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Job Category:

Academic Staff

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Communications Specialist

Job Summary:

The Consortium for Clarity in ADRD Research Through Imaging (CLARiTI) study offers a unique opportunity for a Communications Specialist to support a major nationwide research consortium and related research initiatives to advance biomarker research in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD).

This position serves as the dedicated Communications Specialist for the CLARiTI study and related research initiatives within the research portfolio of Sterling Johnson, PhD. CLARiTI is a large, NIH-funded national research consortium led by the University of Wisconsin–Madison that works in partnership with 36 Alzheimer’s Disease Research Centers (ADRCs) across the country.

The Communications Specialist will develop and implement communications strategies to support the coordination and success of this complex, multi-site research program. The individual will work closely with study leadership, participating research sites, operational cores, research staff, institutional partners, and external collaborators.

Responsibilities will include developing and managing study communications; writing, editing, and reviewing scientific and programmatic content; producing newsletters and website content; coordinating communications with participating sites and partners; developing presentations and other materials for scientific and professional audiences; and supporting webinars, scientific meetings, conferences, and other study events. The position will also help identify opportunities to communicate study progress, scientific accomplishments, resources, and impact to the CLARiTI consortium and broader research community, including donors.

This position will become deeply integrated into CLARiTI study operations and will provide dedicated communications expertise and continuity across the consortium. The Communications Specialist will play an important role in maintaining engagement across a large national network and ensuring that CLARiTI's activities, resources, and scientific contributions are communicated effectively.

The ideal candidate for this role will be a highly organized, collaborative communications professional with excellent writing, editing, and interpersonal skills and strong attention to detail. This position requires the ability to work both independently and collaboratively, exercise sound judgment and initiative, manage multiple projects and deadlines, and build effective working relationships with investigators, research teams, participating study sites, institutional partners, external collaborators, and donors.

The position will support a diverse portfolio of research funded by the NIH, industry partners, foundations, and other organizations. It is well suited for someone who enjoys developing a comprehensive understanding of complex research programs and using communications to strengthen collaboration, engagement, and awareness of scientific activities and accomplishments.

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.

Key Job Responsibilities:

Provides project management and execution of communications programs, initiatives, and tactical plans
Plans editorial content according to established goals and objects
Communicates with stakeholders to verify requests and identify editorial resources
Leads philanthropic initiatives to solicit donor funding for multi etiology causes of dementia
Writes, edits, and publishes content for various communication projects and marketing platforms to align with strategic initiatives and established communication campaigns
Monitors reach and effectiveness of communication campaigns, projects, and initiatives

Department:

School of Medicine and Public Health, Department of Medicine, Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology, Multi-Etiology Causes of Impairment Research Program

Fueled by innovation yet grounded in kindness, the Department of Medicine empowers leaders to transform medicine and improve lives everywhere. We are committed to professional fulfillment and health equity. We strive to ensure that everyone in our department understands the importance of social impact and belonging—and is empowered to champion it in all they do. Join us and be a part of supporting our nationally recognized faculty, innovative medical education programs and exceptional clinical care as we work towards our vision of healthy people and healthy communities!

At the Division of Geriatrics and Gerontology, we help older adults live their healthiest lives. We lead comprehensive education, research and clinical programs—in partnership with our world-class university, remarkable health system and regional Veterans hospital. We are innovative, collaborative and compassionate. We strive for excellence and health equity. And we make an impact in Wisconsin and beyond.

Compensation:

The starting salary for the position is $65,000 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 and the SMPH Faculty /Academic Staff Benefits Flyer 2026.

Required Qualifications:

Minimum of three years of professional communications experience in an academic, healthcare, scientific, or research environment.
Experience developing communications content and strategy; managing websites, newsletters, and other digital communications; creating presentations and visual materials; and coordinating communications for meetings, events, and other initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications:

Two or more years’ experience in a healthcare or human subject clinical research setting.
Experience translating complex scientific or technical information into clear, engaging content for a variety of audiences, including researchers, study participants, institutional partners, and the broader public.
Experience communicating about scientific research

Education:

Bachelor’s degree preferred; focus in communications or related field preferred

How to Apply:

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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. Failure to submit the required documents will result in no longer being considered for the position.

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.

Candidates selected for a 2nd interview will be required to show examples of their work. 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:

Talia Brach, tbrach@medicine.wisc.edu, (608) 265-3063

Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

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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. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.

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).

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UW School of Medicine and Public Health

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CLARiTI Communications Specialist