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:
Terminal (Fixed Term)
Job Profile:
Scientist I
Job Summary:
The Hryckowian Lab (Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology) seeks a Scientist I to drive high-impact, hands-on research on a newly funded NIH R01 focused on how the microbiome-derived metabolite butyrate shapes Clostridioides difficile fitness and pathogenesis. This role will take intellectual and operational ownership of a major experimental arc that integrates anaerobic bacterial culture, mechanistic molecular and systems-level approaches, and murine CDI models to define how butyrate alters sporulation, toxin release, and in vivo fitness. The Scientist I will be expected to execute with urgency and rigor, communicate clearly, and help set and maintain the bar for science in the lab through strong project management, documentation, and mentorship. In addition to advancing the butyrate-C. difficile program, the position will include additional responsibilities as needed to support lab priorities and momentum. In addition to work with C. difficile, the lab has diverse projects investigating various aspects of bacterial pathogenesis and commensalism. All of these projects are unified under the common goal of developing non-antibiotic strategies to combat bacterial pathogens. The position is full-time and onsite in the Microbial Sciences Building.
This position requires work to be completed onsite, at a designated campus work location.
Terminal, 24 month appointment
This position has the possibility to be extended or converted to an ongoing appointment based on need and/or funding.
Candidates who demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities will be given first consideration:
Demonstrated ability to design rigorous experiments, troubleshoot independently, and deliver results on realistic timelines with meticulous record-keeping and organization.
Excellent communication skills (written and oral), including comfort presenting data and contributing to manuscripts and/or grant materials.
Ability to collect, analyze, and document research data according to established policies and procedures, and to support dissemination of results (reports, presentations, publications).
Collaborative, team-forward mindset and commitment to being a positive presence in a lab environment (including mentoring junior lab members and leading by example).
Willingness to take on additional responsibilities as needed to support lab priorities and maintain momentum (e.g., project coordination, training, serving as a liaison with internal/external stakeholders).
Strong scientific writing and presentation skills.
Evidence of maturity as a teammate and culture carrier, including mentoring trainees and functioning as a reliable point of contact with collaborators, cores, and internal stakeholders.
Comfort flexing across priorities, including additional responsibilities as needed, with high standards for rigor, documentation, timelines, and accountability.
Key Job Responsibilities:
- Writes or assists in developing grant applications and proposals to secure research funding
- Conducts literature reviews, prepares reports and materials, and disseminates information to appropriate entities
- Serves as a main point of contact and liaison with internal and external stakeholders providing information and representing the interests of a specialized research area
- Collects and analyzes research data, conducts experiments and interviews, and documents results according to established policies and procedures under general supervision and limited responsibility
- Assists with the identification of research problems and the development of research methodologies and procedures
- Attends and assists with the facilitation of scholarly events and presentations in support of continued professional development and the dissemination of research information
Department:
School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hryckowian Lab
With a distinguished team of over 40 exceptional faculty members and 10 advanced practice providers, the University of Wisconsin Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is renowned for delivering high-value patient care, driving innovative research, and shaping the future leaders of gastroenterology and hepatology. At the forefront of our division's success is a comprehensive range of clinical programs that are considered among the best in the field. Recognized by U.S. News & World Report, the UW Health Gastroenterology and GI surgery program consistently ranks within the top 50 nationwide, a testament to our commitment to excellence. Additionally, our UW Health liver transplant program is nationally acclaimed as a Center of Excellence, acknowledged by most insurance networks for its exceptional standards.
Compensation:
The expected salary range for this position is $60,000 up to $80,000 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 and the SMPH Faculty /Academic Staff Benefits Flyer 2026.
Required Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
Deep experience with bacterial genetics and mechanistic microbiology, ideally in anaerobes and/or C. difficile (or closely related Gram-positive pathogens).
Prior experience with animal models of infection/colonization, including careful study planning and execution; gnotobiotic experience is a plus.
Facility with multi-omics and/or quantitative approaches relevant to the project (for example metabolomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, microbiome profiling), and comfort leveraging these data to generate experiments that lead to mechanistic insights.
Experience contributing to grants, manuscripts, and dissemination of results.
Education:
Ph.D. in microbiology, molecular biology, immunology, biomedical sciences, or related field is required.
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.
• 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.
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 currently scheduled to end two years from date of hire and will require eligibility to work until that time. If you are selected for this position you must provide proof of work authorization and eligibility to work.
Contact Information:
Dr. Andrew Hryckowian, hryckowian@medicine.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.