Research Specialist

University of Wisconsin Madison•Middleton, WI

3d•Hybrid

About The Position

This multi-functional Research Specialist position is housed within the Department of Plant Pathology at the UW-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS). It provides support to the UW-Madison Wisconsin Seed Potato Certification Program (WSPCP), which aims to supply healthy seed potato planting stock to farmers. The role focuses on supporting the program's tissue culture and diagnostic laboratories, with opportunities to engage in other program aspects like certification, early generation seed production, research advancement, and outreach. This is a terminal, 12-month appointment. The position is based in Middleton, WI, but requires travel to a diagnostic laboratory in Madison, WI, and occasionally to certification and greenhouse production sites in Antigo, WI, and Rhinelander, WI. Work is performed in-person in Middleton, WI and surrounding areas, remotely, and involves occasional travel outside Wisconsin. Occasional night and weekend work is required. A valid US Driver’s License and meeting UW Risk Management standards are necessary.

Requirements

Laboratory diagnostic experience: Familiarity with performing molecular assays, specifically ELISA, Conventional, Immunocapture and real-time PCR, RNA and/or DNA extraction.
General Laboratory skills and knowledge: examples include following Standard Operating Procedures, measuring and making various medias, utilizing a pH meter, knowledge of how to pipette, understanding/utilization of sterile technique, etc.
General laboratory technique skills and knowledge required.
Drivers License Required - Valid and Meets UW Risk Management Standards.

Nice To Haves

Experience in Micropropagation on potato or similar crops.
Experience with research experimental design and implementation.
Experience in website design, survey development, working on cloud-based databases, and/or performing data analysis.

Responsibilities

Documents and maintains Standard Operation Procedures (SOP).
Ensures compliance with established policies and procedures.
Operates, cleans, and maintains organization of research equipment and research area.
Tracks inventory levels and places replenishment orders.
Participates in novel pathogen testing of seed potato samples.
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.
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.