Scientist I

The Waisman Center is dedicated to the advancement of knowledge about human development, developmental disabilities, and neurodegenerative diseases throughout the lifespan. One of 15 centers of its kind in the United States, the Waisman Center encompasses laboratories for biomedical and behavioral research, several scientific research cores, and a clinical biomanufacturing facility for the production of pharmaceuticals for early stage human clinical trials. In addition to its research efforts, the Center provides an array of services to people with developmental disabilities, offers numerous educational and outreach programs to young children and their families, and trains scientists and clinicians who will serve our nation in the future.

The Gamm Laboratory studies inherited and acquired eye diseases that culminate in the degeneration of photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), a significant cause of visual morbidity. One of the main goals of the lab is to develop and test stem cell-derived cell replacement therapies for currently untreatable blinding retinal disorders.

The Scientist I is responsible for identifying research problems, designing research methodologies, and performing research related to pluripotent cell-based therapy. This position will lead research projects and organize work within a group, including the oversight of technicians and students within the laboratory. Additionally, this position will prepare study reports, manuscripts and oral presentations of the research for industry collaborators, professional organizations and scholarly publications.

• Manages grants and communicate with financial administrators and collaborators to maintain laboratory budgets

• Writes or assists in developing grant applications and proposals to secure research funding

• Conducts literature reviews, prepares reports and materials, and disseminates information to appropriate entities

• Serves as a main point of contact and liaison with internal and external stakeholders providing information and representing the interests of a specialized research area

• Assists with the identification of research problems and the development of research methodologies and procedures

• Attends and assists with the facilitation of scholarly events and presentations in support of continued professional development and the dissemination of research information

• Collects and analyzes research data, conducts experiments and interviews, and documents results according to established policies and procedures under general supervision and limited responsibility

Department:

Waisman Center

Compensation:

$80,000 minimum; Salary is negotiable and will be based on education, experience and skills. Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and paid time off; competitive insurances and savings accounts and retirement benefits.

Required Qualifications:

• A minimum of 4-6 years of directly relevant research experience.

• Experience writing study reports for industry collaborators.

• Previous laboratory management experience.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous research experience in human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC)-derived RPE and photoreceptor cell replacement therapies, including experience performing pre-clinical evaluations in animal models of retinal disease highly preferred.

• Expertise in subretinal surgery, in vivo imaging (OCT imaging), visual function testing (optokinetic response and automated pupillometry, histological analyses (paraffin and cryosectioning histology and staining methods), and quantitative analyses of cell transplants highly preferred.

• Knowledge of retinal anatomy and circuitry, human stem cell biology, and ocular biology highly preferred.

• Knowledge of grant management highly preferred.

Education:

A PhD in Biology, Biochemistry, Vision Science or a related field is required.

Additional Information:

• The successful applicant will be responsible for ensuring eligibility for employment in the United States on or before the effective date of the appointment. University sponsorship is not available for this position.

• A Criminal Background Check will be performed.

• The successful applicant will be required to complete HIPAA training and receive certification upon hire and annually thereafter.

How to Apply:

Please click the appropriate option in the Apply Now box to start the application process. As part of your application, please upload:

• A current resume or CV highlighting your experience, training, and/or credentials relevant to the position.

• A cover letter describing your interest in the position, summarizing your relevant experience, and explaining how your background aligns with the requirements of the role.

Professional references will be requested of all final candidates.

Contact Information:

For questions regarding this position or posting, please contact Jessica Soper, HR Generalist, at jdsoper@wisc.edu or (608)262-9613.

Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

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.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited 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. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. 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 (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your 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. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.