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Research Specialist

Research Specialist

  • JR10010026
  • On Site
  • Madison, Wisconsin
  • Research
  • Full time
  • Opening at: Apr 9 2026 - 11:00pm CDT
  • Closing at: May 4 2026 - 11:00pm CDT
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Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.

Job Category:

Academic Staff

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Research Specialist

Job Summary:

The Jolink Lab (led by Dr. Tatum Jolink) is currently hiring a full-time research specialist in Social Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The Jolink Lab examines how people initiate, form, and strengthen close relationships; the basic behavioral and biological mechanisms at the root of high-quality interactions with close others; and how experiences in close relationships shape health. Individuals interested in using rigorous in-lab and longitudinal methods, such as behavioral, psychoneuroimmunological, psychophysiological, longitudinal, and app-based methods are encouraged to apply. The research specialist will work closely with Dr. Jolink to launch and manage the lab, providing administrative and research support to ensure smooth day-to-day operations of the lab. Qualities related to organizational and interpersonal skills will be highly valued. The position offers a unique opportunity to see (and help oversee) a research lab built from the ground up and to be part of a team that seeks to make significant contributions to both relationship science and health. This position is especially well-suited for graduating or recently graduated undergrads thinking about graduate school. Join me as we launch the lab opening this September in Madison!

This position is for a minimum of 1 year with the opportunity to renew for up to 3 years total.

Key Job Responsibilities:

  • Reviews, analyzes, and interprets data and/or documents results for presentations and/or reporting to internal and external audiences
  • Performs literature reviews and writes reports 
  • Conducts research experiments according to established research protocols with moderate impact to the project(s). Collects data and monitors test results
  • Participates in the development, interpretation, and implementation of research methodology and materials
  • Operates, cleans, and maintains organization of research equipment and research area. Tracks inventory levels and places replenishment orders
  • Provides operational guidance on day-to-day activities of unit or program staff and/or student workers

Department:

College of Letters & Science | Department of Psychology

Compensation:

The expected salary range for this position is $44,543 - $63,697 for highly experienced candidates. Actual pay within this range will depend on experience and qualifications.  

 

Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and sick leave; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. Please review the summary of benefits for more information. 

Required Qualifications:

  • Minimum 2 years research lab experience
  • Demonstrated excellent interpersonal and organizational skills with strong attention to detail
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills to coordinate with study participants, team members, other departments, outside institutions, and vendors; and the ability to multi-task in a fast-paced environment
  • Ability to work well independently, complete projects in a timely manner, and prioritize multiple projects to ensure the completion of essential tasks by deadlines 
  • Demonstrated understanding and experience with psychological research in order to contribute to conceptual discussions, study design and development, and research papers, possibly leading to authorship in resulting publications
  • Strong proficiency using software such as Microsoft Office and G-suite
     

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience programming studies with Qualtrics
  • Experience cleaning or analyzing data with statistical software such as R or SPSS is highly desirable
  • Experience creating, adapting, and/or documenting protocols (e.g., organizational or personnel procedures)
     

Education:

Bachelor’s degree in psychology, cognitive science, neuroscience or related field, required

How to Apply:

Click the "Apply" button to start the application process.  

  

To be considered for this recruitment, you must upload:  

-Resume   

-Cover Letter  

  

The materials should address your experience relating to the qualifications referenced above.  Specifically, applicants should describe why they are interested in this position and how their previous experience makes them qualified.

  

There is only one attachment field; please upload all application materials here. All listed application materials must be submitted for your application to be considered. Please submit only the materials specified; additional materials will not be reviewed.  

Selected applicants will receive an invitation to participate in interviews approximately 10-15 business days following the application deadline.

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.

Contact Information:

Tatum Jolink, tatum.jolink@wisc.edu

Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information. 

Institutional Statement on Diversity:

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.

To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment. 
 
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7). 
 
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.

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