The Morgridge Institute for Research offers a foundational entry point for early-career science-focused UW-Madison undergraduate students to join Dr. Jonathan Stefely’s lab . This position is designed for highly motivated biochemistry or biology students looking to move beyond the classroom and develop the practical, hands-on scientific research skills required for a career in biomedical research. This posting is for a “wet lab” science student position. Please note that there is a separate “dry lab” computational biology student posting.

Core Scientific Training & Responsibilities 

As a junior member of the research team, you will receive direct technical training (hands-on learning) with fundamental basic science methods and techniques. The goal is to gradually develop independent expertise and productivity in the following scientific areas:

• Molecular biology: Become an expert in molecular cloning using PCR, DNA gel electrophoresis, HiFi assembly, and sequencing.
• Synthetic protein construct design: Learn basic principles of designing genetically encoded synthetic protein constructs.
• Protein science: Develop expertise in protein gels (SDS-PAGE) and immunoblotting.
• Media and buffer preparation: Become an expert in precise preparation of media and chemical solutions.
• Cell culture: Develop foundational skills in sterile technique while culturing prokaryotic or eukaryotic cells.
• Transformation and transfection: Learn how to transform or transfect genetic constructs into cells.
• Experimental collaboration: Work alongside senior researchers on complex biological and biochemical experiments (confocal microscopy, drug treatments of cells, etc).
• Experimental design & troubleshooting: Develop the ability to plan experiments, identify proper controls, interpret unexpected outcomes, and troubleshoot.
• Instrumentation: Learn how to safely operate, rigorously calibrate, and regularly maintain scientific instruments.
• Documentation: Learn how to maintain an organized, detailed, and up-to-date laboratory notebook and related electronic records.
• Laboratory standards: Master "gold standards" of a professional lab, including lab safety, scientific rigor, and supply management.

Professional Growth & Pathways

• Mentorship: Work within a supportive and collaborative team at the Morgridge Institute, a private nonprofit dedicated to scientific research toward human health in partnership with UW-Madison.
• Long-term potential: The ideal applicant would be a current freshman undergraduate (rising sophomore) to enable the possibility of a ~3-year research experience with a gradually increasing degree of scientific depth and independence. 
• Independent research: Students who demonstrate a strong grasp of lab protocols, scientific rigor, a sustained commitment to being a contributing member of the laboratory, and high initiative will have the opportunity to transition to increasingly      independent research for academic credit and/or summer scientific internship within the Stefely Lab at the Morgridge Institute.

 Schedule & Qualifications

• Requirements: No prior lab experience is required, but you must be detail-oriented, a strong communicator, and have demonstrated quantitative skills (e.g., good performance in mathematics).
• Eligibility: Freshman UW-Madison student working toward a science-focused degree.
• Commitment: We are seeking students who plan to dedicate an average of 12-15 hours in the lab per week for =2 years during the academic school years. The ideal applicant would also be excited about increasing the depth of a longitudinal research experience through summer internship(s) within the lab.
• Flexibility: During the school year, 3–4 shifts spread throughout the week during normal business hours (~8 AM – 6 PM).
• Structure of the position: We can support for-credit research and/or work-study for students. 
• Academic performance: We believe that excellence in primary academic coursework provides an essential foundation for scientific research. As a member of the Stefely Lab, undergraduate students are expected to maintain a GPA of =3.5.