Research Specialist

This multi-functional research specialist position housed within the Department of Plant Pathology UW-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) provides support to the UW-Madison Wisconsin Seed Potato Certification Program (WSPCP).  The WSPCP, established in 1913, inspects and certifies Wisconsin seed potatoes with the goal of providing potato farmers with healthy seed potato planting stock.  This position is focused on providing support to the program’s tissue culture and diagnostic laboratories but provides opportunities to learn and support the other facets of the program such as certification, early generation seed production, research advancement, and outreach activities.

This is an agriculturally based laboratory position and may require extra hours during certain times of the year, including peak seed production seasons and increased diagnostic periods. Required to travel within and outside Wisconsin as requested for the position. Required to work occasional night and weekends.  Required to drive for extended periods of time

• Documents and maintains Standard Operation Procedures. (SOP).  Ensures compliance with established policies and procedures.

• Participates in novel pathogen testing of seed potato samples.

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

• Must hold a valid US driver’s license and meet UW Risk Management standards.

• Performs literature reviews and writes reports 

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

• Reviews, analyzes, and interprets data and/or documents results for presentations and/or reporting to internal and external audiences

• Provides operational guidance on day-to-day activities of unit or program staff and/or student workers

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

Department of Plant Pathology, Wisconsin Seed Potato Certification Program

$50,000 - $65,000

• 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.

• Must hold a valid US driver’s license and meet UW Risk Management standards.

• 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.

Preferred Bachelor's Degree or higher in a field related to the responsibilities of this position such as plant pathology, bacteriology, agronomy/plant science, horticulture, plant breeding.  

Click on the "Apply Online" button to start the application process. You will be prompted to upload the following documents/application materials:

Resume (required) - Detail your educational and professional background

Cover letter (required) – Refer to your related work experience

It is 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.

Please contact Amy Ducy at [email protected] with any questions.

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.