Microbiologist Supervisor

This position manages staff for the Wisconsin Wastewater Surveillance Program at the Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene. The person in this position will join our wastewater surveillance team that tracks pathogens in wastewater. This field of science is quickly evolving and has proven valuable for monitoring populations for infectious diseases and providing timely data for making informed decisions to advance public health. In 2020, our team began tracking the SARS-CoV-2 virus in wastewater throughout the State of Wisconsin. We publish SARS-CoV-2 data on public facing dashboards that indicate trends and track variants. We established one of the largest monitoring programs in the country and have been named a National Wastewater Surveillance System Center of Excellence by the CDC. We have expanded the program to monitor additional pathogens including influenza, RSV, norovirus and MPox. We continue to advance this program by expanding the pathogens and antibiotic resistant genes that can be monitored in wastewater.

The Wisconsin Wastewater Surveillance Program is led by a team of Scientists and this Microbiology Supervisor will coordinate and supervise staff conducting routine surveillance and scientific development activities in collaboration with the Science Leads. This includes recruiting staff, training staff or delegate staff training, coordinating with service technicians for equipment repair and maintenance, overseeing quality control processes, and participate in the designing and conducting of new and established methods. The Environmental Biology Lab Director supervises this position.

The employee in this position is expected to use the tools and principles of quality management in performing their daily work including the following: Demonstrate exceptional customer service by establishing and maintaining effective professional relationships with managers, supervisor, coworkers, and all customers. Provide constructive feedback for the purpose of continuous improvement in a manner that is supportive of the State Laboratory of Hygiene and its mission. Use data collection tools as appropriate. Use effective team skills to contribute to the efficient operation of the work unit. Present ideas, carry out assignments, and provide information as required. Participate in continuous learning through professional development activities.

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.

• Directs, develops, and evaluates research methodology, study preparation, and results interpretation - 5%

• Plans and conducts experiments and documents results according to research protocol - 5%

• Develops, performs, and interprets microbiological tests or assays for diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of illnesses or to determine sources of contamination in the environment - 10%

• Recruits employees and conducts employee performance evaluations - 5%

• Identifies, develops, and facilitates unit staff training opportunities - 5%

Maintains Wastewater Surveillance testing program - 20%

• Contributes to the development of microbiology science through professional association conference attendance, presentations, and participation - 5%

• Monitors scientific reporting to ensure compliance with established policies and procedures - 5%

• Oversees schedules of operational work plans for a specialized technical laboratory area - 10%

• Exercises supervisory authority, including hiring, transferring, suspending, promoting, managing conduct and performance, discharging, assigning, rewarding, disciplining, and/or approving hours worked of at least 2.0 full-time equivalent (FTE) employees - 5%

• Schedules logistics and secures resources for microbiology research activities - 10%

• Develops operating policies and laboratory procedures to comply with regulations, institutional policies, and unit objectives to ensure quality control - 10%

• Inspects, maintains, calibrates, and repairs equipment to ensure optimal and safe operation - 5%

EHD - A524021

$75,000/year minimum (Depending on qualifications)

Demonstrated ability to effectively mentor and train people in lab work required.

Knowledge and Skills:

1) Individual must have excellent team leadership skills.

2) The individual must be well organized, detail-oriented, self-motivated and have excellent customer service skills.

3) Works well in a respectful, productive team-based environment. Individual must possess excellent written and oral communication skills and be proficient with team-based software applications

4) Knowledge of overall laboratory operations, standard good laboratory practices, robust QA/QC procedures and laboratory safety.

5) Knowledge of viruses, bacteria, parasites and potential emerging pathogens present in environmental sources.

6) Knowledge and/or understanding of:

a) Pathogen concentration techniques from environmental samples

b) Nucleic acid extraction techniques

c) Design and development of quantitative digital PCR, and/or multiplex assays

d) NGS methodologies in DNA and RNA sequencing

e) Proficiency with PCR data analysis

Preferred Qualifications:

1) Candidates with experience in wastewater surveillance preferred.

2) Experience with molecular testing including PCR and sequencing of environmental samples preferred.

3) Knowledge and experience using Laboratory Information Management systems (LIMs) preferred.

Bachelor's Degree in Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Environmental Sciences or related field.

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 Dan Makovec, 608-890-1011.

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

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, 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 by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgrounds 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.

To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodation for any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR) in the division you are applying to. Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.