Microbiologist II Team Lead

Salary:

Minimum $62,000 ANNUAL (12 months)
Depending on Qualifications
Salary will be assigned within the appropriate range, commensurate with the candidate's qualifications and experience. A benefits package is also included.

Job Summary:

This position is in the Bacteriology section of the Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory- Madison. Under limited supervision, the employee in this position functions as a Team Lead within a team of nine microbiologists. The employee in this position should demonstrate superior communication, teamwork, management, leadership, training and planning skills. The employee will function as a microbiologist by performing bacterial, fungal, and parasite identification, quality assurance/quality control, and other duties. Duties of the position include, but are not limited to: lead training of bacteriology staff, performance of diagnostic testing, participation in ongoing quality improvement/quality assurance activities, assist with testing needs, troubleshoot diagnostic assays, act as a primary contact for other sections and clients. This position works under the general supervision of the bacteriology supervisor and the scientific supervision of the Microbiology/Bacteriology Section Head.

Responsibilities: 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.

• 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
• 15% 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
• 5% Develops and conducts biological research experiments employing quality control and quality assurance practices and adhering to regulatory standards and requirements
• 5% Operates, maintains, and troubleshoots laboratory instrumentation and information management systems
• 5% 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
• 15% 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
• 15% Adheres to WVDL Team Lead responsibilities

Tasks:

• Analyze animal specimens for presence of pathogenic bacteria: set up cultures from veterinary samples, isolate bacteria and prepare for identification systems, record information on tests performed and organisms isolated, interpret and report results
• Perform specialized test procedures: read and report Tritrichomonas samples, perform antimicrobial susceptibility testing, culture for anaerobic, fastidious and other specialized organisms, perform identification of bacteria using Maldi-TOF, etc.
• Examine specimens for the presence on internal and external parasites: perform parasitology procedures from feces, hair, skin, etc., examine preparations with microscope, identify parasites and report results
• Perform section wide duties: maintain QC strains in lab, order supplies, participate in projects, work on teams or committees, provide technical advice, train staff, etc.
• Perform other duties as assigned: maintain clean workspace, provide guidance to ensure work duties are covered in lab, provide technical advice, prepare sample for referral, participate in assay and equipment improvements, etc.
• Perform quality and safety duties as required and assigned: write/revise SOPs, acknowledge documents, complete trainings, perform equipment calibrations, PM, cleanings, monitor controls, initiate and participate in corrective actions, wear PPE, etc.
• Report testing results and information into LIMS and other information systems
• Comply with WVDL safety and quality requirements (see Quality and Safety manuals)
• Review, interpret, and apply CLSI guidelines for antimicrobial stewardship
• Maintain QC strains for the section

Institutional Statement on Diversity:

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion

Education:

Required
Bachelor's Degree

Degree in bacteriology, microbiology, medical microbiology, or other biological science strongly preferred.

Qualifications:

Minimum seven (7) years of laboratory experience (10 years preferred), which includes a minimum of five (5) years of diagnostic or clinical laboratory experience. Experience in teaching/training bacteriology required. Experience with diagnostic bacteriology testing required. Veterinary diagnostic or clinical laboratory experience preferred. Experience with antimicrobial resistance detection and antimicrobial susceptibility testing preferred.

License/Certification:

Preferred
MLT - Medical Lab Technician Certification

Preferred
ASCP - Medical Technologist

Preferred
CLS - Clinical Laboratory Scientist

Work Type:

Full Time: 100%

It is anticipated this position requires work be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location.

Appointment Type, Duration:

Ongoing/Renewable

Additional Information:

In addition to required Bachelor's Degree, certifications are also valued (not required): MLT, MT, ASCP, CLS, CLT.

The ability to pass a visual color screening test is required. Ability to complete some repetitive tasks, such as streaking plates is also required

How to Apply:

Anticipated start date on or after July 3, 2023.

Successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.

To ensure consideration, complete applications must be received by no later than 11:55pm CDT, on the assured consideration date. To apply, please complete the online application process and attach a cover letter referencing your qualifications and experience, a resume as well as the current contact information for three professional references including one current or former supervisor. All application materials will be reviewed by our search committee after the posted deadline. Applicants selected to participate further in the selection process will be notified directly. All applicants will be notified once a final selection has been made and the search has been completed.

NOTE: Unless confidentiality is requested in your online application, information regarding the names of applicants must be released upon request. Finalists cannot be guaranteed confidentiality.

Special Note: UW-Madison conducts criminal background checks for final candidate(s).

The WVDL is committed to providing an environment of mutual respect, integrity, trust and accountability where employment is decided on the basis of qualifications, merit and business need. The WVDL believes that diversity and inclusion among our teammates is critical to our success as a lab, and we seek to recruit, develop and retain the most talented people from a diverse candidate pool. We strive for continuous improvement by setting our goals high and expecting high standards using our core values.

UW-Madison is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.

Contact:

Beth Angell
bangell@wisc.edu
608-262-5432
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

Official Title:

Microbiologist II(HS108)

Department(s):

A88-WIS VET DIAGNOSTIC LAB/MSN MICROBIOLOGY/BACT

Employment Class:

Academic Staff-Renewable

Job Number:

280350-AS

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence through diversity and encourage all qualified individuals to apply.

If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request at the following website: https://employeedisabilities.wisc.edu/disability-accommodation-information-for-applicants/

Employment will require a criminal background check. It will also require you and your references to answer questions regarding sexual violence and sexual harassment.

The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).

The Annual Security and Fire Safety Report contains current campus safety and disciplinary policies, crime statistics for the previous 3 calendar years, and on-campus student housing fire safety policies and fire statistics for the previous 3 calendar years. UW-Madison will provide a paper copy upon request; please contact the University of Wisconsin Police Department .