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Job category:
Academic Staff
Employment type:
Terminal (Fixed Term)
Job profile:
Research Specialist
Job summary:
The Center for Health Disparities Research (CHDR), led by Director Dr. Amy Kind and Deputy Directors Drs. Nicole Rogus-Pulia and Andrea Gilmore-Bykovskyi, invites applications from highly motivated individuals to join our dynamic, growing, and multidisciplinary team. As a research specialist with CHDR, you will have the opportunity to contribute to research projects with far-reaching influence, including the largest study of its kind on social determinants of health in the context of Alzheimer's Disease. Broadly, our work is focused on mechanisms of health disparities - the ways fundamental factors such as race, ethnicity, and identity interact with a complex array of geopolitical, socioeconomic, health care, cultural, social, psychological, physiological, genetic, and cellular factors to produce different population health outcomes.
The Research Specialist position will specifically be part of the research program of Nicole Rogus-Pulia, PhD, CCC-SLP, a leader in dementia and dysphagia care research and Associate Professor in the Department of Medicine at the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health. Dr. Rogus-Pulia's research laboratory, the Swallowing & Salivary Bioscience Lab (SSBL), is a translational research program focused on dysphagia, or swallowing dysfunction, in vulnerable older adult populations. Their goal is to systematically identify and characterize factors underlying dysphagia in patients and then to translate these findings into novel, evidence-based treatments for maintenance of quality of life and prevention of pneumonia onset.
This position will support two National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded projects led by Dr. Rogus-Pulia: 1) the Care Research Core (Core H) within the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center; and 2) the Swallowing Trajectories and Dysphagia Predictors in Alzheimer’s Disease (SPHERE) study. Core H provides novel expertise and resources to conduct innovative studies that will enhance patient care and change clinical practice, and SHPERE aims to learn more about the swallowing changes and risk factors associated with dysphagia in Alzheimer’s Disease.
The individual will support the research and work by managing data, recruiting and scheduling participants, analyzing data, and contributing to community outreach and education to connect research with the broader community. The incumbent will work independently and as part of a group on both projects simultaneously, prioritizing projects based on deadlines and interdisciplinary collaboration. Attention to detail, time management and excellent organization will be critical to the success of this position, as well as strong oral and written communication skills.
This position is full or part-time, 80%-100%
This position may require some work to be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location. Some work may be performed remotely, at an offsite, non-campus work location.
Terminal, 24-month appointment
This position has the possibility to be converted to an ongoing appointment based on need and/or funding.
This position has been identified as a position of trust with access to vulnerable populations. The selected candidate will be required to pass an initial caregiver check to be eligible for employment under the Wisconsin Caregiver Law and every four years.
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. See https://businessservices.wisc.edu/managing-risk/driver-authorization-and-insurance/driver-authorization/#become-authorized-driver (click on “Become an authorized driver;” then click on “Required criteria”).
Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities:
The applicant should have excellent writing and communications skills.
Strong attention to detail.
The flexibility to work both independently and collaboratively.
The applicant should have demonstrated experience and expertise in research design, research methods, statistical analyses, and presentation of results.
Key job responsibilities:
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Performs literature reviews and writes reports
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Reviews, analyzes, and interprets data and/or documents results for presentations and/or reporting to internal and external audiences
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Conducts research experiments according to established research protocols with moderate impact to the project(s). Collects data and monitors test results
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Participates in the development, interpretation, and implementation of research methodology and materials
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Operates, cleans, and maintains organization of research equipment and research area. Tracks inventory levels and places replenishment orders
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Provides operational guidance on day-to-day activities of unit or program staff and/or student workers
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Engage with community groups to support research outreach, recruitment, and strengthen community partnerships
Department:
School of Medicine and Public Health, Center for Health Disparities Research, Scientific Core, Swallowing & Salivary Bioscience Lab
The Center for Health Disparities Research (CHDR) is a dynamic multidisciplinary Center housed within the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH). Broadly, CHDR focuses on mechanisms of health disparities – with a particular focus on the social exposome and its relationship to health. CHDR is the home to the team that refined and curates the Area Deprivation Index and its data democratization portal, the Neighborhood Atlas®. CHDR is also home to the Neighborhoods Study, an NIH funded national initiative to examine the adverse social exposome’s impact on neuropathology and brain health biomarkers. CHDR investigators represent all areas of the translational research spectrum, from basic science to community participatory research. CHDR also has strong relationships with local, state and federal government, non-profit organizations, and industry entities.
Compensation:
The starting salary for the position is $55,000 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.
Required qualifications:
Minimum one year of experience in epidemiology, health services, or related research field. This must include experience working within clinical and/or health services research protocols, including research quality assurance and Institutional Review Board applications.
Experience communicating with a variety of audiences, collaborators, partners, and academic fields.
Experience with research study recruitment and registry maintenance.
Experience helping research participants connect with meaningful supports and resources.
Demonstrated experience with populations with dementia.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience with patient and healthcare provider focus groups.
Demonstrated interest in dementia care and brain health research.
Experience with literature reviews.
Education:
Bachelor's Degree Preferred
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 Apply Now. You will then be prompted to upload your application materials.
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Your cover letter should address how your training and experience align 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 currently scheduled to end June 13, 2028 and will require eligibility to work until that time. If you are selected for this position you must provide proof of work authorization and eligibility to work.
Contact information:
Kim McFarlane, [email protected]
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.
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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