CWD Lab Technician

University of Wisconsin-Madison; Madison (WI); On-site; USD 26,000 - 37,000; Full time

Job summary

University of Wisconsin–Madison is seeking a Lab Technician for the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (WVDL) to support CWD testing. This seasonal, fixed-term position runs through January 2027 with potential extension based on funding and performance.

Responsibilities include ELISA/IHC screening, sample prep, data entry into LIMS, QC, and equipment maintenance. Schedule is Mon–Fri, 7:45am–4:30pm, with possible overtime evenings and weekends. Department: Pathology/TSE.

Qualifications

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while performing laboratory duties.
• Demonstrated attention to detail and ability to accurately follow established procedures and protocols.
• Ability to perform repetitive tasks and motions throughout the workday while maintaining accuracy and consistency.
• Ability to maintain focus and productivity in a fast-paced, high-volume laboratory environment.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks while meeting quality and turnaround time expectations.

Responsibilities

• Perform pre-analytical tasks associated with TSE screening using ELISA and IHC per SOPs.
• Organize, prepare, and document samples and work logs prior to testing.
• Read, record, and enter testing data into LIMS under supervision of Lab Manager.
• Complete and verify QC procedures and maintain required records for testing accuracy.
• Execute routine maintenance and basic troubleshooting of laboratory equipment.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment with routine disinfection.
• Adhere to all QA, biosafety, and workplace safety requirements.
• Support timely CWD diagnostic testing to aid surveillance and consumer protection.

Skills

Attention to detail

Follow SOPs

Organizational skills

Sit/stand flexible

Multitasking

Education

HS Diploma or GED

Two years relevant experience

Bachelor's degree (preferred)

Job description

Salary

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

University Staff

Employment Type

Terminal (Fixed Term)

Job Profile

Lab Technician

Job Summary

Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD) is a fatal prion disease affecting deer, elk, reindeer, sika deer, and moose. The disease continues to spread throughout Wisconsin and across the United States, and there are currently no treatments or vaccines available. Because prion diseases may pose risks to public health, the World Health Organization recommends preventing the agents of all known prion diseases from entering the human food chain.

The Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (WVDL) plays a critical role in protecting consumers and monitoring the spread of CWD by providing diagnostic testing services. As hunting season approaches and testing demand increases, WVDL is temporarily expanding its workforce to support the additional workload and ensure timely processing of CWD samples.

Key Responsibilities

• Perform pre-analytical tasks associated with Transmissible Spongiform Encephalopathy (TSE) screening using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and Immunohistochemistry (IHC) methods in accordance with established Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs).
• Organize, prepare, and document samples and work logs prior to testing.
• Read, record, and enter testing data and results into the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) under the guidance and oversight of the Laboratory Manager.
• Complete and verify all quality control (QC) procedures and maintain required records to ensure testing accuracy and compliance.
• Perform routine maintenance and basic troubleshooting of laboratory equipment.
• Maintain a clean, organized, and safe work environment, including routine disinfection of benchtops, biosafety cabinets, and laboratory instruments.
• Adhere to all WVDL quality assurance, biosafety, and workplace safety requirements as outlined in laboratory Quality and Safety Manuals.
• Support the laboratory's efforts to provide accurate and timely CWD diagnostic testing to assist in disease surveillance and consumer protection.

Work Schedule & Duration

This position is expected to be seasonal and end in January 2027; however, there is a possibility of extension based on funding availability, program need and performance. It is also possible that this position will be made renewable based on funding availability, program need and performance.

Work schedule is Monday through Friday 7:45am - 4:30pm. Some overtime work may be available and/or assigned, including evenings and weekends.

Key Job Responsibilities

• Uses, maintains, calibrates, and sets up lab equipment and apparatuses according to established policies and procedures and documents activities.
• Completes and acknowledges trainings.
• Performs quality control, acknowledges documents, performs document reviews and/or writes and revises documents as assigned.
• Coordinates and participates in a variety of routine technical duties by providing assistance to research and/or laboratory staff in testing and experiments.
• Sets up, prepares, and cleans laboratory glassware, instruments, equipment, and laboratory work spaces.

Department

Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory - Pathology/TSE

Compensation

$23.00/hr

Required Qualifications

• Ability to sit or stand for extended periods while performing laboratory duties.
• Demonstrated attention to detail and ability to accurately follow established procedures and protocols.
• Ability to perform repetitive tasks and motions throughout the workday while maintaining accuracy and consistency.
• Ability to maintain focus and productivity in a fast-paced, high-volume laboratory environment.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to manage multiple tasks while meeting quality and turnaround time expectations.

Preferred Qualifications

The Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (WVDL) will provide training to candidates who demonstrate the aptitude and willingness to learn. Ideal candidates will have familiarity and experience with tissue handling and preparation techniques. Familiarity with ELISA procedures, histotechnology, and immunohistochemistry is highly valued. Specific experience with TSE testing is also a plus.

Candidates should be detail-oriented, able to follow standard operating procedures, and comfortable performing repetitive tasks and motions associated with sample preparation and laboratory testing. Strong organizational skills and the ability to maintain accuracy in a fast-paced laboratory environment are highly valued.

Education

Minimum: HS Diploma or GED, plus two years of relevant experience

Preferred: Bachelor's Degree

Contact Information

WVDL Human Resources, [e-mail]

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.

More information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit HumanResources 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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