Director Of Research Operations Jobs in Madison, WI
Director Of Research Operations jobs in Madison are concentrated in the University District, the Near East Side research corridor, and Downtown, with strong demand from University of Wisconsin–Madison, Medical College of Wisconsin, and Fortrea across academic research, biotech, and healthcare. Madison's deep ties to the University of Wisconsin system and its growing life sciences sector keep demand steady for experienced operations leaders. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Job category:
Academic StaffEmployment type:
RegularJob profile:
Research Services ManagerJob summary:
The Lane Neuroimaging Lab is looking for a Research Services Manager. The Lane Lab is part of the Health Emotions Research Institute at the University of Wisconsin Department of Psychiatry, located in Research Park. The Research Services Manager supervises a team of two MRI technologists to complete research scanning using a 3.0T GE MRI that support the HERI research program.
More information about the Lane Neuroimaging Lab can be found on the website: https://www.psychiatry.wisc.edu/research/lane/
Additional Information:
This position is full or part-time, 75% - 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.
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.
Key job responsibilities:
- Develops and facilitates research specific presentations to internal and external audiences
- Serves as a subject matter expert and unit liaison. Provides updates on project components and timelines to stakeholders as needed
- Develops operating policies and procedures to comply with regulations, institutional policies, and unit objectives
- Assists with the development and auditing of project-specific budgets
- Assists with the design, monitoring, and execution of project-specific experiments. Identifies and resolves technical issues
- May direct the day-to-day activities of staff and resolve routine personnel issues
Department:
School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Psychiatry, Lane Neuroimaging Lab
The Department of Psychiatry at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is committed to basic and clinical research that furthers the understanding and development of new treatments for patients with mental illness, training the next generation of leaders, and providing excellent patient care to a broad range of patients.
Compensation:
The starting salary for the position is $65,449 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.
Required qualifications:
Minimum of 5 years of direct work experience in an MRI environment.
Preferred qualifications:
Experience working in a Research Imaging facility.
Education:
Bachelor’s Degree preferred
How to apply:
For the best experience completing your application, we recommend using Chrome or Firefox as your web browser.
To apply for this position, select either “I am a current employee” or “I am not a current employee” under Apply Now. You will then be prompted to upload your application materials.
Important: The application has only one attachment field. Upload the following documents in that field, either as a single combined file or as multiple files in the same upload area.
Cover letter required
Resume required
Your cover letter should address how your training and experience aligns 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 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.
The department will not be able to support a request for a J-1 waiver. If you choose to pursue a waiver and apply for our position, neither the UW nor UWMF will reimburse you for your legal or waiver fees.
Contact information:
KaBao Chang, kchang52@wisc.edu, 608-263-6062.
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.
Institutional statement on diversity:
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.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.
To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.
Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department.
See All 39 Director Of Research Operations Jobs in Madison
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Find JobsDirector Of Research Operations Job Market in Madison
Who's Hiring
- University of Wisconsin–Madison13

- Medical College of Wisconsin4

- Fortrea3

- Labcorp3

- FujiFilm2

Top Industries Hiring
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals9
- Science & Research5
- Electronics & Hardware3
- Consulting & Professional Services3
- Education2
Director Of Research Operations Jobs in Madison: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a director of research operations job in Madison?
Madison's strongest hiring comes from academic medical centers, university-affiliated research institutes, and biotech and life sciences firms clustered near the UW campus and the University Research Park. Candidates who stand out locally have hands-on experience managing sponsored research portfolios, federal grant compliance, or clinical trial operations. Building relationships with UW's research administration community and targeting roles at the health system or major research institutes gives you the clearest path in.
Which companies hire director of research operationss in Madison?
Companies currently hiring director of research operationss in Madison include University of Wisconsin–Madison, Medical College of Wisconsin, and Fortrea, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Madison's employer base skews toward large academic institutions, hospital systems, and mission-driven biotech and public health organizations, so most openings sit within complex, grant-funded research environments.
Are there remote director of research operations jobs in Madison?
Yes, though with limits, since many director of research operations roles require on-site coordination with labs, compliance teams, and institutional leadership. About 52% of director of research operations openings tied to Madison are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, with remote flexibility most common in the administrative, budgeting, and policy oversight portions of the role rather than day-to-day lab or staff management.
How can I get a director of research operations job in Madison with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Madison is through research administrator or research coordinator roles at UW-affiliated departments or the UW Health system, where you can build direct experience in sponsored projects and compliance. From there, moving into a senior research administrator or operations manager position at a local biotech firm or public health organization is a natural step toward a director-level role. Certifications in research administration can strengthen your candidacy with Madison's institutional employers.
Which industries hire the most director of research operationss in Madison?
Madison director of research operations roles concentrate in Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals, Science & Research, and Electronics & Hardware, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. This mix reflects Madison's identity as a major research university city, where the UW system, its affiliated health network, and a growing cluster of life sciences and public health organizations collectively drive the bulk of local hiring.
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