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Research Specialist

Research Specialist

  • JR10009622
  • On Site
  • Madison, Wisconsin
  • Research
  • Full time
  • Closing at: Jun 2 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 Research Specialist will participate in field leading research on stem cell-derived islets and isolating human islets from cadaver donors. This position will maintain and differentiate human pluripotent stem cells into pancreatic cells and insulin producing cells using established protocols; perform quality control assays on cell starting material and cell products. The Research Specialist will learn and participate in all islet cell isolations with a team, and be a significant team member of the Islet Isolation Core and the Integrated Islet Distribution Program. This person will also participate in the care of mice before, during and after procedures, as well as perform/learn assays such as QPCR, ELISA, flow cytometry, immunostaining, cytotoxicity assays, ECM production and image analysis of stained tissues.

For more information on this cutting edge research and the Odorico Lab, please visit

https://www.surgery.wisc.edu/research/researchers-labs/odorico/

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

Key Job Responsibilities:

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

The Wisconsin Department of Surgery is one of the leading surgical programs in the nation, excelling in patient care, surgical education, and surgical research. We are composed of more than 130 full-time faculty across 10 divisions and nearly 200 additional staff who support our mission. Our surgeons perform almost 20,000 operations per year for pediatric and adult patients. Training the next generation of surgeons and clinician-scientists is integral in our department, with more than 100 residents and fellows trained each year. The department is consistently among the top surgery programs with extramural research funding, ranking seventh nationally in NIH funding over the last 10 years.

Compensation:

The starting salary for the position is $50,000; but is negotiable based on experience and qualifications.

Required Qualifications:

  • Minimum of 1 year research laboratory experience
  • Experience with human pluripotent stem cell culture and differentiation

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Experience with pancreatic islet biology and stem cell biology  
  • Experience with mouse handling/procedures and routine cellular and molecular assays
  • Experience with multiple assays used in immunology research

Education:

Bachelor’s Degree Preferred

How to Apply:

To apply for this position, please click on the "I am a current employee" button or "I am not a current employee" button under Apply Now. You will be prompted to upload the following documents.

  • Cover Letter
  • Resume

Please note, there is only one attachment field. You must upload all your documents in the attachment field.

Applicants are to submit a cover letter and resume detailing their training and experience relating to the required and preferred qualifications referenced above. The application reviewers will be relying on written application materials to determine which qualified applicants will advance in the recruitment process. We will notify selected applicants to participate further in the selection process directly. References will be requested of final candidates. All applicants will be notified after the search is complete and a candidate has been 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:

Samantha Connell, slconnell2@wisc.edu, 608-265-5311

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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