Laboratory Manager

Job Summary:

This multi-functional lab manager position housed within the Department of Plant Pathology UW-Madison College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) provides support to the Wisconsin Seed Potato Certification Program (WSPCP). The position is responsible for providing leadership and research support in the program's tissue culture and diagnostic laboratory, specifically managing the program's tissue culture collection, sourcing plantlets for greenhouse production, and performing diagnostic assays to fulfill state certification requirements. The tissue culture laboratory is located off campus in the Wisconsin Crop Innovation Center, while the diagnostic laboratory is located on campus in Russell Laboratories. The WSPCP, established in 1913, focuses on providing high quality, healthy seed potato stock without varietal mixture and aids Wisconsin Seed potato growers to ensure seed potato stock continues to be of high quality and without varietal mixture.

The incumbent oversees and performs introduction, testing, maintenance, and multiplication of the programs' extensive potato tissue culture collection. In addition, the position support diagnostic testing of potato tissue to test for various pathogens, along with diagnostic development to ensure all regulated or pathogens of concern are monitored, and information is provided to seed potato growers as required by certification standards. Assistance will also be provided as needed with greenhouse production peaks, which consists of planting potato stock, harvesting, minituber sorting, and facility sanitation.

The incumbent is also responsible for supervising, training, and working alongside laboratory employees to ensure laboratory tasks are completed correctly, and in a timely manner.

The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) is committed to maintaining and growing a culture that embraces diversity, inclusion, and equity, believing that these values are foundational elements of our excellence and fundamental components of a positive and enriching learning and working environment for all students, faculty, and staff. At CALS, we acknowledge that bias, prejudice, racism, and hate have historically occurred in many forms that cause significant and lasting harm to members of our community. We commit to taking actions each day toward a college that is inclusive and welcoming to all.

Responsibilities:

Directs the technical activities, operations, planning, and policy development of a lab, including coordinating the activities of multiple, complex projects and staff to ensure quality control and compliance with regulations.

• 10% Identifies, proposes, and implements new or revised unit operational policies and procedures in alignment with strategic initiatives and objectives
• 10% Serves as the unit liaison to internal and external stakeholder groups providing information, making recommendations to leadership, and representing the interests of the unit
• 30% Directs and supervises the day-to-day laboratory operations, quality control programs, and/or staff of a work unit to ensure compliance with organization and regulatory agency standards
• 5% Monitors program budgets and expenditures
• 10% May exercise 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 FTE or equivalent employees
• 15% Develops and facilitates trainings regarding scientific experimentation, technical procedures, and equipment operations to various audiences
• 5% Assist with potato hydroponic production in the program greenhouse facilities.
• 15% Perform molecular diagnostic testing as needed to fulfill Wisconsin seed potato certification regulations.

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.

For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: Diversity and Inclusion

Education:

Required

Bachelor's Degree

Horticulture, Plant Pathology, Entomology, or other relevant fields.

Qualifications:

Required

• Experience working in laboratory and greenhouse setting.

• Knowledge of potato micropropagation.

• Experience performing molecular diagnostic techniques such as extraction, IC-PCR, PCR, and ELISA.

• Ability to oversee and perform research projects.

Preferred

• Greenhouse hydroponic experience.

• Experience supervising individuals in a laboratory setting

• Ability to interact and work with a diverse clientele.

• Familiar with Microsoft office, SAS, R, and CFX Maestro.

License/Certification:

Required

Drivers License

• Valid and Meets UW Risk Management Standards

Work Type:

Full Time: 100%

It is anticipated this position requires work be performed in-person, onsite, at a designated campus work location.

Appointment Type, Duration:

Ongoing/Renewable

Salary:

Minimum $65,449 ANNUAL (12 months)

Depending on Qualifications

Final salary will depend on experience and qualifications. Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and paid time off; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. Additional benefits information can be found at: https://www.wisconsin.edu/ohrwd/benefits/download/univstaff.pdf

Additional Information:

• Criminal Background Check may be required

• Evaluation Period may be required

• Ability to lift and carry up to 50 lbs required.

• Driving authorization is required: Applicants must become an approved UW-Madison driver through UW-Madison's driver authorization process. This requires meeting established driver authorization criteria listed at: https://businessservices.wisc.edu/managing-risk/driver-authorization-and-insurance/driver-authorization/

• Work Authorization: The successful applicant will be responsible for ensuring eligibility for employment in the United States by the start of the appointment. University sponsorship is not available for this position.

How to Apply:

Click on the "Apply Online" button to start the application process. You will be prompted to upload the following documents/Application Materials:

Resume

• Detail your educational and professional background

Cover letter

• Refer to your related work experience

References

• List contact information for three (3) references, including your current/most recent supervisor. References will not be contacted without prior notice.

It's important that your cover letter and resume reflect your experience for this position related to the Qualifications section. Your application materials will be used during our evaluation to determine your qualifications as they relate to the job. The most qualified applicants will be invited to participate in the next step of the selection process.

Contact:

Candice Butler

candice.butler@wisc.edu

608-890-2895

Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. See RELAY_SERVICE for further information.

Official Title:

Laboratory Manager(RE032)

Department(s):

A07-COL OF AG & LIFE SCIENCES/PLANT PATHOLOGY/POTATO OP

Employment Class:

Academic Staff-Renewable

Job Number:

301659-AS

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. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, click here

If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request at the following website: https://employeedisabilities.wisc.edu/disability-accommodation-information-for-applicants/

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.