Lab Technician

Job Summary:

Chronic wasting disease (CWD) is a prion disease that continues to spread throughout Wisconsin and the nation. It affects deer, elk, reindeer, sika deer, and moose. CWD is fatal to animals and there are no treatments or vaccines. The World Health Organization has recommended that it is essential to keep the agents of all known prion diseases from entering the human food chain. The team at WVDL provides services that diagnose CWD, which helps protect consumers and determine the spread of the disease. With the hunting season fast approaching, WVDL is temporarily increasing the size of its team to accommodate the workload.

Prior experience working in a lab is not required but is helpful. WVDL is willing to train the right candidate to prepare and test for CWD. The responsibilities involve multiple aspects of transmissible spongiform encephalopathies (TSE) diagnostics including performing sample preparation, testing with TSE plate assays, and performing specialized test procedures to analyze specimens for the presence of prion pathogens. Familiarity and experience with tissue handling and preparation techniques, ELISA procedures, histotechnology, and immunohistochemistry are highly valued. In addition, the candidate needs to be a detail-orientated individual who can accurately record and update records and handle administrative and logistical tasks.

Responsibilities:

Performs routine support in a laboratory to support diagnostic or research work. May calibrate and maintain equipment and creates and/or updates records. May handle administrative and logistical tasks.

• 10% Uses, maintains, calibrates, and sets up lab equipment and apparatuses according to established policies and procedures and documents activities
• 75% Coordinates and participates in a variety of routine technical duties by providing assistance to research and/or laboratory staff in testing and experiments
• 5% Performs quality control, acknowledges documents, performs document reviews and/or writes and revises documents as assigned
• 5% Completes and acknowledges trainings
• 5% Sets up, prepares, and cleans laboratory glassware, instruments, equipment, and laboratory work spaces

Tasks:

• Perform procedures related to a TSE screening Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and Immunohistochemistry (IHC) according to Standard Operating Procedures.
• Organize and prepare samples and work logs prior to test performance.
• Perform and verify that all quality control tasks and records are completed.
• Perform routine minor maintenance of laboratory equipment.
• Maintain work area in a clean and orderly condition. Disinfect bench tops, Biosafety Cabinets and instruments routinely.
• Comply with WVDL safety and quality requirements according to Quality and Safety Manuals.

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.

Education:

Required
H.S. Diploma or G.E.D.

Qualifications:

Work Schedule:

Mandatory 4 week training schedule: Monday through Friday at 7:45 am to 4:30 pm starting on 9/9/2024.

Day shift: Monday through Friday starting at 7:45am to 4:30pm

Night shift: Monday through Friday starting at 4:30pm to 1:00am

Additional weekend shifts may also be available with flexible hours.

Work Type:

Full Time: 100%

This position requires work be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location.

Appointment Type, Duration:

Terminal, 5 month appointment.
This position has the possibility to be extended or converted to an ongoing appointment based on need and/or funding

Salary:

Minimum $23.00 HOURLY
Depending on Qualifications
Salary will be assigned within the appropriate range, commensurate with the candidate’s qualifications and experience.

Additional Information:

After the mandatory training period is completed, there will be one day shift (Mon. – Fri. 7:45am to 4:30 pm) and three evening shifts (Mon.-Fri. 4:30 pm to 1:00 am). Additional weekend shifts may also be available with flexible hours.

Free parking is available on-site during the night shift and weekend hours.

This position is expected to be seasonal and end in February 2025; however, there is a possibility of extension based on funding availability, program need and performance. It is also possible that this position will be made renewable based on funding availability, program need and performance.

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 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.

How to Apply:

Contact:

Daniel Barr
[email protected]
608-265-7987
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

Official Title:

Lab Technician(HS059)

Department(s):

A88-WIS VET DIAGNOSTIC LAB/MSN PATH-TOXI/PATHOLOGY

Employment Class:

University Staff-Fixed Term

Job Number:

303258-CJ

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.

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.