Scientist I or II

WSLH seeks a Scientist with expertise in molecular genomics and sequencing technologies to support and expand innovative research and public health surveillance programs focused on monitoring pathogens in wastewater. The person in this position will play a key role in developing and implementing next generation sequencing workflows, including library preparation, targeted enrichment strategies, and sequencing-based pathogen detection. The scientist will contribute to the development of hybrid capture and other targeted sequencing approaches to enhance pathogen detection in complex environmental matrices.

This role will also involve training and mentoring laboratory staff in molecular and sequencing protocols, contributing to the development of standardized procedures, and helping maintain high-quality laboratory workflows through strong organizational practices and documentation.

Across the projects, the scientist will be collaborating with other university researchers, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, and the CDC. This scientist will pursue Federal Competitive Grant Proposals as a PI in collaboration with other researchers at UW-Madison and develop a scholarly publication record based on the research activities in this position at WSLH. Join us in making a significant impact on public health through cutting-edge scientific research and innovation.

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 WSLH 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.

Standard Summary: RE043 Scientist I:

Identifies research problems, designs research methodologies, performs research, and helps to prepare the results for presentation to professional organizations or for scholarly publications to help advance research.

Essential Responsibilities:

• 20% Assists with the identification of research problems and the development of research methodologies and procedures

• 25% Collects and analyzes research data, conducts experiments and interviews, and documents results according to established policies and procedures under general supervision and limited responsibility

• 10% Conducts literature reviews, prepares reports and materials, and disseminates information to appropriate entities

• 5% Attends and assists with the facilitation of scholarly events and presentations in support of continued professional development and the dissemination of research information

• 10% Writes or assists in developing grant applications and proposals to secure research funding

• 10% Serves as a main point of contact and liaison with internal and external stakeholders providing information and representing the interests of a specialized research area

Unique Responsibilities

• 20% Developing and implementing next generation sequencing workflows for wastewater surveillance

Standard Summary: RE044 Scientist II:

Identifies research problems, designs research methodologies, performs research, and prepares and/or presents results for presentation to professional organizations or for scholarly publications to help advance research.

• Job Responsibilities:

• 20% Identifies research problems and develops complex research methodologies and procedures

• 20% Collects and analyzes complex research data, conducts experiments and interviews, and documents results according to established policies and procedures under general supervision

• 10% Conducts literature reviews, prepares reports and materials, and disseminates information to appropriate entities

• 5% Attends and assists with the facilitation of scholarly events and presentations in support of continued professional development and the dissemination of research information

• 5% Writes or assists in developing grant applications and proposals to secure research funding

• 10% May supervise the day-to-day activities of a research unit as needed

• 10% Serves as a unit subject matter expert and liaison to internal and external stakeholders providing advanced level information and representing the interests of a specialized research area

• 0% Monitors program budget and approves unit expenditures

Unique Responsibilities

• 20% Developing and implementing next generation sequencing workflows for wastewater surveillance

• Writes or assists in developing grant applications and proposals to secure research funding 10%

• Developing and implementing next generation sequencing workflows for wastewater surveillance - 20%

• Conducts literature reviews, prepares reports and materials, and disseminates information to appropriate entities - 10%

• Serves as a main point of contact and liaison with internal and external stakeholders providing information and representing the interests of a specialized research area - 10%

• Assists with the identification of research problems and the development of research methodologies and procedures - 20%

• Collects and analyzes research data, conducts experiments and interviews, and documents results according to established policies and procedures under general supervision and limited responsibility - 25%

• Attends and assists with the facilitation of scholarly events and presentations in support of continued professional development and the dissemination of research information - 5%

WSLH - Environmental Health Department - Wastewater Surveillance

• $65,000/year minimum for a Scientist I (Depending on qualifications)

• $75,000/year minimum for a Scientist II (Depending on qualifications

A minimum of 3 years of experience in a professional or academic setting is required. The successful candidate will have extensive experience with molecular biology techniques supporting next-generation sequencing workflows, including nucleic acid extraction, library preparation, targeted enrichment, and sequencing quality control. Experience implementing, developing, or optimizing NGS library preparation protocols is required. Experience with laboratory automation and liquid handling platforms is preferred. The successful candidate will have a record of peer-reviewed publications and demonstrated experience training, mentoring, or supervising junior staff, students, or laboratory personnel in molecular laboratory protocols.

Knowledge:

• Advanced molecular biology techniques supporting sequencing workflows, including nucleic acid extraction, qPCR, and next-generation sequencing library preparation

• Targeted enrichment and hybrid capture techniques

• Operation and troubleshooting of sequencing platforms (e.g. Illumina, Oxford Nanopore, PacBio)

• Bioinformatics approaches for analysis of data sets

• Quality assurance and quality control practices for molecular and sequencing workflows

• Laboratory automation technologies, including liquid handling instruments

Experience:

• Developing, optimizing, or implementing NGS library preparation workflows

• Familiarity with hybrid capture or probe-based enrichment methods

• Training or mentoring laboratory personnel in molecular protocols and laboratory best practices

• Scientific communication including scientific writing (reports, publications, research papers) and oral presentations

• Professional working knowledge of statistical methodologies and tools (e.g., R)

• Linux operating system

• Working with Illumina, Oxford Nanopore, and/or PacBio sequencing platforms

• Experience with laboratory automation, e.g. liquid handling instruments

• Participation in competitive grant applications

Abilities:

• Demonstrated ability to train and mentor junior staff and students in laboratory techniques

• Demonstrated ability to troubleshoot experimental protocols and optimize laboratory workflows

• Work effectively as a team player in a diverse work group

• Excellent communication skills in working with other team members, customers and outside contacts

• Excellent organizational skills with the ability to manage complex laboratory workflows and maintain detailed documentation

Experience applying molecular approaches to environmental samples, including wastewater, is beneficial but not required.

PhD in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Bioinformatics, Environmental Science or related field is required.

An official or copy of an official, transcript will be required prior to an offer of employment. (Applicants with degrees from foreign institutions must have the transcripts evaluated by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services http://www.naces.org/ and the applicant is responsible for all costs associated with that evaluation).

To begin the application process please click on the "Apply Now" button. You will be asked to upload a current resume/CV AND cover letter

briefly describing your qualifications relevant to the position.

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.

The selected applicant will be required to pass a criminal background check prior to an offer of employment.

Please reach out to Dan Makovec at hrstaff@slh.wisc.edu with any questions.

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.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal OpportunityEmployer.

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 backgroundsand encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.

To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodationfor 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.

Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including 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).

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