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Research Technician

University of Wisconsin-Madison · Madison, WI

Posted Sep 25, 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 time you talked with someone who was upset or struggling. How did you respond?

What they are checking: Whether they can be warm and steady with participants who may be in distress.

What interests you about research on exercise and psychotherapy for depression?

What they are checking: Whether they have real interest in the work, which helps in a role that involves careful, repeated interviews.

What would you do

A participant mentions thoughts of suicide during an interview. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they know to follow the study's safety protocol and contact the supervising clinician right away.

A participant gives vague answers that make it hard to rate a symptom. How do you handle it?

What they are checking: Whether they can probe gently and stay within the interview's rules without leading the participant.

You'd work across two projects at about 20 hours a week each. How would you keep schedules and records straight?

What they are checking: Whether they can manage two research teams' needs without mixing up protocols or data.

About the work

You'd conduct structured clinical interviews to assess psychopathology. What experience do you have with tools like the SCID or MINI?

What they are checking: Whether they have used structured diagnostic interviews or have the background to learn them well.

These studies focus on major depressive disorder. What do you know about how depression is diagnosed?

What they are checking: Whether they understand DSM criteria well enough to ask good follow-up questions in an interview.

How do you stay neutral and consistent when interviewing many different participants?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that standardized interviews depend on asking questions the same way every time.

How would you keep your ratings reliable over time, especially across two different projects?

What they are checking: Whether they value calibration, supervision and reliability checks as part of the work.

How do you protect participant confidentiality when handling interview records?

What they are checking: Whether they follow data privacy rules carefully in NIH-funded research.

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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: University Staff Employment Type: Terminal (Fixed Term) Job Profile: Research Technician Job Summary: The Wellbeing and Exercise Laboratory, led by Dr. Jacob Meyer (Kinesiology), PhD, in conjunction with Dr. Simon Goldberg (Counseling Psychology), is recruiting a Clinical Interviewer to perform structured clinical interviews that include assessment of psychopathology and determination of current symptoms across various disorders. The Interviewer will provide assessments for participants using a structured clinical interview for diagnosing mental health disorders as part of NIH-funded studies on exercise and psychotherapy. The clinical interviewer will perform structured interviews across two NIH-funded intervention projects focused on major depressive disorder. This is an hourly position, with roughly 20h/wk. anticipated to be allocated to each of the two projects (up to 40h/wk. total). Training in specific assessments will be provided during the initial phase of employment prior to engaging in research visits. Clinical supervision will be provided by Dr. Goldberg. Primary responsibilities will be as follows: · 85% - Collects data and monitors test results according to established research requirements and specifications · 5% - Reviews data to summarize results for presentations or reporting; attending clinical supervision sessions with senior psychologist · 10% - Participates in the development, interpretation, and implementation of research methodology and materials This is a terminal appointment with an anticipated start date of November 9, 2026, and an end date of November 8, 2028. The appointment will be between 75% and 100% FTE, based on programmatic needs and available funding. This appointment is expected to end on November 8, 2028, with no expectation of continued employment beyond that date. Key Job Responsibilities: • Inspects and maintains equipment, supplies, inventory, and facility spaces • Performs lab and/or field test materials and samples according to established research requirements and specifications. Performs lab or field tests • Reviews data to summarize results for presentations or reporting • May assist with literature reviews and/or report writing • Collects data and monitors test results according to established research requirements and specifications Department: School of Education / Kinesiology Compensation: $18.00 Required Qualifications: • Experience working in team environments. • Experience in human subjects research. • Ability to work collaboratively as part of a research team. • Strong interpersonal and verbal communication skills, including the ability to interact professionally and sensitively with research participants. • Ability to follow standardized research protocols and procedures accurately and consistently. Preferred Qualifications: • Experience in conducting psychological assessment and mental health diagnosis. • Experience with conducting clinical interviews (e.g., SCID, MINI, HAMD). • Experience working with research participants experiencing mental health concerns. Education: Bachelor’s degree in psychology or related field minimum How to Apply: To begin the application process, click on the "I am a current employee" button or "I am not a current employee" button 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. Upload a copy of: • Current Resume/CV • Cover Letter addressing how your training and experience align with the required and preferred qualifications listed above Note: References will be requested from final candidates. All applicants will be notified once the search concludes and a candidate is selected. Incomplete application packages that do not include all the requested documentation will not be considered. Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their 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 need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment. UW-Madison is not an E-Verify employer, and therefore, is not eligible to employ F1 STEM OPT Extension participants. Contact Information: Dr. Jacob Meyer Jdmeyer3@wisc.edu 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 .

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