Job Summary:
The Wisconsin Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory (WVDL) is currently seeking a microbiologist to join their team in Madison, WI. The work at WVDL plays a significant role in animal health, disease prevention and control, and treatment methods. The mission of WVDL is to deliver high-quality veterinary diagnostics and exemplary customer service to promote animal and public health and the vitality of the State and National agricultural economy.
This veterinary diagnostic microbiologist position will work within the Bacteriology section. The primary responsibilities of the role include: making laboratory media, performing Johne's disease liquid culture, performing bacterial, fungal culture and identification, parasite identification, quality assurance/quality control, and other duties. The candidate will work in a team of nine microbiologists in a highly collaborative, productive, and investigative laboratory environment.
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.
• 10% 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
• 25% 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
• 5% Operates and maintains laboratory instrumentation and information management systems
• 5% 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:
• Analyze animal specimens for presence of pathogenic bacteria: setup cultures from vet samples, isolate bacteria and prepare for identification systems, record information on tests performed and organisms isolated, interpret and report results, etc.
• Prepare laboratory media according to standard operating procedures: maintain quality controls (QC) records, clean room status, troubleshoot and schedule routine maintenance for equipment, ensure adequate supply of media ready for use.
• Perform Johne's disease liquid culture: perform testing and report results according to standard operating procedures, complete proficiency tests, maintain supplies, perform QC, maintain equipment, aliquot samples for PCR confirmation.
• 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 quality/safety duties as required: write/revise SOPs, acknowledge documents, complete trainings, perform equipment calibrations, PM, cleanings, monitor controls, initiate and participate in corrective actions, wear PPE, etc.
• Perform other duties as assigned: maintain clean workspace, provide guidance to ensure work duties are covered in lab, provide technical advice, prepare samples for referral, participate in assay and equipment improvements, etc.
• Comply with WVDL safety and quality requirements: see Quality and Safety manuals.
• Report testing results and information into LIMS and other information systems.
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
Strongly preferred in biology, microbiology or related life science field.
Qualifications:
The ability to distinguish color for assay/test interpretation and reporting is required with or without reasonable accommodation(s). An assessment will be require for the final candidate(s).
Previous experience working in a laboratory environment is preferred.
Work Type:
Full Time: 100%
It is anticipated this position requires work be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location. Business hours are between 7:45am - 4:30pm M-F.
Appointment Type, Duration:
Ongoing/Renewable
Salary:
Minimum $49,367 ANNUAL (12 months)
Depending on Qualifications
Minimum $49,367 ANNUAL (12 MONTHS)
Salary will be assigned within the appropriate range, commensurate with the candidate's qualifications and experience.
This position offers a comprehensive benefits package, including generous paid time off, competitively priced health/dental/vision/life insurance, tax-advantaged savings accounts, and participation in the nationally recognized Wisconsin Retirement System (WRS) pension fund. For a summary of benefits, please reference: https//www.wisconsinedu/ohrwd/benefits/download/fasl.pdf.
Additional Information:
Please note that successful applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship, on or before the effective date of appointment. University sponsorship is not available for this position.
The ability to distinguish color for assay/test interpretation and reporting is required with or without reasonable accommodation(s). An assessment will be require for the final candidate(s).
The WVDL is dedicated to fostering a healthy work environment that emphasizes mutual respect, integrity, trust, and accountability. Because of our core values, WVDL seeks to recruit, retain, and develop talented team members to help contribute to WVDL's ability to continue setting high standards for excellence in our field of expertise.
WVDL Website: https://www.wvdl.wisc.edu/
University of Wisconsin-Madison: https://www.wisc.edu/about/ & https://transportation.wisc.edu/
Transportation Services: https://transportation.wisc.edu/commuter-solutions/
City of Madison: https://www.cityofmadison.com/
How to Apply:
To apply for this position, please click on the "Apply Now" button. Review of applications will begin on or after August 4, 2024 and will continue until the position is filled. The deadline for assuring full consideration is August 4, 2024.
The following documents need to be submitted:
- Resume
- A cover letter describing your qualifications for the position.
Contact:
Beth Angell
bangell@wisc.edu
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 MICROBIOLOGY/BACT
Employment Class:
Academic Staff-Renewable
Job Number:
302659-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.
Madison WI United States