Microbiologist

Job Summary:

Diagnostic microbiology has a major impact on animal health, disease prevention and control, and treatment methods. The Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory's (WVDL) mission is to promote animal and human health and the vitality of the State and National agricultural economy through the delivery of high-quality veterinary diagnostics and exemplary customer service.
This job opening is for the Serology section at WVDL, which is situated in Madison, Wisconsin. The ideal candidate will work collaboratively with a team and function as a microbiologist. The role involves conduction serological assays for various diseases using Complement Fixation (CF), Agar Gel Immunodiffusion Test (AGID), Standard Tube Test, Card, Leptospira Microagglutination Test (Lepto-MAT), and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). They will also be responsible for maintaining cultures, transferring live Leptospira for use in Microagglutination Test (MAT), ensuring quality assurance/control standards, and completing other assigned duties.

Responsibilities:
Performs 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
• 25% Performs, interprets, and reports microbiological tests or assays for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of illnesses or determine sources of contamination in the environment
• 20% Prepares specimens for scientific examination and analysis and/or prepares the laboratory for accreditation audits/inspections
• 5% Conducts biological research experiments employing quality control and quality assurance practices and adhering to regulatory standards and requirements
• 10% Operates and maintains laboratory instrumentation and information management systems
• 10% Prepares, reviews, verifies, and reports test result data
• 5% Prepares technical reports
• 5% Communicates with internal and external stakeholders as needed
• 5% Supports and/or trains new employees, students, and other professional colleagues
• 5% Participates in educational and outreach activities and other professional development

Tasks:

• Perform serological assays for various diseases using CF, AGID, Standard Tube Test, Card, Lepto-MAT (5), ELISA., Maintain culture of and transfer of live Leptospira for use in MAT.
• Pass annual proficiency tests as required, update quality control charts appropriate for testing being performed and track serology samples and paperwork for testing with LIMS and other systems in a timely manner and following SOPs.
• Store case records as defined by SOPs, prepare samples for referral, and perform QC on commercial media as required and document on appropriate log.
• Comply with WVDL safety and quality requirements (see Quality and Safety manuals)
• Perform new test development as needed, perform methods comparisons as needed, maintain sample archive samples and records, perform retrospective data analysis, and contact clients for sample acquisition for archive and research purposes.
• Perform/acknowledge document reviews, write/revise SOPs, perform equipment duties, monitor assay controls, perform/maintain quality control records, initiate RAWs, participate in CAR & PAR activities & and problem solve for improvement processes.

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 biology, microbiology, or related field of study.

Qualifications:

PREFERRED:
Previous work in a diagnostic laboratory setting, ELISAs, LeptoMAT, Complement Fixations, AGIDs, and/or Quality Assurance

Work Type:

Full Time: 100%
It is anticipated this position requires work be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location. Typical business hours are between 7:45am - 4:30pm, M-F.

Appointment Type, Duration:

Ongoing/Renewable

Salary:

Minimum $49,386 ANNUAL (12 months)
Depending on Qualifications
Salary will be assigned within the appropriate range, commensurate with the candidate's qualifications and experience. Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and sick leave; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. Benefits information can be found at ( https://hr.wisc.edu/benefits/ )

Additional Information:

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.

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.
Start date is on or after March 4, 2024.

How to Apply:

To ensure consideration, completed applications must be received by 11:55 pm CDT, on February 20, 2024. Review of applications will begin immediately after the posted deadline.
The following documents need to be submitted:
- Resume
- A cover letter briefly describing your qualifications and experience.
- List of three professional references including one current or recent supervisor.
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).

Contact:

Melissa Lund
[email protected]
608-262-5432
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

Official Title:

Microbiologist I(HS052)

Department(s):

A88-WIS VET DIAGNOSTIC LAB/MSN MICROBIOL/BACT SRLGY

Employment Class:

Academic Staff-Renewable

Job Number:

293616-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 .