"Scientist I – C. difficile and Gut Microbiome"

Job Summary

The Hryckowian Lab (Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology) seeks a Scientist I to drive high-impact, hands-on research on a newly funded NIH R01 focused on how the microbiome-derived metabolite butyrate shapes Clostridioides difficile fitness and pathogenesis. This role will take intellectual and operational ownership of a major experimental arc that integrates anaerobic bacterial culture, mechanistic molecular and systems-level approaches, and murine CDI models to define how butyrate alters sporulation, toxin release, and in vivo fitness. The Scientist I will be expected to execute with urgency and rigor, communicate clearly, and help set and maintain the bar for science in the lab through strong project management, documentation, and mentorship. In addition to advancing the butyrate-C. difficile program, the position will include additional responsibilities as needed to support lab priorities and momentum. In addition to work with C. difficile, the lab has diverse projects investigating various aspects of bacterial pathogenesis and commensalism. All of these projects are unified under the common goal of developing non-antibiotic strategies to combat bacterial pathogens. The position is full-time and onsite in the Microbial Sciences Building.

• This position requires work to be completed onsite, at a designated campus work location.
• Terminal, 24 month appointment
• This position has the possibility to be extended or converted to an ongoing appointment based on need and/or funding.

Candidates who demonstrate the following knowledge, skills, and abilities will be given first consideration:

• Demonstrated ability to design rigorous experiments, troubleshoot independently, and deliver results on realistic timelines with meticulous record-keeping and organization.
• Excellent communication skills (written and oral), including comfort presenting data and contributing to manuscripts and/or grant materials.
• Ability to collect, analyze, and document research data according to established policies and procedures, and to support dissemination of results (reports, presentations, publications).
• Collaborative, team-forward mindset and commitment to being a positive presence in a lab environment (including mentoring junior lab members and leading by example).
• Willingness to take on additional responsibilities as needed to support lab priorities and maintain momentum (e.g., project coordination, training, serving as a liaison with internal/external stakeholders).
• Strong scientific writing and presentation skills.
• Evidence of maturity as a teammate and culture carrier, including mentoring trainees and functioning as a reliable point of contact with collaborators, cores, and internal stakeholders.
• Comfort flexing across priorities, including additional responsibilities as needed, with high standards for rigor, documentation, timelines, and accountability.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Writes or assists in developing grant applications and proposals to secure research funding
• Conducts literature reviews, prepares reports and materials, and disseminates information to appropriate entities
• 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
• 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
• Attends and assists with the facilitation of scholarly events and presentations in support of continued professional development and the dissemination of research information

Department

School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Hryckowian Lab

With a distinguished team of over 40 exceptional faculty members and 10 advanced practice providers, the University of Wisconsin Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is renowned for delivering high-value patient care, driving innovative research, and shaping the future leaders of gastroenterology and hepatology. At the forefront of our division's success is a comprehensive range of clinical programs that are considered among the best in the field. Recognized by U.S. News & World Report, the UW Health Gastroenterology and GI surgery program consistently ranks within the top 50 nationwide, a testament to our commitment to excellence. Additionally, our UW Health liver transplant program is nationally acclaimed as a Center of Excellence, acknowledged by most insurance networks for its exceptional standards.

Compensation

The expected salary range for this position is $60,000 up to $80,000 for highly experienced candidates and actual pay within this range will depend 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 and the SMPH Faculty /Academic Staff Benefits Flyer 2026.

Required Qualifications

• Demonstrated record of scientific productivity and strong scientific writing, with clear evidence of intellectual ownership of a project (e.g., first-author publication[s] and other deliverables).

Preferred Qualifications

• Deep experience with bacterial genetics and mechanistic microbiology, ideally in anaerobes and/or C. difficile (or closely related Gram-positive pathogens).
• Prior experience with animal models of infection/colonization, including careful study planning and execution; gnotobiotic experience is a plus.
• Facility with multi-omics and/or quantitative approaches relevant to the project (for example metabolomics, proteomics, transcriptomics, microbiome profiling), and comfort leveraging these data to generate experiments that lead to mechanistic insights.
• Experience contributing to grants, manuscripts, and dissemination of results.

Education

Ph.D. in microbiology, molecular biology, immunology, biomedical sciences, or related field is required.

How to Apply

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To apply for this position, select either “I am a current employee” or “I am not a current employee” under . You will then be prompted to upload your application materials.

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• Cover letter required
• Resume

Your cover letter should address how your training and experience aligns with the required and preferred qualifications listed above. Application reviewers will rely on these written materials to determine which applicants move forward in the process. References will be requested from final candidates. All applicants will be notified once the search concludes and a candidate is selected.

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 currently scheduled to end two years from date of hire and will require eligibility to work until that time. If you are selected for this position you must provide proof of work authorization and eligibility to work.