Research Specialist

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Job Category:

Employment Type:

Job Profile:

Job Summary:

The Research Specialist will support the Dawson Research Program by leading the OREI Seeds research project and coordinating the daily operations of additional program projects. This role involves hands on work at research stations and in greenhouse environments to ensure the successful execution of field, greenhouse, and laboratory activities. All work is performed onsite.

This position may be filled at 50–100% FTE and may require occasional evening or weekend work. It is a two-year terminal appointment with the possibility of conversion to a renewable position based on program needs and/or available funding.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
• Strong attention to detail
• Effective recordkeeping skills
• Good communication and training ability
• Ability to follow protocols precisely under moderate supervision
• Ability to troubleshoot and maintain laboratory equipment

Additional Information:
• A criminal background check may be required
• An evaluation/probationary period may be required
• Occasional travel to conferences for reporting is required
• Applicants must become an approved driver through UW–Madison’s driver authorization process, which requires meeting the criteria outlined at: https://businessservices.wisc.edu/managing-risk/driver-authorization-and-insurance/driver-authorization/
• Physical requirements include the ability to lift 40 pounds repeatedly during harvest, the ability to work outdoors in inclement weather, and the ability to stand for extended periods.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• 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

• Maintains and organizes training, lab records and protocols, group websites, and online storage of information.

• Trains and supervises TE/student hourlies in the field and lab.

• 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:

College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences, Dawson Research Program

Compensation:

The minimum salary for this position is $48,000. However, final salary will depend 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:

• Field experience and prior involvement in a plant breeding program
• Experience supervising and training hourly student employees
• Experience managing research trials, including planning, implementation, and data collection

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with organic tomato production and high tunnel growing systems
• Experience conducting post harvest quality testing  

Education:

Bachelor's degree in genetics, plant science or related science field preferred

How to Apply:

To apply for this position, please click on the "I am a current employee" button or "I am not a current employee" button under Apply Now. You will be prompted to upload the following documents.
          • Cover Letter
          • Resume

Please note, there is only one attachment field. You must upload all your documents into the one attachment field.

It’s important that your cover letter and resume reflect your experience for this position related to the Qualifications section. Your application materials will be used during our evaluation to determine your qualifications as they relate to the job.  The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.

University sponsorship is available for this position.

References: Finalists will be asked to provide contact information (phone and email) for three references, one of which must be a current or former supervisor. References will not be contacted without prior notice.

Contact Information:

Madeilene Hoffman, HR Generalist

[email protected] or call 608-265-2951 

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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