Scientist

Salary:

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**Job Category:**Academic Staff

**Employment Type:**Terminal (Fixed Term)

**Job Profile:**Scientist I

Job Summary:

The Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases in the Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine and Public Health, seeks an experienced Scientist to help establish a new neonatal nonhuman primate model for maternal vaccine evaluation. This externally funded project integrates neonatal clinical assessment, immunological evaluation, and maternal vaccination in a single translationally relevant platform, conducted in close collaboration with the Wisconsin National Primate Research Center (WNPRC). The successful candidate will take a lead, hands-on role in study coordination, microbiology, and collaborative data analysis, and will mentor graduate and undergraduate trainees. This position is ideal for a researcher with documented expertise in neonatal nonhuman primate disease models, maternal-fetal immunobiology, and infectious disease pathogenesis who wants to contribute to research addressing a leading cause of global infant mortality.

Terminal, 24 month appointment.

This position has the possibility to be extended or converted to an ongoing appointment based on need and/or funding.

This position requires work to be completed onsite, at a designated campus work location.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• 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:

School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Pediatrics, Mohr Lab

The Department of Pediatrics at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health is a vibrant academic department comprising more than 230 faculty members in 16 subspecialty divisions. The department promotes and enhances the health of children through outstanding clinical care, exemplary education of pediatric trainees, performance of cutting-edge research, and vigorous advocacy. Our faculty and research staff enjoy a robust infrastructure of services as well as the opportunity to contribute to our world-class research portfolio – since 2015 the department has ranked among the Top 20 pediatrics departments receiving NIH funding, according to Blue Ridge Institute for Medical Research. To provide remarkable health care for everyone in our community, we are committed to fostering a diverse, equitable, and inclusive environment in all aspects of our work. To learn more about the department's work and accomplishments, please visit: https://www.pediatrics.wisc.edu/ .

Compensation:

The starting salary/hourly wage for the position is $65,000 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 the campus benefits webpage and the SMPH Faculty /Academic Staff Benefits Flyer 2026

Required Qualifications:

• Minimum 3 years of hands-on experience with non-human primate experimental models, including study design, animal handling, and endpoint assessment
• Published first-author, peer-reviewed research on neonatal or maternal-fetal infectious disease outcomes in animal models
• Direct experience with sample collection from pregnant and neonatal animals, necropsy coordination, and tissue processing
• Proficiency with serology methods (antibody detection via ELISA) and interpretation of serological data as evidence of colonization and immune response

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience with congenital or perinatal infections
• Experience working under IACUC and IBC oversight
• Statistical analysis and data visualization in R

Education:

• PhD in microbiology, immunology, pathology, veterinary science, or a related discipline

How to Apply:

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To apply for this position, select either “I am a current employee” or “I am not a current employee” under . You will then be prompted to upload your application materials.

Important: The application has only one attachment field. Upload the following documents in that field, either as a single combined file or as multiple files in the same upload area.

• Cover letter
• Resume

Your cover letter should address how your training and experience aligns with the required and preferred qualifications listed above. Application reviewers will rely on these written materials to determine which applicants move forward in the process. References will be requested from final candidates. All applicants will be notified once the search concludes and a candidate is selected.

University sponsorship is not available for this position, including transfers of sponsorship and TN visas. 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. If you are selected for this position, you must provide proof of work authorization and eligibility to work.

The department will not be able to support a request for a J-1 waiver. If you choose to pursue a waiver and apply for our position, neither the UW nor UWMF will reimburse you for your legal or waiver fees.

Contact Information:

Alex Scaffidi, aascaffidi@wisc.edu , 608-262-7480

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

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.

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).

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