Scientist III – Wastewater Virome Genomic Surveillance

University of Wisconsin-Madison

Scientific lead in genome-resolved characterization of wastewater virome for the Lungfish surveillance program. Develop methodologies and manage project timelines and partner deliverables.

Posted 7/21/2026full-timeRemote • Wisconsin • 🇺🇸 United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $95,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

Use this summary to align your resume positioning with the role.

Demonstrates expertise in genome-resolved metagenomics and high-throughput sequencing workflows, with a strong focus on viral detection and characterization from low-biomass samples. Proven ability to lead research projects, secure funding, and mentor junior staff while effectively communicating complex scientific information.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Genome-Resolved MetagenomicsHigh-Throughput Sequencing WorkflowsProject LeadershipBioinformatics Pipeline DevelopmentWastewater-Based Epidemiology

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Genome-Resolved InterpretationShotgun Metagenomic SequencingProbe-Capture EnrichmentPython ProgrammingR ProgrammingLinux EnvironmentHigh-Performance ComputingData AnalysisResearch Methodology DevelopmentGrant Writing

Soft Skills

Excellent CommunicationStrong Organizational SkillsMentoringCollaborationProblem Solving

Certifications & Qualifications

PhD in MicrobiologyPhD in VirologyPhD in Molecular BiologyPhD in Genetics/GenomicsPhD in Environmental Microbiology

Industry Keywords

Viral CharacterizationEnvironmental Pathogen SurveillanceResearch FundingSample LogisticsPeer-Reviewed Publications

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

AssemblyLinuxPython

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Serve as the computational lead for detecting and characterizing known and emerging viruses from complex, low-biomass samples while managing project timelines and partner deliverables.
Attend and assist with the facilitation of scholarly events and presentations in support of continued professional development and the dissemination of research information.
Identify, write, or assist in developing grant opportunities, grant applications, and proposals to secure research funding.
Supervise the day-to-day activities of a research unit and staff and resolve routine personnel issues.
Lead genome-resolved metagenomic characterization of the wastewater and environmental virome, including ultra-deep untargeted (shotgun) sequencing and targeted probe-capture/hybrid-capture enrichment of priority and emerging viruses, and develop and validate the associated low-biomass nucleic-acid recovery and sequencing-library workflows.
Identify research problems and develop highly complex research methodologies and procedures.
Publish and present results to help advance research.
Serve as scientific and project-management lead for the wastewater virome-surveillance program — coordinating sample logistics and timelines across partner sites and funders, and supervising and mentoring a Research Specialist and junior scientific staff.
Serve as an institutional subject matter expert and liaison with key internal and external stakeholders providing expert level information and representing the interests of a specialized research area.
Collect and analyze highly complex research data, conduct experiments and interviews, and document results according to established policies and procedures.
Partner with the lab’s bioinformatics group and external collaborators (including the ORCHARDS team and multi-campus wastewater-surveillance networks) to co-develop and implement improved methods for low-input viral recovery, sequencing, and downstream analysis, and establish SOPs, QC, and standardized data-return systems.
Conduct literature reviews, prepare reports and materials and disseminate information to appropriate entities.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Demonstrated expertise in genome-resolved metagenomics / metaomics of complex microbial or viral communities, including assembly, binning/classification, and genome-resolved interpretation of high-throughput sequencing data.
The successful applicant will likely have a track record of characterizing at least 5,000 novel viruses from complex samples.
PhD in microbiology, virology, molecular biology, genetics/genomics, environmental microbiology, or a closely related field, with an outstanding track record of peer-reviewed first- or corresponding-author publications, preprints, and conference presentations.
Documented experience developing, benchmarking, and validating both untargeted (shotgun metagenomic) and targeted (probe-capture / hybrid-capture enrichment) high-throughput viral sequencing workflows from low-biomass or environmentally derived samples and using computational tools to assess these benchmarking experiments.
Demonstrated experience developing or substantially adapting bioinformatic pipelines for pathogen detection and characterization in HTS data, including programming in Python and/or R and working in Linux / high-performance computing (HPC/HTC) environments.
Experience with wastewater-based epidemiology or environmental pathogen surveillance, including sample concentration and viral-recovery methods.
Demonstrated independent project leadership: coordinating multi-step laboratory and computational workflows, managing large sample sets, and meeting funder/stakeholder deliverables on defined timelines.
Experience supervising or mentoring junior scientists, technical staff, and/or students.
Track record of securing or substantially contributing to competitive research funding (e.g., lead or co-author on funded grant proposals).
Excellent written and verbal communication and strong organizational skills.

Benefits

Comp & perks

generous vacation, holidays, and sick leave
competitive insurances and savings accounts
retirement benefits