Job Description

Job Summary
This recruitment will be used to fill one full-time Microbiologist 1 position for the Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory in the Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine at Oregon State University (OSU).

The Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine provides veterinary professional and graduate programs leading to the DVM and MS degrees, and operates the Lois Bates Acheson Veterinary Teaching Hospital and Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. The College employs approximately 200 faculty and staff, plus student workers.

The Oregon Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory is an integral part of the Carlson College of Veterinary Medicine and provides diagnostic services for the college, practicing veterinarians in the state and region, wildlife officials, and livestock, poultry and pet owners. The purpose of this position is to assist this diagnostic service by performing a variety of parasitology and bacteriological laboratory tests. This is an integrated microbiology laboratory and includes diagnostics in bacteriology, mycology, and parasitology. As with all members of the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, this individual will be expected to behave in a professional and collegial manner that respects diversity.
Why OSU?
Working for Oregon State University is so much more than a job!

Oregon State University is a dynamic community of dreamers, doers, problem-solvers and change-makers. We don’t wait for challenges to present themselves — we seek them out and take them on. We welcome students, faculty and staff from every background and perspective into a community where everyone feels seen and heard. We have deep-rooted mindfulness for the natural world and all who depend on it, and together, we apply knowledge, tools and skills to build a better future for all.

FACTS:

• Top 1.4% university in the world
• More research funding than all public universities in Oregon combined
• 1 of 3 land, sea, space and sun grant universities in the U.S.
• 2 campuses, 11 colleges, 12 experiment stations, and Extension programs in all 36 counties
• 7 cultural resource centers that offer education, celebration and belonging for everyone
• 100+ undergraduate degree programs, 80+ graduate degrees plus hundreds of minor options and certificates
• 35k+ students including more than 2.3k international students and 10k students of color
• 217k+ alumni worldwide
• For more interesting facts about OSU visit: https://oregonstate.edu/about

Locations:

Oregon State has a statewide presence with campuses in Corvallis and Bend, the OSU Portland Center and the Hatfield Marine Science Center on the Pacific Coast in Newport.

Oregon State’s beautiful, historic and state-of-the-art main campus is located in one of America’s best college towns. Corvallis is located close to the Pacific Ocean, the Cascade mountains and Oregon wine country. Nestled in the heart of the Willamette Valley, this beautiful city offers miles of mountain biking and hiking trails, a river perfect for boating or kayaking and an eclectic downtown featuring local cuisine, popular events and performances.

Total Rewards Package:

Oregon State University offers a comprehensive benefits package with benefits eligible positions that is designed to meet the needs of employees and their families including:
• Medical, Dental, Vision and Basic Life. OSU pays 95% of premiums for you and your eligible dependents.
• Free confidential mental health and emotional support services, and counseling resources.
• Retirement savings paid by the university.
• A generous paid leave package, including holidays, vacation and sick leave.
• Tuition reduction benefits for you or your qualifying dependents at OSU or the additional six Oregon Public Universities.
• Robust Work Life programs including Dual Career assistance resources, flexible work arrangements, a Family Resource Center, Affinity Groups and an Employee Assistance Program.

Future and current OSU employees can use the Benefits Calculator to learn more about the full value of the benefits provided at OSU.
Key Responsibilities
70% – Bacteriology and Parasitology
Determines correct procedure for set-up and culture processing of diagnostic samples (swabs, fluids, necropsy tissues etc.) based on laboratory Standard Operating Procedures (SOP’s). Organizes media, supplies and reagents needed for cultures and stains. Performs standard testing for identification of aerobic/anaerobic bacteria or fungi and antimicrobial sensitivity testing and makes routine correlations following guidelines specified in standard operating procedures. Notifies supervisor immediately in cases of regulatory reportable, noteworthy, or unusual results. Enters results in laboratory information system and reviews results for accuracy. Performs various parasitological concentration, staining and identification techniques according to laboratory SOP’s and references. Participates in proficiency testing. Manages student assistant activities as needed.

15% – Quality Control
Keeps accurate laboratory records detailing quality control procedures. Maintains supplies and equipment inventories, and performs miscellaneous cleaning and disinfection duties. Monitors quality control activities of the laboratory to determine conformance with authorized policies and procedures and with sound practice including trend analyses. Makes appropriate recommendations for correction and improvement as may be necessary. Develops, reviews and updates SOPs used in the laboratory in a timely manner.

10% – Media preparation and inventory
Takes inventory and requisitions supplies, with supervisor’s approval, of most of the commercial media used in the microbiological lab. Keeps records on all media quality control submitted by the commercial source. Makes specialized media and buffers as needed.

5% – Professional Training
Maintains current knowledge within discipline, continually develops and advances the skills required to keep the laboratory running smoothly (including in the absence of other lab members), and participates in continued improvement of the laboratory through continuing education and training. This training may include, but is not limited to: development of proficiency at new tests; attendance of seminars, webinars and other available events; inter-laboratory proficiency testing; scientific meetings. Documents training in accordance with VDL quality assurance requirements.

Performs other tasks as requested by supervisor and according to the needs of the laboratory.

Cross-trains on tasks within the laboratory.
What We Require
A Bachelor’s degree with advanced courses in Bacteriology, Chemistry, and/or other biological fields which shows knowledge of microbiology theory, principles, and practices and laboratory procedures, equipment, and instruments; OR An equivalent combination of training and experience.

What You Will Need
Possesses sufficient organizational skills to multi-task effectively in a dynamic fast-paced environment with minimal supervision.
Demonstrated punctuality, attendance, and adherence to scheduled work hours.
Excellent in-person and remote written and oral communication.
Demonstrated collegial relationship among colleagues.

This position is designated as a critical or security-sensitive position; therefore, the incumbent must successfully complete a criminal history check and be determined to be position qualified as per University Standard: 05-010 et seq. Incumbents are required to self-report convictions and those in youth programs may have additional criminal history checks every 24 months.
What We Would Like You to Have
Documented proficiency in performing classical microscopic and biochemical identification of bacteria and antibiotic sensitivity testing and used of laboratory equipment (e.g. microscopes, pipettors, centrifuges, biological safety cabinet etc.).
Demonstrated ability to work quickly with accuracy and precision.
Demonstrated ability to multi-task effectively in a dynamic environment.
At least one year of experience in a classical bacteriology/parasitology laboratory including experience performing antibiotic sensitivity testing using the disc-diffusion (Kirby-Bauer) method and the BIOMIC V3 reader.
Experience with setting and reading a Gram stain.
Experience with a laboratory information management system (LIMS).
A demonstrable commitment to promoting and enhancing diversity.
Working Conditions / Work Schedule
This position is a 40 hour per week position that is typically worked Monday through Friday. However, approximately twice monthly this position will require an alternative schedule which includes working on Saturdays and holidays. Occasional overtime hours required.
Requires working in a biological safety cabinet with clinical specimens and unknown cultures and will include zoonotic pathogens. Live flame sterilization techniques are used. Odors from dead animals and animal treatments are common in the building.
Position requires working with toxic chemicals including formaldehyde.
To minimize risk to the employee, Oregon State University offers a rabies vaccination at the employer’s expense (acceptance/declination at the discretion of the appointee).