Research Specialist

About this role

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 Wisconsin Crop Innovation Center (WCIC) at the University of Wisconsin–Madison is seeking a highly motivated, independent, and detail-oriented individual to join the Monocot Research and Development (R&D) Team as a Research Specialist.

WCIC is a ~100,000 square foot state-of-the-art agricultural biotechnology center dedicated to advancing crop improvement for the benefit of people, livestock, and the environment. In support of this mission, the Monocot R&D Team focuses on developing and optimizing transformation technologies for monocot crop species. This is an exciting opportunity for someone passionate about plant science and eager to contribute across a diverse range of research activities. This position offers hands-on experience across multiple aspects of plant biotechnology, including plasmid construction, plant transformation and tissue culture, molecular genotyping (PCR and next-generation sequencing), greenhouse management of transgenic plants, and stewardship of regulated materials during field trials in compliance with USDA regulations.

Working under moderate supervision, the candidate will play a key role in supporting both scientific research and coordinating day-to-day activities, ensuring projects are completed efficiently and in alignment with established research objectives. Primary responsibilities include organizing and executing experiments, collecting and analyzing data to support process improvement initiatives, training and mentoring student employees, managing laboratory supplies and inventory, and maintaining an organized and efficient research environment. The successful candidate will gain practical experience in plant genetics while also seeing how genetic discoveries translate into real-world outcomes.

Key Job Responsibilities: • Operates, cleans, and maintains organization of research equipment and research area. Tracks inventory levels and places replenishment orders

• Participates in the development, interpretation, and implementation of research methodology and materials

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

• 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

Department: The Wisconsin Crop Innovation Center (WCIC)

Compensation: The starting salary for the position is $48,000 annually; but is negotiable based on experience and qualifications. Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and paid time off; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. Additional benefits information can be found at:   https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/fasl.pdf

Required Qualifications: • Minimum of 1 year of laboratory experience in academic, industry, or research settings (may include undergraduate research experience) • Minimum of 1 year of experience performing data collection, recordkeeping, and basic data analysis

Preferred Qualifications: • Experience with plant tissue culture and/or plant transformation techniques • Experience with standard molecular biology techniques, including DNA extraction, PCR, cloning, plasmid preparation, and gel electrophoresis

• Experience training or mentoring students, interns, or laboratory personnel

Education: Bachelor’s degree required in a science field (e.g., Biology, Physics, Chemistry or similar scientific fields)

Bachelor's degree preferred i n plant biology, molecular biology, plant biotechnology, plant physiology, horticulture, crop science, botany, or similar field

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 into the one attachment field. All listed application materials must be received to be considered.

Finalists will be asked to provide contact information (phone and email) for three references, one of which must be a current or former supervisor. References will not be contacted without prior notice.

It’s important that your cover letter and resume reflect your experience for this position related to the Qualifications section. Your application materials will be used during our evaluation to determine your qualifications as they relate to the job.  The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their 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 need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of the appointment. University sponsorship is not available for this position.

Work Schedule: Normal hours are 8:00am – 5:00pm, Monday through Friday.   Occasional nights and weekends may be required for this position.

Additional Information: • Criminal Background Check may be required • A 12-month evaluation Period may be required

Contact Information: Sonia Parker, CALS HR Generalist sonia.parker@wisc.edu 608-890-2547

Institutional Statement on Diversity: Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person a

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