"Research Specialist"

Job Details

Salary:
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: Research Specialist

Job Summary:

The Wisconsin Crop Innovation Center (WCIC) at the University of Wisconsin – Madison is a ~100,000 square foot state-of-the-art agricultural biotechnology complex, housing laboratories and greenhouses dedicated to the production and analysis of transgenic and gene edited plants. This facility is the largest publicly held plant transformation facility in the United States and is aimed at improving crop plants for humans, livestock, and the environment.

WCIC is part of the UW system but is conveniently located in Middleton with free parking and easy access to the Pheasant Branch trail system and many Dane county parks.

The WCIC has an exciting opportunity for the growth of our Greenhouse team! This position will be responsible for growing and advancing plants from tissue culture and from seed. Together with the other members of this team, you will help turn researchers’ ideas into real plants and seeds. The WCIC works on many species of plants! This is a wonderful opportunity to apply learned greenhouse experience work and be a vital part of a plant transformation pipeline.

The selected individual will be responsible for supporting the operational activities of a greenhouse and seed facility; conduct research; review, analyze and interpret data; resolve problems in the moment; maintain plant production; assist with detailed records and inventories; and general systems maintenance to ensure operational efficiencies.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• 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
• 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

Department:

The Wisconsin Crop Innovation Center (WCIC)

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:

• Minimum of 1 year of plant care, greenhouse and /or field experience

Preferred Qualifications:

Preferred experience with:

• General research
• Seed storage
• Knowledge of greenhouse control system
• Conventional crops and/or transgenic plant stewardship practices

License:

Pesticide applicators license preferred or willingness to obtain. More information can be found here: https://datcp.wi.gov/Pages/Licenses_Permits/CommercialApplicator.aspx

Education:

Bachelor's Degree in biology, ecology, horticulture or closely related 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 . 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.

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.

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.

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their 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 need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of the appointment. University sponsorship is not available for this position.

Additional Information:

• Criminal Background Check may be required.
• 1 year Evaluation Period may be required
• Physical environment: Working with temperature extremes; extended periods of standing/walking; ability to occasionally lift up to 50 pounds

Work Schedule:

Normal hours are 7:45am – 4:30pm, Monday through Friday. Occasional nights and weekends may be required for this position.