Principal Microbiologist (35 Hour)

State of Connecticut - Department of Public Health; Rocky Hill (CT); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

The State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health, State Public Health Laboratory, invites internal applicants for the Principal Microbiologist role in the Advanced Molecular Diagnostics (AMD) program at the Rocky Hill facility. This supervisor position advances high‑complexity molecular diagnostics and supports statewide public health response.

The role requires leading a unit, coordinating workflows, ensuring biosafety compliance, and guiding staff through complex microbiological analyses,

Qualifications

• Eight (8) years of experience in a public health or medical laboratory involving scientific work in microbiology, biochemistry or molecular biology.
• Two (2) years at full working level in microbiology (Microbiologist 2 level for CT state employees).
• College training may substitute for General Experience: 15 semester hours = 0.5 year, max 4 years for a Bachelor's; Master’s may substitute for 1 extra year.

Responsibilities

• Plan unit workflow and priorities.
• Schedule, assign, oversee and review work.
• Lead staff and provide training and supervision.
• Maintain unit procedures and quality assurance programs.
• Coordinate with other units and outside officials.
• Perform complex microbiological, molecular and biochemical analyses as needed.

Skills

RT-PCR

Sequencing

Molecular diagnostics

Biosafety

Quality assurance

Staff supervision

Data interpretation

Public health collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in natural sciences

Master's degree in natural sciences

Tools

Sequencing instruments

Laboratory instrumentation

Job description

Introduction

Are you a current DPH employee looking to take the next step in your laboratory career? Advance your expertise as a Principal Microbiologist and help lead critical work within the State Public Health Laboratory's Advanced Molecular Diagnostics (AMD) program!

The State of Connecticut, Department of Public Health (DPH), State Public Health Laboratory, is excited to announce an internal promotional opportunity for the position of Principal Microbiologist. This role plays a vital part in advancing high‑complexity molecular diagnostics, supporting statewide public health response, and strengthening laboratory readiness. Please note: This opportunity is open only to current DPH employees.

Position Highlights

• Location: 395 West Street, Rocky Hill, CT
• Schedule: Monday - Friday
• Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week, 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM (First Shift)

Grow with the State of Connecticut

Continue enjoying the comprehensive benefits you know and rely on – review our State Employee Benefits Overview for a refresher on everything available to you. Continue to enjoy a healthy work/life balance!

About the Position

The Advanced Molecular Diagnostics (AMD) Laboratory is a rapidly evolving section of the State Public Health Laboratory, dedicated to the identification and characterization of emerging and re‑emerging pathogens. This unit utilizes whole genome sequencing, high‑complexity molecular assays, and advanced diagnostic platforms to support outbreak investigations, surveillance, and clinical decision‑making across Connecticut.

Eligibility and Selection Plan

In order to be considered for this job opening you must be a current State of CT employee of the agency listed above for at least six (6) months of full‑time service or full‑time equivalent service, absent any applicable collective bargaining language, and meet the Minimum Qualifications as listed on the job opening. You must specify your qualifications on your application.

Salary Calculations: For current state employees, salary calculations are not necessarily comparable from one of the three branches of state government (i.e., Executive, Legislative, Judicial) to the other.

Purpose of Job Class (Nature of Work)

In the Department of Public Health this class is accountable for acting as a working supervisor responsible for a large and/or complex grouping of work in a laboratory.

Examples of Duties

• Plans unit workflow and determines priorities
• Schedules, assigns, oversees and reviews work
• Establishes and maintains unit procedures
• Provides staff training and assistance
• Conducts or assists in conducting performance evaluations
• Acts as liaison with other operating units, agencies and outside officials regarding unit policies and procedures
• Conducts complex or specialized as well as routine microbiological, biomedical, molecular and biochemical analysis as necessary to ensure prompt processing of specimens
• Maintains quality assurance programs
• Prepares and maintains records, reports and correspondence
• Processes specimens under chain-of-custody
• Maintains knowledge of current developments and changes in field of expertise
• Oversees the use of and utilizes universal laboratory precautions
• Utilizes computers to operate and maintain instrumentation and to access, interpret, modify and report test results
• Acts for Supervising Microbiologist in their absence
• May be responsible for leading staff and a variety of activities outside normal working hours
• May make recommendations on policies or standards
• May testify in court
• Performs related duties as required

Knowledge, Skill and Ability

Considerable knowledge of current theories, principles and practices of biomedical sciences and microbiological disciplines including bacteriology, parasitology, virology and others as they relate to public health; current laboratory methods, equipment, instrumentation and material; quality assurance and quality control policies and procedures; universal laboratory precautions; common statistical techniques and ability to make sophisticated calculations; interpersonal skills; oral and written communication skills; perform advanced biomedical, microbiological and biochemical examinations; conduct analytical, consultative and research activities; interpret complex examination results in the context of patient history and epidemiology of disease or agent; utilize computer software; supervisory ability.

Minimum Qualifications - General Experience

Eight (8) years of experience in a public health or medical laboratory involving scientific work in the field of microbiology, biochemistry or molecular biology.

Minimum Qualifications - Special Experience

Two (2) years of the General Experience must have been at the full working level in the field of microbiology. Note: For state employees this experience is interpreted at the level of a Microbiologist 2.

Minimum Qualifications - Substitutions Allowed

College training in the natural sciences may be substituted for the General Experience on the basis of fifteen (15) semester hours equalling one‑half (1/2) year of experience to a maximum of four (4) years for a Bachelor's degree. A Master's degree in the natural sciences may be substituted for one (1) additional year of the General Experience.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with clinical molecular diagnostic techniques and procedures including RT‑PCR and sequencing and instrument operation and maintenance for the detection, identification, and characterization of pathogenic bacteria, fungal, and viral agents.
• Experience with whole genomic sequencing (WGS) wet preparation workflow, and demonstration of both technical depth and practical relevance, including challenges and solutions.
• Experience coordinating with others to establish and maintain daily workflow priorities while ensuring enhanced Biosafety Level 2 policies and procedures are followed.
• Experience budgeting and maintaining an adequate in‑date inventory of reagents and supplies.
• Experience with quality assurance and quality control procedures needed to meet clinical laboratory regulatory requirements including maintaining and utilizing up to date standard operating procedures and ensuring compliance within the laboratory section.
• Experience with planning, conducting, interpreting and summarizing data in the validation of FDA approved and laboratory developed test methods.
• Experience communicating with internal and external public health partners and stakeholders regarding laboratory policies, procedures, test methods performed and interpretation of analytical results.

Special Requirements

• Incumbents in this class must be willing to periodically undergo tests or immunizations for communicable diseases.
• Incumbents in this class may be required to have specific education and/or experience to meet the various certification and/or licensing requirements.
• Incumbents may be required to undergo and successfully complete security background checks.

Working Conditions

Incumbents in this class may be exposed to communicable diseases and hazardous substances.

Affirmative Action / Equal Opportunity Employer

The State of Connecticut is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and strongly encourages the applications of women, minorities, and persons with disabilities.

Acknowledgement

As defined by Sec. 5-196 of the Connecticut General Statutes, a job class is a position or group of positions that share general characteristics and are categorized under a single title for administrative purposes. As such, a job class is not meant to be all‑inclusive of every task and/or responsibility.