Microbiology Supervisor

Job Title: Microbiology SupervisorJob Description

The Microbiology Supervisor leads and develops a microbiology and biotechnology laboratory team, ensuring high-quality testing, regulatory compliance, and efficient workflows. This role combines hands-on bench work with supervisory and project oversight responsibilities, including method validation, quality assurance, and data reporting to support clinical and public health initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, train, and supervise microbiology and biotechnology laboratory staff to ensure quality outcomes and foster professional development.

• Manage daily operations of the microbiology and BT laboratories, maintaining turnaround times and compliance with regulatory requirements.

• Review, manage, and approve modifications to testing methods, procedures, and workflows to optimize efficiency and accuracy.

• Oversee staff training programs, competency assessments, and ongoing education to maintain high technical standards.

• Support implementation and effective use of the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) within the laboratory.

• Maintain technical expertise and bench competency in BT, PulseNet, and rabies testing, and perform testing as needed.

• Manage the full lifecycle of laboratory equipment, including vendor negotiations, purchasing justifications, validations, maintenance reviews, and IQCP compliance.

• Ensure accurate performance, documentation, review, and reporting of microbiology and BT test results.

• Develop, validate, verify, and implement new testing procedures, methods, and laboratory equipment.

• Author, review, approve, and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) and other laboratory documentation.

• Compile, analyze, and report laboratory and public health data to support research, surveillance, and program evaluation.

• Design and oversee test validation studies and quality assurance activities to ensure robust and reliable testing.

• Administer and support grant-funded projects, including components of Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) grants.

• Monitor laboratory quality systems through regular review of quality reports, temperature logs, reagent records, and equipment documentation.

• Provide technical consultation and subject matter expertise to laboratory leadership, healthcare providers, and public health partners.

• Educate clients and stakeholders on testing services, specimen submission requirements, appropriate test selection, and interpretation of results.

• Deliver presentations, outreach, and training to healthcare professionals, students, public health agencies, and community audiences.

• Support clinical laboratories across Iowa through testing assistance, technical consultation, and outreach activities.

• Supervise and manage a team of approximately seven laboratory professionals, including performance feedback and workload prioritization.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of 5+ years of clinical microbiology experience in a CLIA-regulated or CAP-accredited laboratory.

• Strong background in microbiology, medical laboratory science, and bacteriology.

• Demonstrated experience with quality control, quality assurance, and validation/verification of laboratory tests.

• Proficiency in clinical laboratory operations and aseptic technique.

• At least 1 year of experience providing project oversight within a laboratory performing test validation and/or quality control.

• Ability to supervise, mentor, and develop laboratory staff in a high-complexity testing environment.

• Experience managing and optimizing laboratory workflows, procedures, and testing methods.

• Competence in using laboratory information systems (LIMS) and related documentation processes.

• Strong analytical skills for compiling, interpreting, and reporting laboratory and public health data.

• Effective communication skills for consultation, education, and presentations to diverse professional and public audiences.

• Certification as MLT or ASCP (or equivalent) is strongly preferred.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology with at least 5+ years of clinical microbiology experience in a CLIA-regulated laboratory.

• Alternatively, a master’s degree in Microbiology with 2–3 years of clinical microbiology experience in a CLIA-regulated laboratory.

• Experience working in CAP-accredited laboratory settings.

• Familiarity with BT, PulseNet, and rabies testing methodologies.

• Experience designing and overseeing test validation studies and quality assurance initiatives.

• background in administering or supporting grant-funded laboratory projects, including ELC-related activities.

• Ability to develop, author, and maintain detailed SOPs and laboratory documentation.

• Comfort presenting to healthcare professionals, students, public health agencies, and community groups.

• Strong organizational skills to balance supervisory duties, bench work, and administrative responsibilities.

Work Environment

This is a full-time position with a typical schedule of Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., with rotating holiday coverage and occasional weekend work as needed to ensure laboratory coverage. The role combines hands-on laboratory work with computer-based tasks such as documentation, data analysis, and reporting. The supervisor will oversee a team of approximately seven staff members in a professional clinical and public health laboratory setting that emphasizes quality, safety, and continuous improvement.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Iowa City, IA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $30.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Iowa City,IA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 7, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.