Microbiologist I or II (JR10016384)

Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH); Doctor Phillips (FL); On-site; USD 53,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH) invites applications for a Microbiologist I/II position within the Communicable Disease Division. The role involves routine and advanced microbiology testing, culture maintenance, and molecular workflows to support public health surveillance and outbreak response.

The team performs sequencing and molecular diagnostics, with opportunities to contribute to genomic surveillance and laboratory capacity building.

Qualifications

• CLIA-certified clinical services and CAP accreditation are required.
• 2+ years of laboratory experience is required for Microbiologist II.

Responsibilities

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

Job description

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, 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.

Position Overview

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

• 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
• Department: WSLH
• 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