The Morgridge Institute for Research offers a foundational entry point for early-career, science-focused UW-Madison undergraduate students to join Dr. Skala’s Laboratory in Biomedical Imaging. This position is designed for highly motivated engineering, physical sciences, or biological science students looking to move beyond the classroom and develop the practical, hands-on scientific research skills required for a career in biomedical engineering research. 

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:

• Cell culture: Develop foundational skills in sterile technique while culturing cells.
• Microscopy: Learn how to operate microscopes to perform fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy (FLIM) and epifluorescence microscopy.
• Quantitative Image Analysis: Learn how to process images and complete single-cell quantitative image analysis in a reproducible manner. 
• Coding: Develop skills in understanding, writing, and using code to facilitate data processing.
• Experimental collaboration: Work alongside senior researchers on complex biological and imaging experiments (fluorescence lifetime imaging microscopy, epifluorescence 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 and cleanliness, scientific rigor, and supply management.

Professional Growth & Pathways

• Mentorship: Work directly with a mentor within a supportive and collaborative team in the Skala Lab. 
• Long-term potential: The ideal applicant would be a rising sophomore or junior to enable the possibility of a 2–3-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, 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 within the Skala Lab.

Schedule & Qualifications

• Requirements: No prior lab experience is required, but you must be detail-oriented, responsible and organized, a strong communicator, able to work both independently and with a research team, and have demonstrated quantitative skills (e.g., strong performance in engineering, mathematics, and science courses).
• Eligibility: Freshman, Sophomore, or Junior UW-Madison student working towards a science-focused degree.
• Commitment: We are seeking students who plan to dedicate an average of 8-15 hours in the lab per week for 2 or more years during their undergraduate academic school years. 
• Flexibility: During the school year, 2-3 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 financial aid-based 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 Skala Lab, undergraduate students are expected to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.5.