Microbiologist I or Microbiologist II

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:

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 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). WSLH is part of the University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH).

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 275 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 a number of pathogens of public health concern, such as Influenza, antimicrobial resistant organisms, vaccine-preventable diseases, and gastrointestinal pathogens (bacterial, parasitic and viral). CDD performs a wide breadth of moderate and high complexity testing and analyses in Bacteriology, Virology, Serology, Mycobacteriology, Parasitology, Bioinformatics and pre-and post-analytic support units (Customer Service, Specimen Receiving, Data/ Informatics and Clinical Orders). 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 Bacteriology, Virology or Serology team. Duties of this position include (not limited to): Manipulation of patient and reference samples suspected or known to contain pathogens of public health significance, following test procedures for various assays to produce reliable results, entering specimen data and communications into the CDD Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS), generating worksheets, laboratory reports and performing other routine laboratory activities as needed. This position will use aseptic technique to perform conventional microbiology culture methods as well as molecular diagnostic testing on patient specimens and microorganisms of public health significance. This position will participate in ongoing quality control, assurance and improvement activities. This position may also participate in new method development, test costing, method evaluation, test validation, writing of standard operating procedures (SOP) and the occasional instruction of new staff, laboratorians, students and medical personnel in laboratory procedures.

A color vision screening will be conducted prior to an offer of employment.

Additional Information (hours, location, weekend work) Hours: 7:45-4:30, Monday through Friday in person with occasional weekend, holiday and public health emergency response work required.

Key job responsibilities:

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

• Prepares technical reports - 10%

• Communicates with internal and external stakeholders as needed - 5%

• Isolates and maintains cultures of microorganisms from specimens and samples for identification and classification - 10%

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

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

• Performs, interprets, and reports microbiological tests or assays for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of illnesses or determine sources of contamination in the environment - 35%

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

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

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

Department:

WSLH - Communicable Disease Division

Compensation:

$48,500/year minimum for Microbiologist I and $56,000/year minimum for Microbiologist II (Final salary is negotiable based on experience and qualifications. Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and paid time off; competitive insurances and saving accounts; retirement benefits).

Required qualifications:

For the Microbiologist I: Understanding of aseptic technique, conventional microbiology techniques and molecular diagnostic testing is required. Hands-on experience is preferred.

For the Microbiologist II: Minimum of three years of laboratory experience is required. Clinical and/or public health laboratory experience is preferred. Hands-on experience with aseptic and conventional microbiology techniques is required. Hands-on experience with high complexity molecular testing (e.g. PCR, sequencing) is required.

A color vision screening will be conducted prior to an offer of employment.

Preferred qualifications:

Ability to pass federal clearance to perform work with select agents may be required. Knowledge of biological and chemical laboratory safety practices, including experience working in a Biosafety Level 3 (BSL-3) is preferred.

Education:

Bachelor's degree required.

Degree in Medical Microbiology, Clinical Laboratory Science, Bacteriology or other biological science is required to meet CLIA laboratory Testing Personnel Standards for this position.

How to apply:

To begin the application process please click on the "apply now" button. you will be asked to upload a current resume/cv and cover letter briefly describing your qualifications relevant to the position.

WSLH does not sponsor work visas at the time of hire or anytime during employment for this position. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required Employment Eligibility Form I-9.

The selected applicant will be required to pass a criminal background check prior to an offer of employment.

Contact information:

Please reach out to Dan Makovec at 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 backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.

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

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.