Microbiologist I or II

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Job Category:

Academic Staff

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Microbiologist I

Job Summary:

The Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH) is a public health laboratory whose mission is to improve and protect the human condition by providing accurate and precise testing, service, research and education. The WSLH, as part of the University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, advances public health through specialized laboratory testing, research, and education. Our vision is to be a global leader in improving quality of life through the advancement of science-based public, environmental and occupational health laboratory practice and policy. WSLH provides essential laboratory support in accordance with the public health goals of the state and the Wisconsin Division of Health Services (WDHS).

Within WSLH, the Communicable Disease Division (CDD) performs many core functions of a public health laboratory:

• Disease prevention, control and surveillance
• Integrated data management
• Reference and specialized testing
• Food safety
• Laboratory improvement and regulation
• Policy development
• Public health preparedness and response
• Training and education
• Partnerships and Communication

CDD performs over 150 clinical diagnostic and surveillance tests in support of WDHS, Wisconsin clinical laboratories, other state and regional public health laboratories and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). WSLH is a national or regional reference center, through work performed in CDD, for advanced molecular diagnostics as well as several pathogens of public health concern.

We invite you to become a part of this leading public health laboratory and world-class university with this important position in the Communicable Disease Division.

The employee in this position works under close supervision as a member of the CDD Sequencing team. The Sequencing team supports advanced molecular diagnostics and next-generation sequencing (NGS) for the detection, characterization, and genomic analysis of pathogens of public health significance, including antimicrobial-resistant organisms, influenza, and other communicable disease agents.

This position performs molecular diagnostic and microbiological testing, including NGS-related laboratory procedures on clinical specimens and microorganisms of public health significance. Responsibilities include specimen processing, nucleic acid extraction and preparation, molecular assay workflows, conventional microbiological culture techniques, accurate documentation in the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), and preparation of laboratory worksheets and reports. The position also supports quality assurance, quality control, and continuous improvement activities to ensure accurate, reliable, and reproducible results.

Additional responsibilities may include supporting the development, evaluation, and validation of molecular and sequencing methods; preparing and revising standard operating procedures (SOPs); assisting with test costing and implementation; and providing technical instruction to laboratory personnel, students, and other healthcare professionals. This position offers the opportunity to contribute to advanced genomic surveillance and strengthen laboratory capacity for public health detection, investigation, and response.

Standard Summary:

Microbiologist I: Performs testing services within a microbiology laboratory including human, animal, and plant diagnostics, surveillance, screening, environmental monitoring, and forensic science to report clear and concise testing results.

Microbiologist II: Performs, develops, evaluates, and prepares testing services within a microbiology laboratory including human, animal, and plant diagnostics, surveillance, screening, environmental monitoring, and forensic science to report clear and concise testing results.

Key Job Responsibilities:

Microbiologist I:

• 5% - Isolates and maintains cultures of microorganisms from specimens and samples for identification and classification.
• 5% - Propagates and maintains cell lines and cultures for microorganism isolation or assay procedures with an understanding of laboratory safety.
• 30% - Performs, interprets, and reports microbiological tests or assays for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of illnesses or determine sources of contamination in the environment.
• 10% - Prepares specimens for scientific examination and analysis and/or prepares the laboratory for accreditation audits/inspections.
• 10% - Develops and conducts biological research experiments employing quality control and quality assurance practices and adhering to regulatory standards and requirements.
• 10% - Operates, maintains, and troubleshoots laboratory instrumentation and information management systems.
• 10% - Prepares, reviews, verifies, and reports test result data
• 0% - Prepares technical reports, makes scientific recommendations based on findings, and presents materials to stakeholders groups
• 5% - Establishes and maintains partnerships with internal and external stakeholders and communicates research updates
• 5% Supports and/or trains new employees, students, and other professional colleagues
• 5% Participates in educational and outreach activities and other professional development
• 5% Supports new test development and validation studies and assists in bringing new technologies to the work unit with assistance

Microbiologist II:

