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Research Specialist

Research Specialist

  • JR10011981
  • On Site
  • Madison, Wisconsin
  • Research
  • Closing at: Jun 28 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 successful applicant for this position will be a member of the Behavioral Management Unit within the Animal Services Division, serving in the performance of a variety of tasks related to behavioral enrichment projects involving nonhuman primates.  The candidate will serve under the direction of the Behavioral Management Unit head and report to the Behavioral Management Coordinator.  

Key Job Responsibilities:

  • 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
  • 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

Department: WNPRC Behavioral Services Unit

Compensation: Minimum salary starting at $46,700

Required Qualifications:

  • Experience with literature review, data collection, graphic and statistical analysis.

  • Excellent oral and written communication skills, ability to work as part of a collaborative team, consistent attention to detail in performing job duties according to standard operating procedures, and strong organizational skills.

  • Experience using computers, including proficiency in the use of Microsoft Office applications on both Apple and PC platforms.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Minimum of one-year hands-on experience working with nonhuman primates highly desirable, with training in behavioral observation; understanding of experimental design, cognitive and motor testing; experience with shaping behavior and experience with positive reinforcement training.

  • Expertise with database programs.

Education:

BS or BA in psychology, anthropology, biological or animal sciences.

How to Apply:

We are eager to learn more about how your experience and passion may align with this position. Please submit a cover letter referring to your related work experience and a resume detailing your educational and professional background. Please keep in mind, applicants need to articulate all required qualifications in their cover letter and/or resume. The application reviewers will be relying on written application materials to determine who may advance to preliminary interviews.

Additional information:

  • Applicant must be comfortable working with nonhuman primates and with wearing various required personal protective equipment (PPE).

  • Technician must be able to stand, stoop or climb without assistance and consistently lift and carry objects weighing up to 40 pounds.

  • Must be willing to work nights, weekends, holidays, and overtime as required, as well as participate in training and occupational health and safety programs.

  • Must possess a valid driver's license that meets standards of UW Risk Management in order to operate WNPRC vehicles.

  • This position is 100% onsite and not eligible for remote work.

  • Incumbent may be assigned to work at the WNPRC's central location on campus or at either of two satellite facilities in BlueMounds or at the Wisconsin Institutes for Medical Research (WIMR), near UW Hospital.

  • Negative TB test required.

  • Number of individuals supervised: 0

University sponsorship is not available for this position, including transfers of sponsorship. 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. UW-Madison is not an E-Verify employer, and therefore, is not eligible to employ F1 STEM OPT Extension participants. If you are selected for this position, you must provide proof of work authorization and eligibility to work.

The Wisconsin National Primate Research Center (WNPRC) is one of seven federally supported National Primate Research Centers and the only one in the Midwest. WNPRC's mission is to increase the understanding of basic primate biology and to improve human health and quality of life through research. To accomplish this, the WNPRC helps discover treatments, preventions and cures for human disease; generates new knowledge of primate biology, from the molecular and whole animal levels to the understanding of primate ecosystems; facilitates research progress by providing expertise, resources and training to scientists worldwide; and collects primate information and disseminates to the research community and to the public.

Based in the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research (OVCR) of the University of Wisconsin- Madison (UW-Madison), the WNPRC is committed to diversity both as an end in itself, but also as a valuable means for eliminating health disparities through research.

Contact Information:

HR Generalist: Kate Rouman

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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