Research Specialist

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.

• 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

• Engage with community groups to support research outreach, recruitment, and strengthen community partnerships

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.

• 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. For more information, refer to the campus benefits webpage. SMPH Faculty /Academic Staff Benefits Flyer 2026

• 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

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* Cover letter
* Resume/CV

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 endJune 13, 2028and 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.

Kim McFarlane, kmmcfarlane@wisc.edu

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