Davies Lab Scientist I or II

University of Wisconsin; Madison (WI); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 81,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Wisconsin–Madison invites applications for a Scientist I in the School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Davies Lab. This role focuses on clinical and translational cancer research, not bench science, supporting recruitment and study development.

The successful candidate will work with multidisciplinary teams, patients, and study sites, performing interviews, data collection, and literature reviews while contributing to grant

Qualifications

• Background in social sciences.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).
• Experience with qualitative research analysis software.

Responsibilities

• Collects and analyzes research data, conducts interviews and documents results according to policies and procedures under supervision.
• Assists with identification of research problems and development of methodologies.
• Serves as a main point of contact with internal and external stakeholders for a specialized research area.
• Attends and assists with scholarly events and presentations to support professional development and dissemination of research information.
• Conducts literature reviews, prepares reports and materials, and disseminates information.
• Writes or assists in developing grant applications and proposals to secure research funding.

Skills

Social sciences background

Education

PhD in related field

Tools

Qualitative data analysis software

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Job description

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:

Scientist I

Job Summary:

This position is focused on clinical and translational cancer research rather than basic science laboratory research. While the position supports research studies and clinical trials, it does not involve bench science, laboratory experimentation, or routine operation of scientific laboratory equipment. Training in mixed methods techniques as applied to clinical trial recruitment will be provided. The successful candidate will work closely with multidisciplinary research teams, patients, and study sites to support recruitment, implementation, and development of clinical research studies.

• 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.

• This position has been identified as a position of trust with access to vulnerable populations. The selected candidate will be required to pass an initial caregiver check to be eligible for employment under the Wisconsin Caregiver Law and every four years.

• Applicants for this position will be considered for the following titles: Scientist I and Scientist II. The title is determined by the experience and qualifications of the finalist.

• This vacancy is being announced simultaneously with JR#10011794; please note that only one vacancy exists. Having two job postings allows the department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery to consider candidates with both Scientist and Researcher qualifications for this position.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• 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
• 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
• Attends and assists with the facilitation of scholarly events and presentations in support of continued professional development and the dissemination of research information
• Conducts literature reviews, prepares reports and materials, and disseminates information to appropriate entities
• Writes or assists in developing grant applications and proposals to secure research funding

Department:

School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Davies Lab

In 1930, Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery (Oto-HNS) was added as a division within the University of Wisconsin Department of Surgery. In 2025, after decades of growth and achievement, the division became an independent department within the School of Medicine and Public Health. Oto-HNS includes seven divisions: otology and neurotology, laryngology, pediatric otolaryngology, comprehensive otolaryngology, rhinology and skull base surgery, head and neck oncologic surgery, and facial plastic and reconstructive surgery. We provide a full range of state-of-the‑art specialized care for adults and children at six clinical practice sites in the Madison area, and six outreach sites across Wisconsin and Illinois. Our team of nationally and internationally renowned faculty and residents prioritizes a collaborative culture, engaging with specialists across our practice sites and throughout campus. The department offers the highest quality of education to a large variety of learners, providing training to well over 100 individuals each year through clinical rotations, extramurally funded traineeships, externships and more.

Compensation:

The starting salary for this position is $70,000, but is negotiable based 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:

• Background in social sciences.

• Facility with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

• Experience working with qualitative research analysis software.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Candidates with experience and/or current credentials to work within the research systems of the Department of Veterans Affairs, as well as research that comes from federally and other funding type systems is preferred.

Education:

PhD in a related field is required.

Contact Information:

Caitlin Spaulding, [e-mail], 608-265-1325

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 OpportunityEmployer.

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 backgroundsand 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.