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Research Specialist

Research Specialist

  • JR10010408
  • Hybrid
  • Milwaukee, Wisconsin
  • Research
  • Full time
  • Closing at: Jun 3 2026 - 11:00pm CDT
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Job Category:

Academic Staff

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Research Specialist

Job Summary:

The AHW-funded Community and Cancer Science Network (CCSN) was established to address cancer in Wisconsin (WI), the second highest cause of mortality in our state. CCSN's initial charge was to address breast and lung cancer disparities. To effectively address a problem as multifactorial and interconnected as cancer disparities, an approach which engages various sectors with knowledge of the biology, behavior, and/or the socio-cultural and physical environments contributing to disparities is required.

Phase 1, Co-learning and Planning. CCSN Collaborative Work Group Initiative brought together various sectors including researchers, community-based organizations and community members. The overarching goal was to use CCSN's transdisciplinary approach to develop solutions to breast and lung cancer disparities in four communities: Milwaukee (breast and lung), Racine (breast), Walworth (breast), and in the Lac du Flambeau tribal area. Five community-academic workgroups

were established to participate in a facilitated collaboration and learning process guided by the CCSN's theory of change rooted in a four-phase model of transdisciplinary team-based research.

Phase 2, Solutions and Implementation. Guided by the socio-ecological model, the three-year Phase 2 transdisciplinary implementation focuses on multiple levels of impact in each community, including people, practice and policy. The locally relevant and culturally grounded approaches will: 1) increase awareness of cancer risks, prevention, and screening, 2) improve access to cancer prevention and early detection efforts, and 3) foster equitable systems. Phase 2 implementation will be led by

experienced local teams and reflect the transdisciplinary orientation and grounding established in Phase 1. To ensure progress, the Phase 2 Implementation will be guided by an experienced leadership team led by faculty co-PI, Staci Young, PhD, and community co-PI, David Frazer.

This position will provide planning and implementation evaluation. It will plan and facilitate the evaluation of the Implementation Team through the Phase 2 workplans for work addressing breast cancer disparities in Racine and Milwaukee. The position will utilize Developmental Evaluation, in consultation with the CCSN Evaluator, to enhance the partnerships and collaboration of the Implementation Work Groups and actual outcomes of the initiative.

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

  • Excellent time management skills

  • Ability to work with a variety of internal and external stakeholders via various modes of communication

Must provide a valid driver's license. Employees may use their own transportation or receive approval for University Car Fleet usage. Employment is conditional pending the results of a Pre-hire Driver Authorization Check.  See https://businessservices.wisc.edu/managing-risk/driver-authorization-and-insurance/driver-authorization/#become-authorized-driver (click on “Become an authorized driver;” then click on “Required criteria

This position may require some work to be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location. Some work may be performed remotely, at an offsite, non-campus work location.

Key Job Responsibilities:

  • 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
  • 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
  • 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, Center for Urban Population Health (CUPH)

Initiated in 2001, the Center is made up of faculty and staff from UW School of Medicine and Public Health, UW-Milwaukee and Advocate Aurora Research Institute. We are co-located and work together based on project needs and expertise. Disparities in health continue to highlight the inequities that exist across our communities. We seek to broadly understand what contributes to the health of a community. We bring forward what science and academia has learned and can appropriately adapt it with organizations working to address them. We aim to be responsive, intentional, ethical and flexible. We do this through a few key activities: convening and planning; capacity building; research and assessment; and evaluation.

Compensation:

The expected salary range for this position is $65,000 up to $70,000 for highly experienced candidates and 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. For more information, refer to the campus benefits webpage. SMPH Faculty /Academic Staff Benefits Flyer 2026

Required Qualifications:

  • Working knowledge of the stakeholders working with federally qualified health centers. Working knowledge of stakeholders working to address breast cancer in younger women.

  • Previous experience in evaluation planning and implementation in community settings, including with community clinics.

  • Previous developmental evaluation planning and implementation.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • At least 2 years of working knowledge of the stakeholders working with federally qualified health centers in Milwaukee and Racine. At least 2 years of working knowledge of stakeholders working to address breast cancer in younger women in Milwaukee and Racine.

  • At least 2 years of previous experience evaluation planning and implementation in community settings, including with community clinics.

  • At least 2 years of previous experience in developmental evaluation planning and implementation.

Education: Bachelor's degree 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

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

Contact Information:

David Frazer, dfrazer@wisc.edu, 414-550-5216

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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