Microbiologist I or II

University of Wisconsin Madison•Madison, WI

10d•$51,000 - $57,000•Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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

Nice To Haves

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
One year of laboratory experience preferred.
advanced degree preferred

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%