• 5% - Isolates and maintains cultures of microorganisms from specimens and samples for identification and classification.
• 5% - Propagates and maintains cell lines and cultures for microorganism isolation or assay procedures with an understanding of laboratory safety.
• 25% - Performs, interprets, and reports microbiological tests or assays for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of illnesses or determine sources of contamination in the environment.
• 10% - Prepares specimens for scientific examination and analysis and/or prepares the laboratory for accreditation audits/inspections.
• 10% - Develops and conducts biological research experiments employing quality control and quality assurance practices and adhering to regulatory standards and requirements.
• 10% - Operates, maintains, and troubleshoots laboratory instrumentation and information management systems.
• 10% - Prepares, reviews, verifies, and reports test result data
• 5% - Prepares technical reports, makes scientific recommendations based on findings, and presents materials to stakeholders groups
• 5% - Establishes and maintains partnerships with internal and external stakeholders and communicates research updates
• 5% Supports and/or trains new employees, students, and other professional colleagues
• 5% Participates in educational and outreach activities and other professional development
• 5% Supports new test development and validation studies and assists in bringing new technologies to the work unit with assistance

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Isolates and maintains cultures of microorganisms from specimens and samples for identification and classification - 5%

• Communicates with internal and external stakeholders as needed

• Conducts biological research experiments employing quality control and quality assurance practices and adhering to regulatory standards and requirements - 10%

• Prepares specimens for scientific examination and analysis and/or prepares the laboratory for accreditation audits/inspections - 10%

• Prepares, reviews, verifies, and reports test result data - 10%

• Performs, interprets, and reports microbiological tests or assays for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of illnesses or determine sources of contamination in the environment - 30%

• Operates and maintains laboratory instrumentation and information management systems - 10%

• Propagates and maintains cell lines and cultures for microorganism isolation or assay procedures - 5%

• Participates in educational and outreach activities and other professional development - 5%

• Supports and/or trains new employees, students, and other professional colleagues - 5%

• Supports new test development and validation studies and assists in bringing new technologies to the work unit with assistance - 5%

Department:

WSLH - Communicable Disease Division - Sequencing

Compensation:

This position is posted at multiple levels. Title and salary to be determined upon hire based on experience.

Minimum Salary for Microbiologist I: $52,900/year

Minimum Salary for Microbiologist II: $57,000/year

Required Qualifications:

• WSLH clinical services are certified through the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA), and accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP). Candidate must meet 42 CFR § 493.1489 Standard; Testing Personnel qualifications, High Complexity Testing.
• Microbiologist I: Understanding of aseptic technique, conventional microbiology techniques and molecular diagnostic testing is required.
• Microbiologist II: 2+ years of laboratory experience is required. Hands-on experience with molecular biology techniques (including PCR, real-time PCR, nucleic acid extraction, and/or DNA/RNA quantification) is required.

Must be able to visually distinguish colors. A color vision screening test is required prior to an offer of employment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Microbiologist I: Clinical and/or public health laboratory experience is preferred. Hands-on experience with molecular biology techniques (including PCR, real-time PCR, nucleic acid extraction, and/or DNA/RNA quantification) is preferred.

• Microbiologist II: Clinical and/or public health laboratory experience is preferred Experience with next-generation sequencing (NGS) methodologies, including library preparation, sequencing, and quality control of sequencing data is preferred; Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot molecular assays, sequencing workflows, and laboratory instrumentation is preferred.

Education:

At minimum, a Bachelor of Science degree in a chemical, biological, clinical or medical laboratory science or medical technology from an accredited institution, is required. Degrees in Microbiology, Genetics, or Molecular Biology preferred.

An official (or copy of an official) transcript showing conferred degree will be required as a condition of employment.

For degrees earned outside of the United States, proof of qualification equivalency is required and must be performed by a nationally recognized organization such as the National Association Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. Course by course review is required for candidates demonstrating ability to meet CLIA qualifications.

The candidate is responsible for all expenses related to acquiring and providing proof of qualifications.

Contact Information:

Please reach out to Dan Makovec at View email address on click.appcast.io with any questions.

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 backgroundsand 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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