Research Specialist

Job Summary This multi-functional research specialist position housed within the Department of Plant Pathology at UW-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) provides support to the University of Wisconsin-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 supporting the program’s tissue culture and diagnostic laboratories but also offers opportunities to learn and support other facets of the program such as certification, early generation seed production, research advancement, and outreach activities. The role is agriculturally based and may require extra hours during peak seed production seasons, increased diagnostic periods, occasional nights, weekends, travel within and outside Wisconsin, and extended driving periods. Key Job Responsibilities Document and maintain Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and ensure compliance with established policies and procedures. Participate in novel pathogen testing of seed potato samples. Contribute to the development, interpretation, and implementation of research methodology and materials. Perform literature reviews and write reports. Operate, clean, and maintain organization of research equipment and work areas. Track inventory levels and place replenishment orders. Review, analyze, and interpret data and/or document results for presentations and reporting to internal and external audiences. Provide operational guidance on day-to-day activities of unit or program staff and/or student workers. Conduct research experiments according to established research protocols with moderate impact to the project(s) and collect data and monitor test results. Required Qualifications Laboratory diagnostic experience with performing molecular assays, including ELISA, Conventional, Immunocapture, real‑time PCR, RNA and/or DNA extraction. General laboratory skills: following Standard Operating Procedures, preparing media, using a pH meter, pipetting, sterile technique. Must hold a valid U.S. driver’s license and meet UW Risk Management standards. Preferred Qualifications 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. Education 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, or plant breeding. How to Apply Click the “Apply Online” button to begin the application process. You will be prompted to upload the following documents: Resume (required) – detail your educational and professional background. Cover letter (required) – refer to your related work experience and reflect the qualifications listed above. The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process. Contact Information Please contact Amy Ducy at View email address on click.appcast.io with any questions. 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 opinions enrich the university community. The University of Wisconsin‑Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard 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. 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, please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Employment may require a criminal background check and 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr UWMSN University of Wisconsin Madison