Microbiologist 2

Online applications must be received before 11:59pm on:

October 4, 2026

If a date is not listed above, review the Applicant Instructions below for more details.

Available Title(s):

515K-YN_CS_NPS - Microbiologist 2

Business Title:

Microbiologist 2

Employee Type:

Classified

Position Details:

The Opportunity:

In this role, you will perform accurate and timely testing across multiple microbiological sub-disciplines, including microbiology (bacteriology, mycology), immunodiagnostics/serology, and molecular diagnostics (PCR), supporting client-centric avian health and food safety surveillance and diagnostic testing. You will be responsible for sample processing, assay execution, troubleshooting, laboratory quality assurance/quality control, test reporting, and participation in assay development. Your work will contribute to the delivery of reliable diagnostic services while maintaining high standards of laboratory performance. To be successful in this position, you must be eligible to work within and have an understanding of BSL-2 laboratory safety guidelines and the associated laboratory work environment.

Additional Information:

This is a fulltime (100% FTE), permanent position. This position is overtime eligible.

Monthly Salary: $5,111 to $6,870 | Range 54 | Successful candidates are typically hired at the beginning of the salary range and receive scheduled salary increment increases in accordance with WAC 357-28.

In accordance with RCW 49.58.110, the above salary reflects the full salary range for this position. Individual placement within the range is based on the candidate’s current experience, education, skills, and abilities related to the position.

Benefits: WSU offers a comprehensive benefits package which includes paid sick and vacation leave; paid holidays; medical, dental, life and disability insurance package for employees and dependents; retirement; deferred compensation, optional supplemental retirement accounts; training and development; and employee tuition waiver. For additional information, please review the detailed Summary of Benefits offered by WSU for Classified staff and Total Compensation.

Required Qualifications:

• A Bachelor’s degree with a major in microbiology or a major in another laboratory science provided that at least 20 semester or 30 quarter credit hours in microbiology are included AND two years of professional experience in a microbiology laboratory. A Master’s degree in one of the aforementioned fields may be substituted for one year of experience. A Ph.D. degree in one of the aforementioned fields may be substituted for two years of experience OR Equivalent education/experience.

• Ability to work Monday through Friday.

• Ability to work rotating Holidays and weekends as necessary.

• Ability to work flexible schedule, if necessary.

• Must not have routine exposure to avian species, including pet birds, or frequent poultry farm visits, due to biosafety regulations/policy/concerns.

• Physical eligibility required for working in a BSL-2 environment. See the following link for more information: Biosafety/Biocontainment Plan Guidance: Provision Requirements | Compliance | Federal Select Agent Program

Preferred Qualifications:

• Advanced degree in microbiology or closely related field of study.

• Work experience with medical or laboratory data base(s).

• Experience handling biological specimens.

• Experience in sterile technique.

• Experience working with zoonotic agents in appropriate biosafety levels.

• Knowledge of infectious diseases.

• Demonstrated skills and knowledge in isolation of DNA/ RNA from tissue and body fluids/samples and use of PCR in identification of microbial agents.

• Demonstrated skills and knowledge to perform primary isolation techniques of microorganisms.

• Experience working with automated lab testing procedures, i.e. ELISA.

• Work experience in a diagnostic laboratory setting.

• Experience working with SOPs and/or a Quality System

• Familiarity with Veterinary Medicine

Position Sponsorship Eligibility: Not eligible for work visa sponsorship

About Department/College/Area/ Campus - College of Veterinary Medicine | Washington State University

Area/College: College of Veterinary Medicine
Department Name: Department WA Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab (WADDL) -- Avian Health & Food Safety Laboratory
Location: WSU-Puyallup

Application Instructions: Applicants must upload the following required documents to their online application. Application materials should clearly communicate how the applicant meets all required qualifications and additional requirements.

1) Resume
2) Cover Letter

External candidates, upload all documents in the “Application Document” section of your application.
Current WSU Employees (internal candidates), before starting your Workday application, please use these instructions to update your education and experience in your worker profile in Workday. Internal candidates, upload all documents in the “Resume/Cover Letter” section of your application.

Documents may be submitted as one file or separate files. Applicants are encouraged to upload as a PDF, if possible.

Reference contact information will be requested later in the recruitment process through Workday.

Background Check: This position has been designated by the department to require a background check because it requires access to children or vulnerable adults as defined by RCW 74.34, engages in law enforcement, requires security clearance, interacts with WSU students in a counseling or advising capacity, has access to personal identifying and/or financial information, unsupervised access to university buildings/property, or other business-related need. A background check will not be completed until an initial determination of qualification for employment has been made.

Time Type:

Full time

Position Term:

12 Month

Washington State University encourages all qualified candidates to apply, including members of the military and veterans, and persons with disabilities.

WSU employs only U.S. citizens and lawfully authorized non-U.S. citizens. All new employees must show employment eligibility verification as required by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.

WSU is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact Human Resource Services: 509-335-4521 (v), Washington State TDD Relay Service: Voice Callers: 1-800-833-6384; TDD Callers: 1-800-833-6388, 509-335-1259(f), or hrs@wsu.edu.

Notice of Non-Discrimination

In matters of admission, employment, housing or services, or in the educational programs or activities it operates, WSU does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual on the basis of sex, race, color, national or ethnic origin, physical disability, mental disability, sensory disability, use of a trained service animal, age, religion, creed, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, honorably discharged veteran, member of the military, or immigration or citizenship status except as authorized by federal or state law, regulation, or government contract.

Inquiries about the application of federal and state laws and regulations (including inquiries regarding the application of Title IX, ADA/Section 504, and implementing regulations), as well as reports and complaints of discrimination and harassment, can be made verbally or in writing to WSU’s Compliance and Civil Rights, the Department of Education’s Office of Civil Rights, or both.

More information, resources, and contact information are available here: https://ccr.wsu.edu/notice-of-nondiscrimination/