Microbiology Supervisor

Actalent; Iowa City (IA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 49,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Life Insurance

Short/long-term disability

HSA benefits

Paid time off

Job summary

Actalent is hiring a Clinical Microbiology Supervisor in Iowa City. This onsite role leads a team of microbiology and biotechnology staff, ensuring quality results and regulatory compliance while managing testing methods and LIMS.

The role requires 5+ years in clinical microbiology, strong QA skills, and experience with test validation and staff development. Expect regular leadership and coordination with public health partners.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of clinical microbiology experience in a CLIA or CAP regulated lab.
• Strong skills in microbiology, medical laboratory practices, bacteriology, quality control, and quality assurance.
• Experience in validation verification and maintaining aseptic technique.
• Ability to handle project oversight within a lab performing test validation and/or quality control.

Responsibilities

• Lead, coach, train, and supervise Microbiology and BT staff.
• Manage and approve modifications to testing methods and workflows for quality and regulatory compliance.
• Oversee staff training, competency assessments, and LIMS implementation.
• Maintain technical bench competency in BT, PulseNet, and rabies testing.
• Ensure accuracy, documentation, and reporting of test results.
• Design and oversee test validation studies and quality assurance activities.
• Administer and support grant-funded projects including ELC components.
• Provide technical consultation to leadership and public health partners.
• Educate clients on testing services, specimen submission, and result interpretation.

Skills

Clinical microbiology expertise

Regulatory compliance

Quality control & QA

Project oversight

Education

Bachelors in Microbiology

Advanced degree in Microbiology

Certification (MLT/ASCP) desirable

Job description

Clinical Microbiology Supervisor

Job Description

Lead, coach, train, and supervise Microbiology and Biotechnology (BT) laboratory staff to ensure quality outcomes and professional development. Manage and approve modifications to testing methods, procedures, and workflows to maintain turnaround times and regulatory compliance. Oversee staff training, competency assessments, and implementation of the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).

Responsibilities

• Maintain technical expertise and bench competency in BT, PulseNet, and rabies testing.
• Manage laboratory equipment lifecycle, including vendor negotiations, purchasing justifications, validations, maintenance reviews, and IQCP compliance.
• Ensure the accuracy, documentation, review, and reporting of microbiology and BT test results.
• Develop, validate, verify, and implement new testing procedures, methods, and equipment.
• Author, review, approve, and maintain standard operating procedures (SOPs) and laboratory documentation.
• Compile, analyze, and report laboratory and public health data to support research and surveillance efforts.
• Design and oversee test validation studies and quality assurance activities.
• Administer and support grant-funded projects, including Epidemiology and Laboratory Capacity (ELC) grant components.
• Monitor laboratory quality systems through review of 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, test selection, and result interpretation.
• Deliver presentations, outreach, and training to healthcare professionals, students, public health agencies, and the general public.
• Support clinical laboratories across Iowa through testing assistance, consultation, and outreach activities.

Essential Skills

• 5+ years of clinical microbiology experience in a CLIA or CAP regulated lab.
• Strong skills in microbiology, medical laboratory practices, bacteriology, quality control, and quality assurance.
• Experience in validation verification and maintaining aseptic technique.
• Ability to handle project oversight within a lab performing test validation and/or quality control.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Microbiology with 5+ years of relevant experience.
• Advanced degree in Microbiology with 2-3 years of relevant experience is also acceptable.
• Certification such as MLT or ASCP is desirable.

Work Environment

Work hours are Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM with some weekend coverage. The role involves supervisory responsibilities, managing a team of 7 people.

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 Sep 30, 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 [e-mail] 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.