About the role
Department Overview:
SMPH Information Technology is a multidisciplinary team of analysts, engineers, developers, and IT support staff that provides technology, data, and infrastructure services to departments, centers, and institutes throughout the School of Medicine and Public Health.
SMPH Cybersecurity supports the school by helping departments, centers, and institutes protect sensitive data, manage cybersecurity risk, and meet regulatory and compliance requirements. Cybersecurity provides services such as cybersecurity risk assessments, software and vendor security reviews, vulnerability management, incident response, regulatory compliance consultations, security awareness education, network security guidance, and cybersecurity strategic planning.
Through these activities, SMPH Cybersecurity enables research, education, healthcare, and administrative operations to securely adopt technology while reducing organizational risk and strengthening the school's overall security posture.
Anticipated Start Date:
December 20, 2026
Anticipated End Date (If Applicable):
Remote Work Eligibility Detail:
All Remote
Anticipated Hours Per Week:
Minimum: 15 Maximum: 25
Schedule:
We are looking for a student hourly position to work between 15 - 25 hours per week. Scheduling is flexible but requires availability during normal business hours (8am - 5pm) Monday through Friday.
Salary/Wage Range/Lump Sum:
Minimum: $15.00 / hr
Number of Positions:
1
Qualifications:
Required
Current enrollment at the University of Wisconsin-Madison or another academic institution.
Demonstrated willingness to learn new skills and technologies.
Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
Ability to communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences.
Customer service mindset and commitment to professionalism.
Ability to work independently while also collaborating with a team.
Preferred
Pursuing a degree in Cybersecurity, Information Science, Information Technology, Computer Science, Business Analytics, Data Science, Health Informatics, or a related field.
Interest in cybersecurity, risk management, compliance, privacy, or technology governance.
Familiarity with cybersecurity concepts such as phishing, least privilege, vulnerability management, risk assessment, or incident response.
Completion of or pursuit of an entry-level certification such as ISC2 Certified in Cybersecurity (CC) or CompTIA Security+.
Experience creating technical documentation, reports, presentations, or process diagrams.
Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:
Strong analytical and critical thinking skills.
Ability to identify trends, patterns, and opportunities for improvement.
Excellent written communication with the ability to create clear, plain-language documentation.
Strong verbal communication and presentation skills.
Ability to manage multiple priorities and meet deadlines.
Curiosity and interest in learning emerging cybersecurity risks and technologies.
Ability to handle sensitive information with discretion and professionalism.
Basic understanding of project management and process improvement concepts.
Position Summary/Job Duties
The Cybersecurity Student Assistant will support a variety of cybersecurity and risk management activities while learning industry best practices and security frameworks. Responsibilities may include developing documentation, supporting cybersecurity awareness initiatives, assisting with compliance and risk-management activities, tracking security metrics, reviewing access controls, researching security technologies, and supporting strategic cybersecurity projects.
The position offers exposure to real-world cybersecurity operations within a large academic healthcare environment and provides opportunities to build skills in governance, risk, compliance (GRC), security operations, project management, and business communication.
The successful candidate will work closely with cybersecurity professionals while gaining exposure to governance, risk, compliance (GRC), security operations, strategic planning, and security awareness programs
Physical Demands
Work is primarily performed in an office setting and requires frequent use of a computer, keyboard, and monitor. Occasional standing, walking, and lifting of office materials up to 15 pounds may be required.
Institutional Statements
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
UW-Madison is an Equal Employment, Equal Access Employer committed to increasing the diversity of our workforce.
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.
For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: diversity.wisc.edu
Accommodation Statement
If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request at the following website:https://employeedisabilities.wisc.edu/disability-accommodation-information-for-applicants/