Researcher II

Job Summary:

The UW animal program involves all aspects of animal use for research, teaching, and outreach. Biomedical Research Model Services (BRMS), the School of Medicine and Public Health's animal care department, is seeking a Researcher II to join their gnotobiotic research team and will report to the department's Director of Research Services. The overall responsibility of this position will be leading and overseeing a germ-free mouse facility and facilitating germ-free mouse experiments using gnotobiotic isolators and biocontainment cages. You will be working closely with multiple faculty laboratories across campus focusing on human microbiome research. Independently conduct a portion of the research project(s) with an emphasis on experiments that require use of germ-free mice and make recommendations on experimental design and/or research direction to the multiple faculty principal investigators, students, and postdocs engaged in the microbiome research program. Independently conduct complex (lab and/or field) experiments to gather data for a portion of a major research project with an emphasis on gnotobiotic mouse experiments, including fecal sample collection and analysis. Oversee the daily activities of the laboratory including lab maintenance; maintain lab stock, manage chemical inventory and safety records, and provide general lab support as needed. May assist with purchasing laboratory equipment.
Ideal candidates are self-starters, comfortable with autonomy, and embrace opportunities to tackle new problems and challenges as part of a dynamic team in a start-up-like environment within the University. Supervises (either formally or informally) staff or students as needed, including oversight and direction on techniques, as well as consultation on project work, and serve as a technical resource for other research staff. Excellent communication skills and the ability to work both collaboratively and independently are essential. Organization and attention to detail are imperative skills for success in this position.
BRMS is based in the School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. BRMS provides animal husbandry, breeding, research services and operational support to the UW-Madison animal use researchers.

Responsibilities:
Provides research expertise to fundamental and applied scientific research and solves problems in research development and applications to support the advancement of research.

• 35% Collects and analyzes increasingly complex research data, conducts experiments and interviews, and documents results according to established policies and procedures
• 10% Conducts literature reviews, prepares reports and materials, co-authors publications, and disseminates information to appropriate entities
• 20% Trains individuals and groups on equipment operations, research protocols, and techniques within a specialized laboratory or research area
• 20% Develops and implements increasingly complex research methodologies, procedures, and criteria
• 5% Reviews and edits protocols to ensure accuracy, thoroughness, and consistency
• 10% Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining and/or approving hours worked of full-time equivalent (FTE) employees.

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.
For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion

Education:

Required
Master's Degree
Preferred focus in biomedical or animal related field.

Qualifications:

Required Qualifications:
- At least 2 years of experience in working with gnotobiotic mice.
- Ability to bend, squat, kneel, stand, reach above shoulder level, and move on hard surfaces for up to eight hours.
- Ability to lift objects up to 50 lbs.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience using gnotobiotic isolators, including monitoring mouse conditions and sterilization of materials for introduction into germ-free isolators.
- Experience with mouse colony maintenance.
- Experience with basic mouse handling and breeding techniques, including oral gavage, fecal collection and blood draw.
- Experience with basic microbial culture methods.
- Demonstrated experience with accurate record keeping and compliance.
- Demonstrated budget and record management experience.
- Previous supervisory experience.
Desired Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
- Excellent organizational skills.
- Professional verbal and written skills.
- Ability to multi-task, stay organized, and pay attention to detail.
- Ability to work collaboratively and independently.
- Ability to establish and maintain effective professional relationships with fellow BRMS staff, Veterinary staff as well as Principle Investigators and their lab members.

Work Type:

Full Time: 100%
It is anticipated this position requires work be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location.

Appointment Type, Duration:

Ongoing/Renewable

Salary:

Minimum $65,000 ANNUAL (12 months)
Depending on Qualifications
The starting salary for the position is $65,000 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. Benefits information can be found at (https://hr.wisc.edu/benefits/ ) and (https://uwmadison.box.com/s/r50myohfvfd15bqltljn0g4laubuz7t0 ).

Additional Information:

University sponsorship is not available for this position, including transfers of sponsorship. 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. UW-Madison is not an E-Verify employer, and therefore, is not eligible to employ F1-OPT STEM Extension participants. If you are selected for this position you must provide proof of work authorization and eligibility to work.

How to Apply:

To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply Now" button. You will be asked to upload a current resume/CV and a cover letter briefly describing your qualifications and experience. You will also be asked to provide contact information for three (3) references, including your current/most recent supervisor during the application process. References will not be contacted without prior notice.

Contact:

Kelly Rose
[email protected]
608-265-8069
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

Official Title:

Researcher II(RE041)

Department(s):

A53-MEDICAL SCHOOL/SMPH RES SUPP/LAR

Employment Class:

Academic Staff-Renewable

Job Number:

298951-AS

 
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, 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 through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.
If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request at the following website: https://employeedisabilities.wisc.edu/disability-accommodation-information-for-applicants/
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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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