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Research Specialist

Research Specialist

  • JR10012829
  • On Site
  • Madison, Wisconsin
  • Research
  • Full time
  • Closing at: Jul 31 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 Rosenberg Lab in the Department of Neuroscience is seeking a Research Specialist to assist in our lab's goal of understanding how the brain uses visual information to guide goal-directed actions. For this position, the Rosenberg Lab is seeking an independent, highly motivated, detail-oriented individual with excellent organizational skills to be involved in all steps of the research process.

Duties of the position will include:

  • Working with and caring for research animals. Duties here include, facilitating treatments and surgical procedures for animals with veterinary and services staff, assisting in planning and performing animal surgical procedures, training and caring for animals under established IACUC protocols, and performing research experiments as directed by the principal investigator.

  • Preparation of animal and animal samples in coordination with pathology services, including tissue harvesting, tissue sectioning, immunohistochemical staining, and tissue imaging.

  • Laboratory maintenance and organization: maintaining supply inventory and ordering reagents, consumables, and equipment; maintaining detailed records of animal procedures and health histories; assisting in updating laboratory biosafety, chemical hygiene, and animal use protocols; and maintaining safety and procedure training records for lab personnel.

  • Supervision and training of laboratory staff and students.

Candidates who demonstrate the following knowledge, skills and abilities will be given first consideration:

  • Previous experience working with and caring for nonhuman primates, particularly in support of behavioral and neuroscience studies.

This position requires work to be completed onsite, at a designated campus work location.

Key Job Responsibilities:

  • Provides operational guidance on day-to-day activities of unit or program staff and/or student workers

Updates and ensures compliance with biosafety, chemical hygiene, and animal use protocols

Supervises and trains incoming students on the lab's animal, chemical hygiene, and biosafety procedures

Coordinates animal activities with external sources, including animal facilities and colony services

  • 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

Department:

School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Neuroscience, Rosenberg Lab

Compensation:

The starting salary for the position is $45,879 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.

Required Qualifications:

  • At least one year of experience in a research or clinical laboratory setting; laboratory experience gained through coursework or professional training will be considered

  • Self-motivated with excellent interpersonal skills

  • Must be able to work as an integral part of a team, as well as work independently

  • Demonstrated ability to learn and perform complicated tasks through instruction and independent study

  • Meticulous attention to detail, as well as strong organization and prioritization skills

  • Demonstrated customer service skills necessary

  • Excellent verbal and written communications skills

  • Demonstrated proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint

  • Must be comfortable working with Macintosh and PC computers

  • Demonstrated complex problem-solving skills

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Previous experience working with and caring for nonhuman primates, particularly in support of behavioral and neuroscience studies.

  • Experience in an academic research laboratory desirable

Education:

Bachelor's degree preferred; focus in zoology, biology, medical technology, clinical laboratory science, animal sciences ore related field preferred.

Consideration will be given to veterinary technicians and laboratory animal technicians.

How to Apply:

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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.

  • Cover Letter required

  • Resume required

  • A minimum of one letter of recommendation 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 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.

No Visa Sponsorship: 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. 

No J1 Waiver: 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:

Jennifer Scheuer, jscheuer@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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