Microbiologist II (81018)

Centurion Health; Exton (PA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 88,000; Full time

Job summary

Centurion Health seeks a Microbiologist II to support the Department of Health – Bureau of Laboratories in Exton, PA. The role involves performing WGS on pathogens, nucleic acid extraction, and quality control within a CLIA‑regulated setting.

You will provide technical training and coordinate with bioinformaticians to ensure accurate results and timely reporting. The candidate will work Monday–Friday in Exton, with duties spanning wet‑lab sequencing, data analysis, and proficiency testing to

Qualifications

• One year of professional laboratory work experience in microbiology with relevant coursework.
• Bachelor’s degree including 20 credits in microbiology/cellular/molecular biology or bacteriology and 12 credits in chemistry/biochemistry.
• Or a graduate degree in microbiology.
• A valid Pennsylvania driver’s license (required for certain positions).
• Background risk assessment test completed (required for certain positions).
• Experience with sequencing is required.
• Advance Molecular Detection experience is required.

Responsibilities

• Support the AMD Coordinator in implementing new or advanced molecular technologies.
• Provide technical assistance for sequencing platform search, review, optimization, and validation.
• Perform whole genome sequencing (WGS) on pathogenic organisms—wet‑lab library prep, sequencing, QC, and troubleshooting.
• Conduct dry‑lab sequence analysis and coordinate with a bioinformatician.
• Perform nucleic acid extraction for real‑time PCR testing and interpret results.
• Assist with organism isolation and identification by conventional and molecular methods.
• Use LIMS to accession specimens and report results to clients and partners.

Skills

Sequencing experience

Laboratory microbiology

Bioinformatics collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in microbiology with required chemistry credits

Graduate degree in microbiology

Tools

LIMS

PCR platforms

Sequencing platforms

High-throughput liquid handlers

Job description

Microbiologist II

Department of Health – Bureau of Laboratories, Exton, PA 19341

Reports to the Advance Molecular Detection (AMD) Coordinator.

Key Responsibilities

• Support the AMD Coordinator in implementing new or advanced molecular technologies, such as high‑throughput liquid handlers, sequencers, or PCR platforms.
• Provide technical assistance for new sequencing platform search, review, optimization, and validation.
• Perform whole genome sequencing (WGS) on pathogenic bacteria, viruses, and fungi, including wet‑lab genomic library preparation, sequencing, QC, and troubleshooting. Also conduct dry‑lab sequence analysis, cluster detection, and coordinate with a bioinformatician.
• Perform nucleic acid extraction of clinical isolates for use in molecular testing procedures such as real‑time PCR for the qualitative detection of infectious bacterial or viral pathogens, and analyze and interpret results.
• Assist with isolation and identification of clinically significant infectious bacterial species by conventional and molecular techniques.
• Use the laboratory information management system (LIMS) to accession specimens, manage samples through testing processes, and report laboratory results to clients and public health partners promptly.
• Participate in proficiency testing to maintain high quality standards for molecular detection of viruses, typing and subtyping, and comply with CLIA regulations.
• Perform quality control checks on equipment, reagents, controls, and procedures to ensure reliability.
• Follow Bureau Quality Control and Quality Assurance policies.
• Provide technical consultation and training on virology testing and surveillance to new laboratory employees, public health agencies, students, and clinical microbiology laboratories.
• Prepare, package, and ship outsourced tests to ensure all referral testing is performed.
• Provide customer service by telephone to submitting agencies, offering timely laboratory results and status updates to aid decisions on diagnosis, treatment, and control.
• Provide technical support to submitting agencies about specimen collection and laboratory testing procedures to ensure proper specimen collection in facilities and public health laboratories.
• Engage in educational activities, such as literature searches and conference attendance, and share information with colleagues to maintain up‑to‑date knowledge.
• Adhere to safety policies described in the Bureau of Laboratories Policy Manual, Chemical Hygiene Plan, and Bloodborne Pathogens Plan.

Qualifications

• One year of professional laboratory work experience in microbiology and a bachelor’s degree that includes 20 credits in microbiology, cellular biology, molecular biology, or bacteriology and 12 credits in chemistry or biochemistry.
• Or a graduate degree in microbiology.
• A valid Pennsylvania driver’s license (required for certain positions).
• A completed background risk assessment check (required for certain positions).
• Experience with sequencing (required).
• Advance Molecular Detection experience required.

Shift & Location

40 hours per week – Monday to Friday 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM. 110 Pickering Way, Exton, PA 19341.