Microbiologist III - Parasitology Lead

University of Wisconsin Madison
$65,000 ANNUAL (12 months)
paid time off
United States, Wisconsin, Madison
21 North Park Street (Show on map)
Feb 03, 2025
Job Summary: The Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene (WSLH) is a public health laboratory whose mission is to improve and protect the human condition by providing accurate and precise testing, service, research, and education. The WSLH vision is to be a global leader in improving quality of life through the advancement of science-based public, environmental and occupational health laboratory practice, and policy. WSLH provides essential laboratory support in accordance with the public health goals of the state and the Wisconsin Division of Health Services (WDHS). Somewhat unique to WSLH is its inclusion in a public university. WSLH resides within the University of Wisconsin-Madison, School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH), and benefits greatly from this valuable partnership. Within WSLH, the Communicable Disease Division (CDD) performs many core functions of a public health laboratory: - Disease prevention, control, and surveillance - Integrated data management - Reference and specialized testing - Food safety - Laboratory improvement and regulation - Policy development - Public health preparedness and response - Training and education - Partnerships and Communication CDD performs over 275 clinical diagnostic and surveillance tests in support of WDHS, Wisconsin clinical laboratories, other state and regional public health laboratories and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). CDD is a national and regional reference center for advanced molecular diagnostics as well as several pathogens of public health concern, such as Influenza, antimicrobial resistant organisms, vaccine-preventable diseases, and gastrointestinal pathogens (bacterial, parasitic, and viral). CDD performs a wide breadth of moderate and high complexity testing and analyses in Bacteriology, Virology, Serology, Mycobacteriology, Parasitology, Bioinformatics, and pre-and post-analytic support units (Customer Service, Specimen Receiving, Data/ Informatics and Clinical Orders). We invite you to become a part of this leading public health laboratory and world-class University with this important position in Parasitology and potentially other areas of CDD. Responsibilities: Performs, develops, evaluates, prepares, validates, and manages 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. 15% 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 and leads procedural laboratory biological risk assessments 5% Serves as a subject matter expert to internal and external stakeholders to develop, perform, interpret, report, implement, and troubleshoot existing and new microbiological tests or assays for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of illnesses or determine sources of contamination in the environment 15% Prepares specimens for scientific examination and analysis of highly complex assays and/or prepares the laboratory for accreditation audits/inspections 5% Develops and conducts biological or environmental research experiments, performs routine quality reviews and root cause or risk analysis, and implements a plan of action to resolve issues 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. May work with vendors in equipment service, troubleshooting and supplier issues 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 5% 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 20% Parasitology Team Leader: Leads monthly team meetings; prepares and administers competency assessments; leads, oversees and summarizes parasitology projects and new test development. 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 in a chemical, biological, clinical or medical laboratory science, or medical technology science from an accredited institution. BS Medical Microbiology, Medical Technology/CLS, Bacteriology or other biological science, required. Applicants must meet CLIA Laboratory Testing Personnel, High Complexity Testing qualifications. An official (or copy of an official) transcript showing conferred degree will be required prior to an offer of employment. For degrees earned outside of the United States, proof of qualification equivalency is required and must be performed by a nationally recognized organization such as the National Association Credential Evaluation Services, Inc. (NACES) (http://www.naces.org) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Inc. (http://www.aice-eval.org). The candidate is responsible for all expenses related to acquiring and providing proof of qualifications. Qualifications: Minimum of five years of clinical laboratory (ten years preferred) and one year of Parasitology laboratory diagnostic experience required (five years Parasitology laboratory diagnostic experience preferred). Public health laboratory experience preferred. Experience with preparation and staining of slides for parasitic examination required. Experience with the diagnosis of human parasites by microscopic analysis required. Experience with high-complexity molecular diagnostic testing required. Knowledge of biological and chemical laboratory safety practices required. Ability to pass Select Agent Certification may be required. 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 Salary: Minimum $65,000 ANNUAL (12 months) Depending on Qualifications Minimum salary is $65,000/year. Actual salary is to be determined upon hire and dependent on qualifications. Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and paid time off; competitive insurances and saving accounts; retirement benefits. Additional Information: 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. A visual color screening test is required prior to an offer of employment. This position may require limited travel as needed, and applicants must be willing to deliver lectures, training, and presentations. Applicants must be available to respond to public health emergencies as they arise, which may include after hours, weekends and holidays. The WSLH a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act (CLIA) certified laboratory, accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP). How to Apply: To begin the application process please click on the "Apply Now" button. You will be asked to upload a current resume/CV, a cover letter briefly describing your qualifications relevant to the position, and a document listing contact information for three (3) references, including at least one supervisor. If you have questions, you may email hrstaff@slh.wisc.edu or call Kelsey Bailey, 608-262-5594. Contact: Kelsey Bailey kelsey.bailey@slh.wisc.edu 608-262-5594 Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information. Official Title: Microbiologist III(HS109) Department(s): A52-WI STATE LAB OF HYGIENE/CDD/MICROBIOLOGY Employment Class: Academic Staff-Renewable Job Number: 311365-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. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, click here 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 may require a criminal background check. It may 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.