Geographic Information System (GIS) Specialist

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: GIS Specialist Job Summary: The Center for Health Disparities Research (CHDR), led by Director Dr. Amy Kind and Deputy Directors Drs. Nicole Rogus-Pulia and Andrea Gilmore-Bykovskyi, invites applications from highly motivated individuals to join our dynamic, growing, and multidisciplinary team. As a Geographic information system (GIS) specialist with CHDR, you will have the opportunity to contribute to research projects with far-reaching influence, including the largest study of its kind on social determinants of health in the context of Alzheimer's Disease. Broadly, our work is focused on mechanisms of health disparities - the ways fundamental factors such as race, ethnicity, and identity interact with a complex array of geopolitical, socioeconomic, health care, cultural, social, psychological, physiological, genetic, and cellular factors to produce different population health outcomes. We are seeking a highly motivated individual to join our team and provide technical and analytical expertise for spatial analyses and research. The individual will conduct geospatial data analysis, manage and produce datasets, and create maps and other data visualizations in support of various projects currently being conducted at the Center for Health Disparities Research. The specialist will join a dynamic team that works on multi-unit projects, both internal and external to UW-Madison. These projects range from the production of a robust geospatial research dataset in an Azure cloud platform for distribution among a 24-site consortium, the creation of data visualizations for publications, and working with data analysts and IT professionals in moving forward research in health disparities. Under the guidance of CHDR's Director of Geospatial Operations, the successful GIS specialist will assist the CHDR scientific team with the expansion of geographically-based metrics and tools for research and the development and validation of geographically-linked metrics of socioeconomic factors related to healthcare disparities and outcomes. The Neighborhood Atlas® demonstrates the impact of geographic information science on furthering research on and interventions in the social determinants of health. This position may require some work to be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location. Some work may be performed remotely, at an offsite, non-campus work location. Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities: Excellent organizational skills, strong attention to detail, and the flexibility to work both independently and collaboratively. Excellent interpersonal skills with strong oral and written communication skills. Key Job Responsibilities: Collaborates with other IT staff to deliver project deliverables and visuals Gathers, verifies, and coordinates data used for spatial analysis, data sciences, field operations, mapping, and data visualizations across programs and other agencies Creates maps and performs a wide range of geospatial analyses in support of a variety of projects May support geospatial field data collection efforts Adheres to established cartographic standards and quality assurance/quality control processes May train and consult with GIS users as needed Manages a wide variety of project-specific and reference geospatial data in accordance with defined data management standards Department: School of Medicine and Public Health, Center for Health Disparities Research, GIS Core The Center for Health Disparities Research (CHDR) is a dynamic multidisciplinary Center housed within the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH). Broadly, CHDR focuses on mechanisms of health disparities - with a particular focus on the social exposome and its relationship to health. CHDR is the home to the team that refined and curates the Area Deprivation Index and its data democratization portal, the Neighborhood Atlas®. CHDR is also home to the Neighborhoods Study, an NIH funded national initiative to examine the adverse social exposome's impact on neuropathology and brain health biomarkers. CHDR investigators represent all areas of the translational research spectrum, from basic science to community participatory research. CHDR also has strong relationships with local, state and federal government, non-profit organizations, and industry entities. Compensation: The starting salary for the position is $90,097 annually; but is negotiable based 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. SMPH Faculty /Academic Staff Benefits Flyer 2026 Required Qualifications: Minimum of one year of experience with geographic information science, cartography, geography, or a related field Preferred Qualifications: Experience with data collection, data management, REDCap, or similar research databases. Experience in harmonizing varied data sources and manipulating geospatial time series data. Experience with large scale geocoding processes including custom geocoding solutions. Education: Bachelor's Degree Preferred How to Apply: For the best experience completing your application, we recommend using Chrome or Firefox as your web browser. To apply for this position, select either "I am a current employee" or "I am not a current employee" under Apply Now. You will then be prompted to upload your application materials. Important: The application has only one attachment field. Upload all required documents in that field, either as a single combined file or as multiple files in the same upload area. Upload required documents: Cover letter Resume/CV Your cover letter should address how your training and experience align 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 an ongoing position that will require continuous work eligibility. If you are selected for this position you must provide proof of work authorization and eligibility to work. Contact Information: Kim McFarlane, View email address on click.appcast.io 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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