The Initiative in Social Genomics (ISG) was one of six successful proposals selected in 2018 by UW’s Cluster Hiring Initiative—designed to foster collaboration across academic disciplines; ISG is just one example of efforts made on campus to broaden research into genomics.
ISG’s goal is to expand emerging expertise by integrating genetic and social and health science questions from multiple disciplinary backgrounds including health economics, genetic epidemiology, psychology, and statistical genetics.
Research Themes

Computational Approaches to Social Genomics

Gene-Environment Interplay and/or Epigenetics

Implications of Social Genomics for Social and Public Policy
ISG Faculty Positions

UW’s Cluster Hiring Initiative created three new tenure-track faculty positions, all with appointments in relevant home departments, related to specific research themes in social genomics.
Professor Lauren Schmitz (Public Affairs) joined the UW faculty in fall 2019 to lead research on gene-environment interplay and epigenetics.
Schmitz, along with several other UW faculty across campus, spearheads the Initiative in Social Genomics.
Social Genomics Cluster Hire Opening
Assistant or Associate Professor of Social Genomics (PVL#268582)
The University of Wisconsin–Madison invites applications for a position in the area of Social Genomics beginning July 1, 2023.
The successful candidate will have their tenure home in the Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics with a potential joint appointment in Sociology, Psychology, Population Health Sciences, or another related department.
The deadline for assuring full consideration is December 15, 2022, however, this position will remain open and applications may be considered until this position is filled.