Microbiologist

Veterans Health Administration • Madison, WI

6d • Onsite

About The Position

This position is in the Research Service at the William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital (Madison VA), part of the VA Great Lakes Health Care System. The Research Service supports collaborative research intended to improve Veterans’ health and outcomes through scientific investigation, quality data collection, and sound laboratory methodology. The Microbiologist supports clinical trials and basic science research projects in a microbiology laboratory. This is not a virtual position; the employee must live within or be willing to relocate within a commutable distance of the duty location. The appointment is a term appointment not to exceed three years. Term appointments are limited-duration, nonpermanent appointments and may be extended without further competition up to a four-year maximum. The role includes preparing samples for sequencing, conducting and designing experiments, maintaining laboratory equipment and inventory, analyzing and presenting research data, and contributing to the development and troubleshooting of microbiological methods. The work schedule is Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Applicants tentatively selected for this designated drug-testing position must undergo urinalysis before appointment. Employees must participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program and serve a one-year probationary period.

Requirements

• U.S. citizenship is required.
• A four-year bachelor's or higher degree with a major in microbiology, bacteriology, biology, or chemistry, including at least 30 semester hours in biological science and 20 semester hours in physical and mathematical sciences, with the specified microbiology, chemistry or biochemistry, physics, and college algebra coursework.
• For the GS-9 level, at least two years of professional experience in a microbiological science demonstrating general or specialized microbiology knowledge, ability to apply required methodology, and ability to work independently; alternatively, qualifying graduate education or an eligible combination of graduate education and specialized experience may be used.
• Specialized experience includes conducting and designing microbiological research experiments; operating and maintaining microbiology laboratory equipment and inventory; reviewing, analyzing, and reporting microbiological data; and participating in microbiological methodology development.
• Submit transcripts if relying on education to meet qualification requirements; foreign education requires a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with the transcript.
• Complete the application, questionnaire, and required online assessment.
• Register for Selective Service if applicable to males born after December 31, 1959.
• Complete a background/security investigation and online onboarding; provide acceptable identification for employment verification.
• Complete pre-employment urinalysis for the designated drug-testing position; refusal or a verified positive result prevents appointment.
• Participate in the seasonal influenza vaccination program.
• Serve a one-year probationary period.
• Be able to perform laboratory work involving periods of standing, some lifting, and manual dexterity.

Responsibilities

• Prepare microbial and clinical samples for downstream sequencing, preserving sample integrity and following protocol-specific handling requirements.
• Design and perform in vitro microbiological experiments using appropriate established techniques to address assigned research questions.
• Collect, record, and monitor microbiological experimental data and test results; identify anomalies or deviations and escalate precedent-setting issues to the lab manager or Principal Investigator.
• Perform ongoing quality-control checks on microbiology laboratory equipment to support microorganism isolation, identification, and characterization and ensure data integrity.
• Track microbiological media, reagent, and supply inventory and coordinate replenishment orders with the lab manager.
• Summarize microbiological data in tables and graphs suitable for scientific presentation.
• Present study progress and results at project-specific meetings to update Principal Investigators and the laboratory team.
• Participate in developing, interpreting, and implementing microbiological research methodology and materials.
• Adapt published microbiological methodologies for laboratory use and consult instrument manuals and scientific literature to develop and troubleshoot experimental methods for microorganism isolation, identification, and characterization.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

• Term employees are eligible to earn leave and generally receive benefits comparable to permanent employees, including health and life insurance, within-grade increases, Federal Employees Retirement System coverage, and Thrift Savings Plan coverage.
• A comprehensive federal employee benefits package is available; eligibility depends on position type.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level