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Lab Planner

University of Wisconsin-Madison · Madison, WI

Posted Sep 29, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a project where the budget could not cover everything the users wanted. What did you do?

What they are checking: Whether they can make trade-offs and help clients accept them.

How do you work with campus facilities, safety offices and contractors on a project?

What they are checking: Whether they can coordinate many stakeholders in a university setting.

Tell me about a lab or space you designed that you are proud of. Why did it work?

What they are checking: Whether they have real experience creating functional, creative spaces.

What would you do

How do you learn what researchers really need when they are not sure how to describe it?

What they are checking: Whether they can draw out requirements from scientists through good questions.

A faculty member wants a design change that would delay the project. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they can manage change requests while protecting the schedule.

About the work

Walk me through how you would plan a research lab renovation, from first meeting with faculty to construction.

What they are checking: Whether they understand the full process of lab planning.

What do you consider when planning lab utilities like fume hoods, gases and ventilation?

What they are checking: Whether they understand the technical systems that make labs safe and usable.

How is planning an instructional lab different from planning a research lab?

What they are checking: Whether they understand both types of spaces the role covers.

How do you design a lab so it can change as research needs change?

What they are checking: Whether they plan flexible spaces that serve the college over time.

What design software do you use, and how do you present designs to non-designers?

What they are checking: Whether they have the tools and communication skills for the role.

Practice this interview out loud.

Offer builds a real interview for this exact role at University of Wisconsin-Madison from your resume and this job description, asks the questions one at a time, and tells you what landed. The first one is free.

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The full job description

As published by University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process. Job Category: Academic Staff Employment Type: Regular Job Profile: Architectural Designer Job Summary: Do you enjoy designing creative, functional environments that make a real impact? Join the College of Engineering Facilities Team and help shape the spaces where education, research and collaboration thrive. Here is your opportunity to make a lasting impact on the educational environment at a World Class Institution. The College of Engineering Facilities Team, which reports to the Dean’s Office, is a full-spectrum organization that designs, maintains, and operates the College of Engineering physical environment to support the College’s education, research and outreach activities. The College has nine academic departments, 40+ research centers and 2,800 Faculty, Staff and Graduate/Undergraduate student employees. The College has 8 current buildings totaling over 800,000 SF and multiple satellite spaces throughout the UW Campus from which it operates its classroom instruction, research and instructional laboratories, and administrative functions. Under the supervision of the Associate Director of Facilities, the Lab Planner position will primarily focus on leading instructional, research and lab remodeling projects for the College of Engineering. The specific tasks can include programming, design development, color and finish selections, furniture specifications, estimating, purchasing and project management. This position will also interact with UW Campus Facilities, Planning and Management team, Vendors, Faculty, Staff and Students to further ensure that projects meet the College of Engineering expectations. Why join us: • Work on creative, challenging projects that shape the future of the College of Engineering. • Collaborate with talented professionals in Architecture, Engineering and Design. • Thrive in a role that blends creativity, problem-solving, and project management. Additional information Applicants for this position will be considered for the Architectural Designer or Registered Architect title based on successful candidate being a State of Wisconsin licensed Architect. It is anticipated this position requires work to be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location. This position is full time, 100%, and ongoing. Key Job Responsibilities: • Serves as a subject matter expert to unit leadership regarding architectural technology, design, methodology, and execution for varying facilities projects • Assesses, designs, modifies, and constructs institution facilities utilizing architectural techniques and best practices • Monitors, interprets, communicates, and applies all established building codes, policies, and procedures • Coordinate large moves for both laboratories and support areas working with College, Campus, and Vendor representatives • Prepare documentation of laboratory systems such as casework, lab equipment, and development of laboratory spaces to create the next generation settings for research • Liaises facility construction plans with internal and external stakeholders and vendors, and provides architectural guidance and recommendations to align with strategic facility planning Department: College of Engineering, Facilities Compensation: The starting salary for the position is $70,000, but is negotiable based on experience and qualifications. Required Qualifications: • Lab project experience assessing, designing, and executing constructions projects • Proficient in AutoCAD • Ability to work independently as well as effectively collaborate within a diverse team environment to complete tasks. • Must be able to effectively allocate time and resources independently to meet deadline expectations. • A strong problem solver who will provide creative and complete resolutions to issues. • This person must demonstrate strong customer service and organizational skills, as well as professional and courteous written/oral communication. Preferred Qualifications: • Extensive experience in lab programming/planning • Project experience in higher education instructional and/or laboratory spaces. • Bluebeam • Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, and Teams). Education: Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, or Interior Design preferred. How to Apply: Please go to the “Apply Now” area and select your current UW Employment Status. Applicants are required to upload a resume and a cover letter. Your cover letter should address how your training and experience aligns with the required and preferred qualifications listed in the job posting. Application reviewers will rely on these written materials to determine which applicants will move forward in the process. The search committee will review all application materials after the posted deadline. We will notify selected applicants to participate further in the selection process directly. A portfolio or examples of prior work/projects will be required for applicants identified as finalists. References will be requested from final candidates. All applicants will be notified after the search is complete and a candidate has been selected. Contact Information: John Fernsler, jfernsler@wisc.edu, 608-890-3294 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. 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). 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 .

Apply at University of Wisconsin-Madison