Scientist I

UW School of Medicine and Public Health; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 58,000 - 70,000; Full time

Job summary

The Bel lab in the UW School of Medicine and Public Health seeks a full-time scientist to serve as lab manager and active, independent researcher. The role focuses on inflammatory bowel disease factors, gut immune regulation, and microbiota interactions.

Responsibilities include data analysis, experiments, and collaboration with students and fellows. Requirements include a Ph.D. in biology, mouse model experience, and demonstrated funding success; salary starts at $64,000 with negotiable terms.

Qualifications

• 4 years postdoctoral training or equivalent experience in biology required.
• Experience with mouse models of inflammation or infection.
• Experience with fluorescence microscopy, microbial culturing, flow cytometry, ELISA, PCR, mammalian cell culture, immunohistochemistry.
• Proven success securing funding through fellowships or grants.
• Proven dissemination of scientific data via first-author publications and conferences.

Responsibilities

• Collects and analyzes research data, conducts experiments, and documents results.
• Assists in identifying research problems and developing methodologies.
• Contributes to lab safety protocol development and implementation.
• Orders reagents and research equipment.
• Mentors graduate students and postdocs in planning experiments.
• Writes or assists with grant proposals to secure funding.

Skills

Mouse models

Fluorescent microscopy

Flow cytometry

PCR

Mammalian cell culture

Grant writing

Education

Ph.D. in biology

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 Bel lab at the department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, at the School of Medicine and Public Health, is searching for a full-time scientist to serve as lab manager and be an active, independent and contributing member of the research team. The Bel lab studies the role of environmental and genetic factors in development of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD). Specifically, the Bel lab focuses on the role of the microbiota and mutation in autophagy genes in regulation of immune responses in the gut.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Collects and analyzes research data, conducts experiments and interviews, and documents results according to established policies and procedures under general supervision and limited responsibility
• Assists with the identification of research problems and the development of research methodologies and procedures
• Assists in development and implementation of lab safety protocols
• Orders and purchases reagents and research equipment
• Assists graduate students and postdoctoral fellows with planning and execution of experiments
• Conducts literature reviews, prepares reports and materials, and disseminates information to appropriate entities
• Attends and assists with the facilitation of scholarly events and presentations in support of continued professional development and the dissemination of research information
• 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
• Maintains the lab’s mouse colony, including breeding, tagging and genotyping
• Writes or assists in developing grant applications and proposals to secure research funding

Department: School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, the Bel Lab

The Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology is dedicated to impactful research, and medical and graduate student teaching, and service to the public and scientific fields in the areas of immunology and infectious diseases. We emphasize a healthy work-life balance and provide a supportive work environment committed to the growth and advancement of our members.

Compensation: The starting salary for the position is $64,000 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.

• SMPH Faculty /Academic Staff Benefits Flyer 2026

Required Qualifications:

• 4 years postdoctoral training or equivalent experience in biology is required by the start date of the position.
• Experience in mouse models of inflammation and/or infection.
• Experience in fluorescent microscopy, microbial culturing, flow cytometry, ELISA, PCR, mammalian cell culture, immunohistochemistry.
• Proven success in acquiring funding, such as fellowships and research grants.
• Proven success in dissemination of scientific data, such as first-author publications in respected journals and presentation at conferences.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience in methods used for the study of autophagy in vitro and in vivo.
• Experience in mentoring undergraduate and/or graduate students.

Education: Ph.D. in biology, or related field or closely related discipline, is required

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: Lily Schafer, [e-mail], 608-263-5443

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.