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 Research Specialist position will work with the Principal Investigator in Cancer Biology in the UW Laboratory of Marina Sharifi, M.D., Ph. D. at the UW Carbone Cancer Center. A major focus in the Sharifi lab includes studying mechanisms of targeted therapy resistance and circulating tumor cells. This research will focus on development of liquid biopsy assays as well as pre-clinical models of targeted therapy resistance in hormone-dependent cancers. The position requires the ability to work in a collaborative environment with other investigators on joint projects in this field. Involvement in these activities is expected to lead to scholarly work that will be published in scientific journals.
- This position requires work to be completed onsite, at a designated campus work location.
Candidates who demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities will be given first consideration:
- High level of attention to detail
- Excellent teamwork
- Excellent communication skills
Key Job Responsibilities:
- Performs literature reviews and writes reports
- Reviews, analyzes, and interprets data and/or documents results for presentations and/or reporting to internal and external audiences
- 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:
School of Medicine and Public Health, Carbone Cancer Center, Marina Sharifi Lab
Our mission is a commitment to defeating cancer through rapid application of groundbreaking research, prevention, and treatment. The University of Wisconsin (UW) Carbone Cancer Center has been an NCI-Recruitments: Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center since 1973. UW Carbone is an integral part of the UW School of Medicine and Public Health and UW Health, bringing together more than 330 physicians and scientists from 50 departments and nine schools to conduct research and translate laboratory discoveries into new patient treatments. UWCCC builds community by creating a collaborative, respectful, and welcoming environment in which all faculty, students, and staff will thrive.
Compensation:
The starting salary for the position is $46,000 annually; but is negotiable based 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. For more information, refer to the campus benefits webpage and the SMPH Academic Staff Benefits Flyer 2026.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Previous experience in molecular biology methods, next generation sequencing, or immunology is desired but not required.
- Experience with fluorescence microscopy is desire but not required.
- Experience with cell culture flow cytometry and microfluidic technologies is desired but not required.
Education:
- Bachelor’s Degree preferred; focus in Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Immunology, or other closely related biological science is preferred.
How to Apply:
For the best experience completing your application, we recommend using Chrome or Firefox as your web browser.
To apply for this position, select either “I am a current employee” or “I am not a current employee” under Apply Now. You will then be prompted to upload your application materials.
Important: The application has only one attachment field. Upload the following documents in that field, either as a single combined file or as multiple files in the same upload area. Failure to submit the required documents will result in no longer being considered for the position.
- Cover letter (required)
- Resume (required)
Your cover letter should address how your training and experience aligns with the required and preferred qualifications listed above. Application reviewers will rely on these written materials to determine which applicants move forward in the process. References will be requested from final candidates. All applicants will be notified once the search concludes and a candidate is selected.
University sponsorship is not available for this position, including transfers of sponsorship and TN visas. The selected applicant will be responsible for ensuring their continuous 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 the need of an employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment. This position is an ongoing position that will require continuous work eligibility. If you are selected for this position, you must provide proof of work authorization and eligibility to work.
The department will not be able to support a request for a J-1 waiver. If you choose to pursue a waiver and apply for our position, neither the UW nor UWMF will reimburse you for your legal or waiver fees.
Contact Information:
Aisha Liebenow, liebenow@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.