Research Specialist in Cancer Biology

University of Wisconsin-Madison; Kentucky; On-site; USD 50,000 - 61,000; Full time

Job summary

The Research Specialist position at the UW Carbone Cancer Center, Lang Lab, will work with the Principal Investigator in Cancer Biology to study the tumor microenvironment and its role in invasion and treatment resistance in prostate cancer.

You will help develop organ-on-a-chip assays and pre-clinical models, collaborate across projects, manage lab activities, and contribute to scholarly work for publication.

Qualifications

• Experience in molecular biology methods, sequencing, and immunology.
• Familiarity with Prism and R for data analysis.
• Bachelor's degree required; Master's preferred.

Responsibilities

• Conduct experiments according to established protocols and collect data.
• Develop and interpret research methodology and materials.
• Maintain and organize lab equipment and inventory; place replenishment orders.
• Provide operational guidance to staff and student workers on a day-to-day basis.
• Review, analyze, and interpret data and prepare presentations/reports.
• Perform literature reviews and write reports.

Skills

Molecular biology

Next generation sequencing

Immunology

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in biological sciences

Master’s Degree preferred

Tools

Prism

R

Job description

Job Summary

The Research Specialist position will work with the Principal Investigator in Cancer Biology in the UW Laboratory of Joshua Lang, MD, MS, at the UW Carbone Cancer Center. A major focus in the Lang lab includes studying the role of the tumor microenvironment in the development of invasion and treatment resistance in prostate cancer.

This research will focus on development of organ-on-a-chip assays as well as pre-clinical models of targeted therapy resistance in prostate cancer. The position requires the ability to work in a collaborative environment with other investigators on joint projects in this field. Involvement in these activities is expected to lead to scholarly work that will be published in scientific journals.

Additional Position Details

• This position requires work to be completed onsite, at a designated campus work location.


• Work Schedule: Typical hours are Monday through Friday 8:30a.m. - 5:00p.m OR 9:00a.m.- 5:30pm.; schedule may shift slightly due to time of when biospecimens are received. Some weekend hours may be needed intermittently to perform time-sensitive lab tasks when managing clinical biospecimen.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Conducts research experiments according to established research protocols with moderate impact to the project(s). Collects data and monitors test results


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


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


• 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

Department

School of Medicine and Public Health, Carbone Cancer Center, Lang Lab

Our mission is a commitment to defeating cancer through rapid application of groundbreaking research, prevention, and treatment. The University of Wisconsin (UW) Carbone Cancer Center has been an NCI-Recruitments: Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center since 1973. UW Carbone is an integral part of the UW School of Medicine and Public Health and UW Health, bringing together more than 330 physicians and scientists from 50 departments and nine schools to conduct research and translate laboratory discoveries into new patient treatments. UWCCC builds community by creating a collaborative, respectful, and welcoming environment in which all faculty, students, and staff will thrive.

Compensation

The starting salary for the position is $55,000 annually; but is negotiable based on experience and qualifications.

Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and sick leave; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. For more information, refer to the campus benefits webpage and the SMPH FAASLI Benefits Flyer 2026.

Required Qualifications

• Previous experience in molecular biology methods, next generation sequencing, and immunology is required


• Familiarity with data analytic software such as Prism and R is required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with fluorescence microscopy is desired but not required.


• Experience with cell culture, flow cytometry and microfluidic technologies is desired but not required.

Education

• Bachelor’s Degree required; Master’s Degree preferred


• Focus in Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Biochemistry, Immunology, Biomedical Engineering or other closely related biological science preferred

Eligibility and Sponsorship

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.

The department will not be able to support a request for a J-1 waiver. If you choose to pursue a waiver and apply for our position, neither the UW nor UWMF will reimburse you for your legal or waiver fees.

Contact Information

Aisha Liebenow, [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).

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