Research Specialist

Job Category:

Academic Staff

Terminal (Fixed Term)

Research Specialist

The Research Specialist position supports clinical research studies within the Raison Lab.

Primary responsibilities include study coordination activities such as participant recruitment, scheduling, data entry, regulatory documentation support, and study visit coordination. The Research Specialist may be cross‑trained across additional functions to provide flexible operational support such as training in EEG setup and acquisition, data processing and analysis. Also biospecimen collection and processing, including participant blood and saliva collection, labeling, processing (e.g., centrifugation, aliquoting), storage, and shipment in accordance with study protocols and regulatory requirements.

This position works closely with investigators, clinicians, and research staff to support study implementation, ensure high‑quality data collection, and maintain protocol compliance. Study activities may include evenings, weekends, and occasional overnight sessions. The ideal candidate will have strong organizational skills with the ability to follow detailed protocols and manage multiple tasks, strong interpersonal and communication skills, particularly in participant‑facing roles.

• Terminal, 12‑month appointment
• Full or part‑time, 80%–100%
• Work completed onsite, at a designated campus work location
• Possibility to be extended or converted to an ongoing appointment based on need and/or funding
• Position of trust with access to vulnerable populations. Requires caregiver check under Wisconsin Caregiver Law every four years

• 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
• 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
• Operates, cleans, and maintains organization of research equipment and research area. Tracks inventory levels and places replenishment orders

School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Psychiatry, Clinical Operations

The starting full‑time salary for the position is $55,000 annually, negotiable based on experience and qualifications. Employees can expect generous vacation, holidays, and sick leave; competitive insurance and savings accounts; retirement benefits.

• Familiarity with human subjects research and regulatory requirements (e.g., IRB protocols, informed consent procedures, or GCP guidelines)
• Ability to troubleshoot software and hardware issues related to data collection and research equipment

• Experience acquiring high‑density EEG data
• Experience with data analysis using MATLAB or similar platforms
• Willingness to be trained in Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) or other neurology‑based procedures
• Experience with phlebotomy and/or biological sample collection
• Experience with sample processing (e.g., centrifugation, aliquoting, labeling, storage)

• Associate's Degree is required
• Bachelor’s Degree is preferred

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.

The University of Wisconsin‑Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background.

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.

Employment may require a criminal background check and references may be requested for misconduct 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.