Research Professor

UWMSN University of Wisconsin Madison; United States; Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 90,000; Part time

Job summary

University of Wisconsin–Madison seeks a Research Professor in the Department of Medical Physics to lead translational biomarker research for neurodegenerative diseases. This role focuses on discovery, design, validation, and translation of molecular biomarkers using imaging, immunoassay, proteomics and other platforms.

The candidate will drive high-quality research, secure external funding to cover most salary, and operate in a part-time, 50% capacity with possible in-person and some remote work.

Qualifications

• Proven expertise in discovery, development, and validation of molecular biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases.
• Expertise in biomarkers for Alzheimer's and related dementias, Parkinsonian disorders, or proteinopathies.
• Minimum eight years postdoctoral experience in academia and/or industry.
• Demonstrated leadership of multidisciplinary biomarker programs with translational focus.
• Proven record as PI or co-PI on competitive extramural funding.
• Strong publication record and scientific impact.
• Experience mentoring scientists and leading teams.

Responsibilities

• Secure intramural and extramural funding for research programs.
• Direct scientific processes and policies for compliance and ethics.
• Supervise day-to-day activities of research staff.
• Publish research, present at conferences, and contribute to scholarly work.

Skills

Biomarker discovery

Biomarker validation

Leadership

Mentoring

Grant funding

Multidisciplinary collaboration

Education

PhD in Chemistry / Biochemistry / Molecular Biology / Pharmacology

Tools

Imaging techniques

Immunoassay

Proteomics

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

Research Professor

Job Summary

The Department of Medical Physics seeks a Research Professor to join a multi-disciplinary, highly collaborative research team dedicated to developing, validating, and clinically translating protein- and pathway-based biomarkers that measure core biological mechanisms underlying neurodegenerative diseases, including protein aggregation and other disease-associated molecular processes. This position leads cutting-edge translational research with a direct emphasis on developing novel biomarkers contributing to dementia. The Research Professor will lead the discovery, design, validation, and translation of molecular biomarkers using complementary approaches that may include molecular imaging, immunoassay, proteomic, biochemical, and other molecular platforms. This position will focus on high quality research. The successful candidate is expected to secure and sustain extramural funding to cover at least 95% of their total salary and associated fringe benefits from sources external to the School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) and the home unit. This position is part-time, 50% 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

• Secures intramural and extramural funding through grants to establish financial independence for research program(s).
• Formulates and directs research program scientific and technical processes and policies and procedures to ensure compliance with established financial, ethical, and administrative requirements and standards.
• Supervises the day-to-day operational activities of research program staff.
• Develops and publishes research content in peer-reviewed publications, presents materials at conferences, participates as an editor for publications, and/or participates in committees.

Department

School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Medical Physics Medical physics was established as a specialty focus within the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health, creating the first and only basic science Department of Medical Physics of its kind in the country. Faculty within the department have a scholarly focus on discoveries and inventions in imaging and therapy systems, that lead to scientific translation into clinical trials or to industrial translation to create products through collaboration or via new venture entrepreneurship. Medical physics is led by 30 core faculty with 45 affiliate and 14 emeritus faculty members, with many having joint appointments in clinical departments such as Radiology and Human (Radiation) Oncology.

Compensation

Compensation: Negotiable, 12 month 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

• Proven expertise in the discovery, development, and validation of novel molecular biomarkers targeting the core underlying mechanisms of neurodegenerative diseases.
• Demonstrated expertise in biomarkers relevant to Alzheimer's disease and related dementias, Parkinsonian disorders, and/or other proteinopathy-associated neurodegenerative diseases
• Minimum of eight years postdoctoral experience in academic and/or biopharmaceutical/industry environments.
• Demonstrated leadership of multidisciplinary biomarker development programs involving academic and/or industry collaborators, including responsibility for scientific strategy and translational implementation.
• Proven history as principal investigator or co-principal investigator on competitive extramural research funding, including federal, foundation, industry, or equivalent international sources.
• Record of scientific impact demonstrated through high-impact, peer-reviewed publications and other scholarly contributions
• Experience mentoring scientists and leading multidisciplinary research teams.
• Education: PhD in Chemistry, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Pharmacology, or a related biomedical science field required.

Eligibility

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.

Contact Information

Gabby Fisk, [e-mail] 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.

Work with purpose, make an impact, and grow your career. The University of Wisconsin–Madison is committed to equity, inclusion and employee well-being as we proudly work to improve the lives of people in Wisconsin and beyond. UW–Madison offers a wide range of professions that cover various interests and skill levels. We employ everything from accountants to arborists, chefs to custodians, editors to electricians, graphic designers to groundskeepers, HR associates to HVAC technicians, librarians to locksmiths, mechanics to medical assistants, painters to police officers, web designers to welders, and absolutely everything in between! No matter what you are looking for professionally, chances are you will not only find it but will thrive at it while working at the University of Wisconsin–Madison.