O'Connor Lab Research Specialist

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Job Category: Academic Staff

Employment Type: Regular

Job Profile: Research Specialist

Job Summary: We are seeking a Research Specialist to join our environmental surveillance team, which conducts comprehensive air and wastewater monitoring to understand pathogen presence and transmission in congregate settings. Working under the supervision of the principal investigators and senior lab scientists, you will lead field operations of our environmental monitoring program in Wisconsin. This role combines fieldwork at community sites with laboratory analysis and data preparation for scientific publication.

Your field operations responsibilities will include organizing and maintaining air sampling equipment, conducting routine sample collection at schools, hospitals, and other partner sites, and coordinating with facility staff to maintain professional relationships at sampling locations. This community-facing aspect of the role requires regular travel to various sites and direct interaction with partners across different institutional settings.

In the laboratory, you will process air samples for nucleic acid extraction and prepare samples for pathogen testing under the supervision of senior scientists. You will also perform routine laboratory maintenance and quality control procedures to ensure data integrity and equipment functionality. These technical responsibilities require attention to detail and adherence to established protocols for sample handling and processing.

Your research support duties will involve assisting in data analysis and preparation for publication, contributing to ongoing research projects as needed, and maintaining detailed records and documentation. This aspect of the role provides exposure to the full research pipeline from sample collection through scientific publication.

The person in this role will need to be able to (a) connect with air sampling sites in the community, (b) support the processing of air samples in the lab, and (c) be exceptionally well-organized to ensure the workflow is seamless.

• This position requires work to be completed onsite, at a designated campus work location.
• Must provide a valid driver's license. Employees may use their own transportation or receive approval for University Car Fleet usage. Employment is conditional pending the results of a Pre-hire Driver Authorization Check.
• Serves as a subject matter expert and unit liaison. Provides updates on project components and timelines to stakeholders as needed.
• Develops and facilitates research specific presentations to internal and external audiences.
• May direct the day-to-day activities of staff and resolve routine personnel issues.
• Assists with the design, monitoring, and execution of project-specific experiments. Identifies and resolves technical issues.
• Assists with the development and auditing of project-specific budgets.
• Develops operating policies and procedures to comply with regulations, institutional policies, and unit objectives.

School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, O’Connor Lab. The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine is dedicated to the highest quality patient care, cutting-edge and impactful research, and teaching the next generation of pathologists and scientists. We emphasize a healthy work-life balance and provide a supportive work environment committed to the growth and advancement of our members.

Our vibrant clinical department integrates anatomic pathology, laboratory medicine, teaching, and a robust research enterprise, and serves the UW, American Family Children’s, VA, and other Madison hospitals. Our basic science and translational research programs have made fundamental discoveries in cell and stem cell biology, immunology, neuroscience, and infectious disease. Opportunities in education include a T32-funded PhD graduate program, pathology resident and fellowship programs, and both medical school and undergraduate curricula.

Madison, often rated as one of the best places to live in America, is built on an isthmus, surrounded by lakes. The city, campus, green spaces and urban areas are blended to create a place unlike any other.

The starting salary for the position is $63,697 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 campus benefits and SMPH Faculty /Academic Staff Benefits Flyer 2026.

• Experience with research databases.
• Experience in designing and conducting experiments.
• Experience in data collection and analysis.
• Experience working with community partners.

• This…