Job Title: Clinical Microbiologist

Work Location: Middlesex County, MA

Summary:

Seeking a Clinical Microbiologist for a contract role (6 months to 1 year) to support clinical sample processing, bacterial isolation, and assay development in a laboratory environment. This part-time position (approximately 20 hours/week) offers a flexible schedule and the opportunity to contribute to innovative diagnostic platform development.

Responsibilities:

• Process a variety of clinical sample matrices (blood, sputum, urine, synovial fluid, etc.) using standard laboratory methods and ensure accurate bacterial isolation from complex samples.
• Perform microbiological characterization, including staining, biochemical evaluation, colony morphology assessment, and microscopy, as well as antimicrobial susceptibility testing.
• Critically evaluate and optimize existing bacterial isolation protocols, recommending improvements based on clinical experience and contributing to SOP development for novel workflows.
• Prepare samples for downstream spectroscopic and imaging-based analysis, troubleshooting and iterating on procedures to improve yield and purity.
• Execute experiments in BSL-1 and BSL-2 laboratory environments, maintaining strict adherence to safety protocols and supporting culture maintenance and media preparation.
• Generate accurate, well-documented laboratory data, maintain detailed lab notebooks, and support quality control procedures to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Collaborate with scientific and clinical teams on experimental design, data interpretation, and knowledge transfer to enhance team capabilities in bacterial isolation and characterization.
• Contribute to technical reports, internal presentations, and maintain effective communication within a small, collaborative team environment.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology, Clinical Laboratory Science, Medical Technology, or a related field.
• 3–5 years of hands-on experience in a clinical microbiology laboratory processing patient specimens (hospital, reference lab, or clinical diagnostics setting).
• Direct experience with bacterial pathogen isolation, identification, and confirmation from clinical matrices (blood cultures, respiratory specimens, urine, sterile body fluids).
• Proficiency with standard clinical microbiology identification methods: staining, selective/differential media confirmations, antimicrobial resistance characterization, culture morphology, biochemical testing, automated ID systems.
• Working knowledge of BSL-1 and BSL-2 laboratory operations and biosafety requirements.
• Experience with aseptic technique, media preparation, and culture maintenance.
• Familiarity with clinical laboratory quality control and quality assurance procedures.
• Strong technical writing and verbal communication skills; detail-oriented with strong organizational abilities and the capacity to work independently.
• MLS(ASCP), MT(ASCP), or MB(ASCP) certification strongly preferred.
• Experience with automated blood culture systems (e.g., BacT/ALERT, BACTEC) and automated microbiology identification platforms (e.g., VITEK, MALDI-TOF, MicroScan).
• Knowledge of antimicrobial susceptibility testing methods (Kirby-Bauer, MIC, automated AST).
• Familiarity with laboratory information systems (LIS) and electronic data management.
• Understanding of regulatory requirements (CLIA, CAP, state licensure, FDA 510(k) / De Novo).
• Previous experience in a research, biotech, or assay development environment in addition to clinical lab work.
• Experience with sample preparation for spectroscopic or imaging-based analysis.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, less-structured environment where initiative and creative problem-solving are valued.
• Ability to safely handle biological materials, operate standard laboratory equipment, and perform manual laboratory techniques with precision.

Published Category: Clinical Operations & Development