Microbiologist

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Job Category:

Academic Staff

Employment Type:

Regular

Job Profile:

Microbiologist I

Job Summary:

The Water Microbiology Department within the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH) is seeking a Microbiologist I or II. WSLH is part of the UW School of Medicine and Public Health at UW–Madison and serves as the state’s primary public, environmental, and occupational health laboratory. Founded in 1903, WSLH advances public and environmental health while carrying forward the Wisconsin Idea. This position alternates duties weekly between the Water Microbiology Department and the Media Department.  

As a part of the Water Microbiology department, this position performs routine and specialized analyses on drinking and surface water samples to protect public health and support water quality.  Routine testing under the Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act involves testing samples for total coliforms and E. coli using enzymatic methods, with results logged and reported through a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS). Specialized analyses include culture techniques, microscopy, molecular methods, and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry.  In the Media department, the incumbent’s role will be to prepare culture media for various departments throughout the organization, including both our environmental and clinical sections.  Both roles require that the employee aseptically handle samples following established procedures, keep accurate records, and perform quality control and assurance procedures to ensure regulatory and accreditation compliance.

This position resides within the Environmental Health Division of the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH) and is located at 2601 Agriculture Drive, Madison, WI 53718. Primary work hours are generally 8:00 A.M. to 4:45 P.M., Monday through Friday but start and end times can be flexible. There will be weekend and possible holiday work on a rotational basis with the weekend/holiday work comprising of approximately 2-3 hours one Saturday every 4-6 weeks.

Key Job Responsibilities:

• Performs, interprets, and reports microbiological tests or assays for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of illnesses or determine sources of contamination in the environment - 20%

• Prepare media for the various departments of the WSLH - 20%

• Communicates with internal and external stakeholders as needed - 10%

• Prepares specimens for scientific examination and analysis and/or prepares the laboratory for accreditation audits/inspections - 10%

• Conducts biological research experiments employing quality control and quality assurance practices and adhering to regulatory standards and requirements - 5%

• Operates and maintains laboratory instrumentation and information management systems - 5%

• Isolates and maintains cultures of microorganisms from specimens and samples for identification and classification - 5%

• Supports and/or trains new employees, students, and other professional colleagues - 5%

• Participates in educational and outreach activities and other professional development - 5%

• Prepares, reviews, verifies, and reports test result data - 10%

• Propagates and maintains cell lines and cultures for microorganism isolation or assay procedures - 5%

Department:

WSLH - Environmental Health Division - Water Microbiology

Compensation:

Minimum salary below but actual salary is to be determined upon hire and dependent on qualifications:

Microbiologist I: UW-Madison Salary Grade 19 - Minimum Salary of 51,000/year

Microbiologist II: UW-Madison Salary Grade 20 - Minimum Salary of $57,000/year

Required Qualifications:

• Successfully complete color screening test

• Be able to lift 20 lbs

• Perform weekend and Holiday work on a rotational basis, approximately one Saturday each 4-6 weeks.  Weekend schedules are generally flexible and can be adjusted to accommodate personal engagements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Safe laboratory principles and practices

• Theory and practice of laboratory QA/QC

• Aseptic techniques including sterility checks and sterilization techniques, such as autoclaving

• Procedures used to identify bacteria important to environmental and drinking water samples

• Computer use for LIMS, Microsoft office applications

• Effective communication skills

• Ability to maintain accurate and organized records

• Exceptional interpersonal, team and customer service skills

Education:

Microbiologist I: Bachelor’s Degree in Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Environmental Science or related field required. One year of laboratory experience preferred.

Microbiologist II: Bachelor’s Degree required (advanced degree preferred) in Biology, Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Environmental Science or related field. At least three years of laboratory experience or advanced degree with microbiological techniques experience required.

How to Apply:

To begin the application process please click on the "Apply Now" button. You will need to upload the following documents:

1. A current resume.
2. A cover letter that addresses your qualifications, knowledge, skills, and abilities, or a past experience that would support your success in the role.

Please note that there is only one attachment field. You must upload all your documents into the one attachment field.

Application reviewers will evaluate the materials you submit (your resume and cover letter) to identify qualified applicants who will advance in the recruitment process. Please ensure that your application is complete and submitted by the deadline (“apply by “date at the top of the posting) to be considered for this position.

WSLH does not sponsor work visas at the time of hire or anytime during employment for this position. All persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and complete the required Employment Eligibility Form I-9.

The selected applicant will be required to pass a criminal background check prior to an offer of employment.

Contact Information:

Please reach out to Dan Makovec at [email protected] with any questions.

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.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, 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 by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds and encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.

To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including 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). 
 
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