Percentage Of Time Percentage Of Time 10

Job Duty Category

Job Duty Category Design and Development

Duty / Responsibility

Work closely with the National Co-Creation team leadership and other teams to translate co-design outcomes into actionable design specifications, prototypes, and final products.

Oversee the iterative design process, ensuring that prototypes are tested with users and refined based on feedback.

Ensure that the final design solutions align with strategic objectives.

Percentage Of Time Percentage Of Time 20

Job Duty Category

Duty / Responsibility

Implement the SECURE Center’s National co-creation strategy and co-design best practices that aligns with the SECURE Center’s mission and vision.

Champion the co-design approach across the organization, advocating for user-centered, participatory, and collaborative design processes.

Percentage Of Time Percentage Of Time 20

Job Duty Category

Duty / Responsibility

Evaluate the effectiveness of co-design processes and make recommendations for continuous improvement.

Share learnings and insights with the broader organization to promote a culture of innovation and collaboration.

Percentage Of Time Percentage Of Time 10

Special Instructions to Applicants

To apply, please upload a cover letter that addresses the required and preferred job qualifications, a resume, and the contact information for three professional references. References will not be contacted without prior notification to candidates.

Please note, applicants may redact information from their application materials that identifies their age, date of birth, or dates of attendance at or graduation from an educational institution.

CSU is committed to full inclusion of qualified individuals. If you are needing assistance or accommodations with the search process, please reach out to the listed search contact.

Conditions of Employment

Conditions of Employment Pre-employment Criminal Background Check (required for new hires)

Search Contact

EEO

Colorado State University ( CSU ) provides equal employment opportunities to all applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

Colorado State University strives to provide a safe study, work, and living environment for its faculty, staff, volunteers and students. To support this environment and comply with applicable laws and regulations, CSU conducts background checks for the finalist before a final offer. The type of background check conducted varies by position and can include, but is not limited to, criminal history, sex offender registry, motor vehicle history, financial history, and / or education verification. Background checks will also be conducted when required by law or contract and when, in the discretion of the University, it is reasonable and prudent to do so.

References Requested References Requested

Minimum Requested 3

Maximum Requested 3

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