Scientist I or II

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:
Scientist I

Job Summary:

WSLH seeks a Scientist with expertise in molecular genomics and sequencing technologies to support and expand innovative research and public health surveillance programs focused on monitoring pathogens in wastewater. The person in this position will play a key role in developing and implementing next‑generation sequencing workflows, including library preparation, targeted enrichment strategies, and sequencing‑based pathogen detection. The scientist will contribute to the development of hybrid capture and other targeted sequencing approaches to enhance pathogen detection in complex environmental matrices.

This role will also involve training and mentoring laboratory staff in molecular and sequencing protocols, contributing to the development of standardized procedures, and helping maintain high‑quality laboratory workflows through strong organizational practices and documentation.

Across the projects, the scientist will collaborate with other university researchers, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, and the CDC. The scientist will pursue federal competitive grant proposals as a principal investigator in collaboration with other researchers at UW‑Madison and develop a scholarly publication record based on the research activities in this position.

The employee in this position is expected to use the tools and principles of quality management in performing their daily work, including demonstrating customer service, providing constructive feedback, using data collection tools, contributing to efficient operation, presenting ideas, and participating in continuous learning through professional development activities.

Identifies research problems, designs research methodologies, performs research, and helps to prepare the results for presentation to professional organizations or for scholarly publications to help advance research.

• 20% Assist with the identification of research problems and the development of research methodologies and procedures
• 25% Collect and analyze research data, conduct experiments and interviews, and document results according to established policies and procedures under general supervision and limited responsibility
• 10% Conduct literature reviews, prepare reports and materials, and disseminate information to appropriate entities
• 5% Attend and assist with the facilitation of scholarly events and presentations in support of continued professional development and dissemination of research information
• 10% Write or assist in developing grant applications and proposals to secure research funding
• 10% Serve as a main point of contact and liaison with internal and external stakeholders, providing information and representing the interests of a specialized research area

• 20% Develop and implement next‑generation sequencing workflows for wastewater surveillance

• $65,000/year minimum for a Scientist I (Depending on qualifications)
• $75,000/year minimum for a Scientist II (Depending on qualifications)

A minimum of three years of experience in a professional or academic setting is required. The successful candidate will have extensive experience with molecular biology techniques supporting next‑generation sequencing workflows, including nucleic acid extraction, library preparation, targeted enrichment, and sequencing quality control. Experience implementing, developing, or optimizing NGS library preparation protocols is required. Experience with laboratory automation and liquid handling platforms is preferred.

The successful candidate will have a record of peer‑reviewed publications and demonstrated experience training, mentoring, or supervising junior staff, students, or laboratory personnel in molecular laboratory protocols.

• Advanced molecular…