<p>Job Title: Associate Microbiologist - USP Lab</p> <p>Job Description</p> <p>We are seeking a dedicated Associate Microbiologist to join our USP lab. The role involves routine analysis and testing for pathogens such as E.coli, Salmonella, and Listeria. You will be tasked with setting up samples, utilizing various types of media and dilutions, and conducting plating for yeast, mold, and total plate count. There is also an opportunity to train in our Probiotics lab in the future.</p> <p>Responsibilities</p> <ul> <li>Conduct routine analysis and testing for pathogens including E.coli, Salmonella, and Listeria. </li><li>Set up and inoculate samples using different types of media and dilutions. </li><li>Perform plating for yeast, mold, and total plate count. </li><li>Engage in enumerations of probiotic samples with high precision. </li><li>Utilize dilution plate methods and pour plate methods. </li><li>Participate in flow cytometry as you progress in the role. </li></ul> <p>Essential Skills</p> <ul> <li>Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences (Microbiology, Biology, Biochemistry, or related fields). </li><li>0-1+ years of experience in a production/manufacturing or food service position. </li><li>Strong microbiology skills, including aseptic technique. </li><li>Experience in food testing or food service. </li><li>Ability to multi-task and maintain high attention to detail, verified through references. </li></ul> <p>Additional Skills & Qualifications</p> <ul> <li>Experience with PCR and ELISA testing is a plus. </li><li>Proficiency in using various styles of pipettes and micropipettes, especially multi-channel electronic pipettes. </li></ul> <p>Work Environment</p> <p>This position operates in a lab setting focused on dietary microbiology and probiotics. The facility is fast-paced, resembling a production environment, where timely completion of tests is crucial. The microbiology department consists of around 20 employees and is housed in a separate lab from the chemistry department. The work can become repetitive depending on your group assignment.</p> <p>Job Type & Location</p> <p>This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Madison, WI.</p> <p>Pay and Benefits</p> <p>The pay range for this position is $21.00 - $21.00/hr.</p> <p>Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:</p> <ul> <li>Medical, dental & vision </li><li>Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital </li><li>401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available </li><li>Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) </li><li>Short and long-term disability </li><li>Health Spending Account (HSA) </li><li>Transportation benefits </li><li>Employee Assistance Program </li><li>Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) </li></ul> <p>Workplace Type</p> <p>This is a fully onsite position in Madison,WI.</p> <p>Application Deadline</p> <p>This position is anticipated to close on Apr 30, 2026.</p> <p>Diversity, Equity & Inclusion</p> <p>At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:</p> <ul> <li>Hiring diverse talent </li><li>Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection </li><li>Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes </li><li>Ensuring growth opportunities for our people </li></ul> <p>Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.</p> <p>About Actalent</p> <p>Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we've helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC-with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.</p> <p>Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.</p>