O'Connor Lab Scientist

We are seeking a PhD-level Scientist to join the O'Connor Lab's environmental surveillance team and lead a new study conducted in collaboration with the laboratory of Dr. Jonathan Temte, founder of the Oregon Child Absenteeism due to Respiratory Disease Study (ORCHARDS) program at UW-Madison. ORCHARDS investigates the causes of child absenteeism from school, and the addition of household air sampling provides a new window onto respiratory viral transmission within the home. During the 2026-2027 school year, paired clinical swab and air samples will be collected from participants with respiratory viral infections across up to 200 households and delivered to our laboratory for intake, processing, sequencing, and analysis.

The successful candidate will serve as the scientific and project management lead for the study. Responsibilities include coordinating and executing sample processing for both clinical swabs and air samples, running downstream molecular biology assays, and analyzing data to identify the respiratory pathogens present in each participating household. A central technical responsibility is the design, optimization, and validation, from scratch, of digital PCR (dPCR) assays to quantify pathogen nucleic acids in air and clinical samples across each household's 8-day study window. The scientist will also work closely with external collaborators (including the ORCHARDS team and our internal bioinformatics group) to refine and implement improved techniques for low-input air-sample sequencing and downstream analysis. Scientific work is performed under the guidance of the principal investigators and in partnership with senior lab scientists and the broader environmental surveillance team.

In addition to bench and method-development work, the scientist will manage the day-to-day operations of the study, tracking thousands of samples through multi-step workflows, maintaining timelines and deliverables for our donor-funded program, and supervising a Research Specialist to be hired subsequently. The scientist will also contribute to data analysis, manuscript preparation, and other lab projects as needed, and will maintain rigorous records and documentation. Regular work with human clinical swab samples is expected.

A PhD in a molecular biology discipline (cellular/molecular biology, virology, genetics, or a closely related field) is required, along with documented experience developing and independently running medium-to-high-throughput molecular assays. Strong candidates will bring demonstrated project management experience, a track record of method development from scratch, and a history of productive collaboration with internal and external partners to advance laboratory techniques.

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

• Applicants for this position will be considered for the following titles: Scientist I, II, & III. The title is determined by the experience and qualifications of the finalist.

• 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").

• Develops, optimizes, and validates novel molecular biology assays from scratch including digital PCR (dPCR) assays for quantifying pathogen nucleic acids in low-input environmental and clinical samples and establishes standard operating procedures for adoption by the lab

• Manages day-to-day operations of the HouseholdPath study, including coordinating sample logistics across partner sites, tracking 3,000-5,000 samples through multi-step molecular workflows, maintaining study timelines and deliverables for a private donor, and supervising a Research Specialist

• Designs and maintains quality control, data tracking, and reporting systems for the environmental surveillance program, ensuring end-to-end sample integrity and timely data return to participating sites and funders

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

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

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

• 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

• Partners with external collaborators (including the ORCHARDS team and the lab's bioinformatics group) to co-develop and implement improved techniques for air-sample sequencing, nucleic acid recovery, and downstream analysis

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

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

School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, O'Connor Lab

TheDepartment of Pathology and Laboratory Medicineis dedicated to the highest quality patient care, cutting-edge and impactful research, and teaching the next generation of pathologists and scientists. We emphasize a healthy work-life balance and provide a supportive work environment committed to the growth and advancement of our members. Our vibrant clinical department integrates anatomic pathology, laboratory medicine, teaching, and a robust research enterprise, and serves the UW, American Family Children's, VA, and other Madison hospitals. Our basic science and translational research programs have made fundamental discoveries in cell and stem cell biology, immunology, neuroscience, and infectious disease. Opportunities in education include a T32-funded PhD graduate program, pathology resident and fellowship programs, and both medical school and undergraduate curricula.

Madison, often rated as one of the best places to live in America, is built on an isthmus, surrounded by lakes. The city, campus, green spaces and urban areas are blended to create a place unlike any other.

The starting salary for the position is $71,898 annually as a Scientist I, $90,419 as a Scientist II, and $109,094 as a Scientist III; 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. SMPH Faculty /Academic Staff Benefits Flyer 2026

• Documented hands-on experience performing molecular biology experiments at the bench, including nucleic acid extraction, library preparation, and PCR-based workflows

• 1-3 years of experience developing molecular biology assays (dPCR, qPCR) from scratch, including assay design, optimization, validation, and troubleshooting

• Experience with high-throughput molecular biology workflows and high-volume weekly sample processing

• Demonstrated project management experience, including coordinating multi-step laboratory workflows, tracking large sample sets, and meeting deliverables on defined timelines

• Demonstrated experience collaborating with internal and external partners to develop and implement improved laboratory techniques

• Experience working with and analyzing large datasets

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong organizational skills

• Willingness and ability to work with human clinical swab samples that may contain respiratory pathogens

• Experience managing or mentoring undergraduate researchers or technician-level staff

• Experience with next-generation sequencing of low-input or environmentally derived samples (e.g., air, wastewater, surface swabs)

• Prior experience in respiratory virology, viral genomics, or a public-health or environmental surveillance laboratory setting

• Familiarity with sequencing bioinformatics pipelines, including experience interpreting and reporting sequencing data

• Demonstrated experience collaborating with external partners or multi-institutional teams to develop and implement improved laboratory methods

• Track record of peer-reviewed publications, preprints, or conference presentations

• Experience drafting progress reports or deliverables for funders (private donors, foundations, or granting agencies)

• Experience establishing or maintaining laboratory SOPs, quality control systems, or sample tracking systems (e.g., LIMS)

Ph.D. in cellular/molecular biology, virology, genetics, or related field or closely related discipline, is required

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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.

Tia Seguin, tia.seguin@wisc.edu, 608-263-3731

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