Senior Research Microbiologist – Clinical Pathogen Testing

Wayne State University; Atlanta (GA); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Wayne State University is seeking a senior Research Microbiologist to lead molecular and growth-based testing for rapid resistance detection in infectious pathogens. The role emphasizes CLIA compliance, SOP development, and quality management across the laboratory team.

You will oversee assay development, validation, and data analysis, ensuring high analytic performance and adherence to SOPs. This is a non-remote, onsite senior position with supervisory responsibilities and opportunities for

Qualifications

• One year of specialized experience at GS-13 level or equivalent in clinical microbiology.
• Experience overseeing molecular and growth-based testing of bacterial pathogens.
• Drafting, reviewing and approving SOPs under a quality management system.
• Knowledge of CLIA requirements and related safety regulations.

Responsibilities

• Lead a clinical service for rapid detection of drug resistance in infectious pathogens.
• Ensure compliance with CLIA objectives and regulations; coordinate with supervisors.
• Develop and validate laboratory methods for detection and characterization of pathogens.
• Manage data analysis and QA activities within the lab team.
• Supervise the laboratory team and develop related capabilities.

Skills

Molecular testing oversight

Growth-based assay experience

Quality management

Data analysis

Education

Microbiology degree

Graduate microbiology education

Job description

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This job is open to career or career conditional federal employees in the competitive service; Displaced Federal employees with CTAP or ICTAP eligibility; Military Spouses; Veterans; 30% disabled Veterans; Individuals eligible for VEOA appointments; Foreign service employees; National Service (Peace Corps/VISTA); USPHS officers and officer candidates; Individuals eligible under a special authority; Certain former overseas employees; Former employees with reinstatement eligibility; and Individuals with disabilities.

***THIS POSITION IS NOT REMOTE. ONLY ONSITE***

***Few vacancies in the following location:

• Atlanta, GA

***YOU MUST APPLY ON USAJOBS.***

Link to USAJOBS vacancy announcement: https://www.usajobs.gov/job/882762200

***PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE USAJOBS ANNOUNCEMENT.***

***This is a senior level position.***

WHAT YOU'LL BE DOING DAY TO DAY

As a Research Microbiologist, you will:

• Lead a clinical service for the rapid detection of drug resistance in infectious pathogens and growth-based drug susceptibility testing.
• Maintain compliance with Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) objectives and regulations; Work closely with supervisors to ensure compliance with Division policies, branch-specific SOPs, and CLIA requirements.
• Develop procedures and manages laboratory methods supporting detection and characterization of infectious pathogens; Work to ensure compliance with branch-specific standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Develop and evaluate new laboratory methods and techniques. Responsible for the development, validation, and application of new techniques.
• Exercise a high degree of competence in evaluating laboratory data; Manage data analysis and quality assurance activities performed by the laboratory team.

This position has 20% supervisory duties-candidates must also have demonstrated or shown the potential to develop the necessary knowledge, skills, and abilities. Applicants should describe any previous experience or responsibilities which could be used in relation to the supervisory requirements of this position.

Qualifications

WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR

Basic Qualifications:

A. Degree: microbiology; or biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included at least 20 semester hours in microbiology and other subjects related to the study of microorganisms, and 20 semester hours in the physical and mathematical sciences combining course work in organic chemistry or biochemistry, physics, and college algebra, or their equivalent.

OR

B. Combination of education and experience: courses equivalent to a major in microbiology, biology, chemistry, or basic medical science that included courses as shown in A above, plus appropriate experience or additional education.

Graduate Education: Microbiology, or specific area of study such as bacteriology, virology, mycology, algology, protozoology, parasitology, immunology, serology, microbial genetics, or soil microbiology; or specific applied fields of microbiology such as clinical and public health microbiology, food tech-nology, production processes, industrial fermentation, pollution, etc. Graduate study in related fields such as experimental pathology, infectious diseases, epidemiology, biochemistry, animal or plant physiology, genetics, plant pathology, and insect disease control, may also be pertinent, provided it has direct application to microbiological work.

Alternate requirement: For GS-14 clinical and public health microbiology positions, certification by the American Board of Medical Microbiology/American Board of Medical Laboratory Immunology, or election to Fellowship in the American Academy of Microbiology fully meets the experience requirement for such positions.

AND

Minimum Qualifications: You must have one year of specialized experience to perform successfully the duties of the position. To be creditable, specialized experience must have been equivalent to at least the GS-13 grade level in the Federal service performing ALL of the following:

• Providing oversight for molecular and growth-based laboratory testing of bacterial pathogens, such as Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex.
• Ensuring compliance with all regulations, such as CLIA, and compliance with other quality and safety regulations and requirements.
• Drafting, reviewing and approving standard operating procedures, associated documents, and reporting formats under a quality management system.
• Overseeing development, modification, and validation of assays for clinical testing, when needed.
• Monitoring test analyses and specimen examinations to ensure that acceptable levels of analytic performance are maintained.