Scientist

University of Wisconsin; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 46,000 - 56,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Wisconsin–Madison is seeking a Scientist I to join the Denu Lab at UW Carbone Cancer Center. The role involves epigenetic and transcriptional studies of sarcoma using patient-derived cell lines, xenograft and mouse models, and state-of-the-art techniques such as CUTRUN, ATAC-seq and spatial transcriptomics.

PhD required; work onsite at the campus with a flexible schedule. The position emphasizes collaboration, data analysis, and contributions to scholarly publications in cancer

Qualifications

• Experience with cell culture.
• Experience with molecular biology techniques (e.g. western blotting, DNA and RNA extraction, gene expression analysis, molecular cloning).
• Experience using Microsoft Office 365 (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Responsibilities

• Assists with the identification of research problems and the development of research methodologies and procedures
• Attends and assists with the facilitation of scholarly events and presentations in support of continued professional development and the dissemination of research information
• Collects and analyzes research data, conducts experiments and interviews, and documents results according to established policies and procedures under general supervision and limited responsibility
• Writes or assists in developing grant applications and proposals to secure research funding
• Conducts literature reviews, prepares reports and materials, and disseminates information to appropriate entities
• 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

Skills

Cell culture

Molecular biology

MS Office 365

Education

PhD in biology or related field

Tools

CUTRUN

ChIP-seq

ATAC-seq

NGS

Single-cell sequencing

Spatial transcriptomics

Mouse handling

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: The Scientist I position will work in the UW laboratory of the Principal Investigator Ryan Denu, M.D., Ph. D. at the UW Carbone Cancer Center and the Department of Medicine, Division of Hematology, Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplant. The Ryan Denu Research Group focuses on understanding epigenetic and transcriptional regulation of sarcoma. We utilize patient-derived cell line and xenograft models and mouse models to study sarcoma. We employ epigenetic techniques (e.g. CUTRUN, ATAC-seq), single cell analysis, spatial transcriptomics and epigenomics, and basic cell and molecular biology techniques. Our goal is to translate our findings into clinical trials to improve the treatment of patients with sarcoma. 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. This position requires work to be completed onsite, at a designated campus work location. The work schedule is flexible and will be determined at the time of hire.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Assists with the identification of research problems and the development of research methodologies and procedures
• Attends and assists with the facilitation of scholarly events and presentations in support of continued professional development and the dissemination of research information
• Collects and analyzes research data, conducts experiments and interviews, and documents results according to established policies and procedures under general supervision and limited responsibility
• Writes or assists in developing grant applications and proposals to secure research funding
• Conducts literature reviews, prepares reports and materials, and disseminates information to appropriate entities
• 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

Department: School of Medicine and Public Health, UW Carbone Cancer Center, Denu 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-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center since 1973. UWCCC builds community by creating a collaborative, respectful, and welcoming environment in which all faculty, students, and staff will thrive. UWCCC 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 $51,284 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

• Experience with cell culture.
• Experience with molecular biology techniques (e.g. western blotting, DNA and RNA extraction, gene expression analysis, molecular cloning).
• Experience using Microsoft Office 365 (e.g. Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience in epigenetic methods (e.g. CUTRUN, ChIP-seq, ATAC-seq).
• Previous experience in next generation sequencing, single cell, and/or spatial experiments and analyses.
• Previous experience in mouse handling/modeling.

Education

PhD required; focus in biology preferred

Contact Information

Aisha Liebenow, [e-mail] Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

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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.