Epidemiologist (Scientist I or II)

The Merten Research Lab, under the direction of Dr. Natascha Merten, Assistant Professor in the Department of Population Health Sciences and in the Department of Medicine (Geriatrics & Gerontology), and the Wisconsin Alzheimer's Disease Research Center, is looking to hire a scientist to join the growing program consisting of NIH-funded research studies of aging. Dr. Merten's research focuses on human brain aging. The research program aims to assess general aging processes that affect multiple domains of brain aging, focusing on sensory and cognitive aging and dementia. Her studies consider risk factors of Alzheimer's pathology and inflammation, and vascular and metabolic systems to identify common pathways and biomarkers of neurodegeneration and brain aging. In addition, the lab aims to assess potentially modifiable risk factors of brain aging with a particular focus on the roles of psychosocial and behavioral factors. The team has just started the Beaver Dam Offspring Study-Neurocognitive Aging Study (BOSS-NCAS), an 18-year follow-up study in the longitudinal Beaver Dam Offspring Study cohort. With this project, the Merten Lab aims to study the shared etiology of sensory and cognitive aging.

The successful candidate will work collaboratively with a team on all aspects of planning and management of a large cohort study including recruitment and retention, field operations, data management, quality assurance, and storage and shipping of the program's large biorepository of blood samples. This is an exciting opportunity to be a part of a new phase of an established longitudinal cohort study.

The scientist will collaborate with the principal investigator, co-investigators, epidemiologists and other research program staff in the development, implementation, and documentation of research protocols and data collection instruments. The scientist will take on primary responsibility for study data collection protocols such as those for sensory (including hearing, vision) and cognitive function assessments. He/she/they will be responsible for the quality of the data, which may include training and supervising field staff conducting the exam. The scientist will monitor field operations and adherence to protocols and assist with data collection and participant correspondence. The scientist will work with the data manager and computing staff to develop systems to monitor the quality of the data.

The scientist will be based in Madison, WI. The scientist will assist the Principal Investigator and study staff in manuscript preparation by suggesting research questions, performing literature searches, contributing to data analyses, editing, and proofreading papers. The scientist will have the opportunity to first and co-author papers.

An ideal candidate will have a strong attention to detail and organizational skills, excellent
communication skills, and experience following standard operating procedures. Strong computer and analytic skills and experience with SAS and R are desirable. Previous experience with sensory or cognitive assessments is beneficial.

Employees in this academic staff position will receive University of Wisconsin benefits, such as generous vacation, holidays, and sick leave, competitive insurances, savings accounts, and retirement benefits.

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.

For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion

Required
PhD

Preferred in Epidemiology or related field

- 2 years of experience in epidemiological research
- Research experience in human sensory and/or cognitive aging
- Experience in research data collection
- Experience training staff in research protocols
- Excellent skills in using SAS and R
- Experience working with laboratory or clinical (such as audiometers, ocular imaging)
instrumentation

Qualified applicants will have the following skills & abilities:
- Strong attention to detail
- Analytic thinking skills
- Strong organizational skills
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Ability to work both independently and collaboratively
- Ability to understand critical aspects of research study operations including recruitment and retention, field study management, and quality assurance
- Work experience that demonstrates dependability, flexibility, and maturity
- Comfortable working with human blood samples and willing to learn phlebotomy
- Comfortable having face-to-face interactions with human research subject participants

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.

Ongoing/Renewable

Minimum $66,000 ANNUAL (12 months)
Depending on Qualifications
The starting salary for the position is $66,000 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. Benefits information can be found at (https://hr.wisc.edu/benefits/). SMPH Academic Staff Benefits flyer: (https://uwmadison.box.com/s/r50myohfvfd15bqltljn0g4laubuz7t0)

Applicants for this position will be considered for the titles listed in this posting. The title is determined by the experience and qualifications of the finalist.

University sponsorship is not available for this position, including transfers of sponsorship. 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. UW-Madison is not an E-Verify employer, and therefore, is not eligible to employ F1 STEM OPT Extension participants. If you are selected for this position you must provide proof of work authorization and eligibility to work.

This vacancy is being announced simultaneously with PVL 309442; please note that only one vacancy exists. Having two job postings allows the School of Medicine and Public Health to consider candidates with a variety of experience and education levels for this position

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.

To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply Now" button. You will be asked to upload a current resume/CV and a cover letter briefly describing your qualifications and experience.

Brittany Brown
brittany.brown@wisc.edu
608-265-2978
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

Scientist I(RE043) or Scientist II(RE044)

A53-MEDICAL SCHOOL/POP HEALTH SCI/POP HLTH

Academic Staff-Renewable

309443-AS