Research Specialist

Job Summary

The Research Specialist supports grains breeding and research projects across field, greenhouse, and laboratory environments. This position helps design and implement research methods; manages daily logistics for oats, wheat, and barley projects; and maintains equipment, inventories, shared digital resources, and organized research spaces. The role collects and manages data, ensures research protocols are followed, and coordinates activities with external partners to keep projects running efficiently. A key responsibility of this position is leading and supporting people: the Research Specialist trains, schedules, and supervises undergraduate and hourly employees, works closely with graduate students on project planning and execution, and provides reliable continuity for seasonal and long-term research efforts.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Performs literature reviews and writes reports
• 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
• Provides operational guidance on day-to-day activities of unit or program staff and/or student workers
• Manages and organizes all germplasm and small-grain lines across the breeding program, ensuring accurate tracking and strong program organization

Required Qualifications

• Experience conducting field research, including implementing protocols and managing experiments
• Demonstrated ability to collect and manage research data
• Experience safely operating research equipment used by breeding programs including plot combine, plot planter, and thrashers

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in data analysis and report preparation
• Experience leading field crews and supervising employees; i.e. student workers
• Demonstrated experience managing plant breeding research trials

Department

The Department is located in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, Plant and Agroecosystem Sciences, Dawson Lab.

Compensation

The minimum starting salary for this position is $50,000 per year. Actual salary will depend on experience and qualifications. Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and paid time off; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. Additional benefits information can be found at: https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/fasl.pdf

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please click on the "I am a current employee" button or "I am not a current employee" button under Apply Now. You will be prompted to upload the following documents. Cover Letter Resume

Contact Information

Madeilene Hoffman | HR Generalist
madeilene.hoffman@wisc.edu