Research Specialist

UWMSN University of Wisconsin Madison; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 43,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

The Wisconsin Crop Innovation Center (WCIC) at the University of Wisconsin–Madison is seeking a Research Specialist to support monocot transformation projects. You will conduct experiments, collect data, and help maintain rigorous research protocols under moderate supervision in a cutting‑edge facility.

Responsibilities include coordinating day‑to‑day activities, training student workers, and contributing to data analyses and reports.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 1 year of laboratory experience in academic, industry, or research settings.
• Minimum of 1 year of experience performing data collection, recordkeeping, and basic data analysis.

Responsibilities

• Organizes and executes experiments and collects data to support project objectives.
• Trains and mentors student employees and manages laboratory supplies.
• Maintains an organized research environment and prepares reports for stakeholders.

Skills

Laboratory experience

Data collection

Documentation

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

PCR

Gel electrophoresis

DNA extraction

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 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 in plant biology, molecular biology, plant biotechnology, plant physiology, horticulture, crop science, botany, or similar field

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 [e-mail] 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 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.