Research Specialist-Grader

UW School of Medicine and Public Health; Madison (WI); Hybrid; USD 40,000 - 49,000; Full time

Job summary

The Wisconsin Reading Center within UW–Madison’s Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences seeks a Research Specialist for retina image evaluation and data entry for clinical trials. The role involves preparing images, classifying observations, and supporting quality control.

Remote work is offered with quarterly on-site requirements in Madison, WI, and a 12-month term with potential extension. Bachelor’s degree preferred; strong MS Office skills and careful attention to detail are

Qualifications

• Familiarity with computers, MS Office applications.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to work independently as well as on a team.
• Normal color vision and stereoscopic acuity.

Responsibilities

• Performs literature reviews and writes reports.
• Reviews, analyzes, and interprets data for presentations and reporting.
• Provides operational guidance to staff and student workers.
• Operates, cleans, and maintains research equipment; tracks inventory.
• Participates in development and implementation of research methodology.
• Conducts research experiments per established protocols; collects data and monitors results.

Skills

MS Office

Organizational skills

Color vision

Education

Bachelor's Degree Preferred

Tools

Ophthalmic image review software

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

Terminal (Fixed Term)

Job Profile

Research Specialist

Job Summary

The Wisconsin Reading Center (WRC) is a core retinal image reading lab within the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (DOVS). The WRC was founded on the enduring principles of intellectual honesty, quality, relevance, innovation, and staff satisfaction. Incepted in 1970 to support the seminal NIH-funded trials of laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy (DR), the WRC has broadened its scope to the evaluation of many retinal diseases, including dry AMD, atrophic AMD, neovascular AMD, DME, retinal vein occlusion, posterior uveitis, inherited retinal disease, AIDS-related ocular disease, and cataract. This position will focus on retina eye evaluation for the Wisconsin Reading Center for pharmaceutical and research clinical trials. They will be responsible for preparing images for evaluation, classifying observed changes, entering data into FDA compliant electronic case report forms, and participating in quality control exercises. Imaging modes may include but are not limited to microperimetry, stereoscopic color fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography.

• Terminal 12 month appointment: This position has the possibility to be extended or converted to an ongoing appointment based on need and/or funding.
• It is anticipated that this position will be remote and requires work be performed at an offsite, non-campus work location. It is required that employees come into Madison, WI, quarterly on preset dates. It will be the employee's responsibility to cover expenses for this trip unless funding is available and approved.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Performs literature reviews and writes reports
• Reviews, analyzes, and interprets data and/or documents results for presentations and/or reporting to internal and external audiences
• Provides operational guidance on day-to-day activities of unit or program staff and/or student workers
• 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
• Conducts research experiments according to established research protocols with moderate impact to the project(s). Collects data and monitors test results

Department

School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Wisconsin Reading Center.

The Wisconsin Reading Center (WRC) is a core retinal image reading lab within the University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (DOVS). The WRC was founded on the enduring principles of intellectual honesty, quality, relevance, innovation, and staff satisfaction. Incepted in 1970 to support the seminal NIH-funded trials of laser treatment for diabetic retinopathy (DR), the WRC has broadened its scope to the evaluation of many retinal diseases, including dry AMD, atrophic AMD, neovascular AMD, DME, retinal vein occlusion, posterior uveitis, inherited retinal disease, AIDS-related ocular disease, and cataract.

Why Join Us

This position offers remote work with the requirement to be on-site quarterly. We provide flexible work schedules, comprehensive benefits, and professional development. Our team is passionate about making a positive impact on eye disease, and we are looking for individuals who share that commitment.

Compensation

The starting salary for the position is $44,453; 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 and the SMPH Academic Staff Benefits Flyer.

Required Qualifications

• Familiarity with computers, MS Office applications.
• Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to work independently as well as on a team.
• Normal color vision and stereoscopic acuity.

Preferred Qualifications

• Familiarity with various ophthalmic image review software platforms.
• 2 years of clinical experience in ophthalmology/optometry.

Education

Bachelors Degree Preferred.

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.

Contact Information

Beth Reuter, [e-mail], 608-263-3680.

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).

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