Clinical Scientist Microbiology & Molecular Diagnostics PhD

Job Description:

The Enterprise Clinical Scientist, Microbiology & Molecular Diagnostics is a PhD‑trained laboratory scientist who provides system‑level scientific leadership and technical expertise across Intermountain Health’s clinical microbiology and molecular diagnostics enterprise. This role supports high‑complexity testing, test menu stewardship, assay validation, quality and regulatory compliance, and enterprise standardization across multiple laboratory sites.

The position functions as a trusted partner to medical directors, laboratory operations leadership, infectious disease specialists, and quality teams, ensuring microbiology and molecular diagnostics services are clinically appropriate, operationally sound, and aligned with Intermountain Health's goals for value‑based care, patient safety, and standardization.

Key Responsibilities:

Enterprise Clinical & Scientific Leadership

• Serve as a system‑level subject matter expert in clinical microbiology and molecular diagnostics
• Provide consultative support to medical directors, pathologists, and clinicians for complex test interpretation and diagnostic strategy
• Participate in enterprise forums (e.g., laboratory work groups, test utilization or stewardship committees)
• Support consistent clinical practice and interpretation across regional and centralized laboratories

Test Menu & Stewardship

• Partner with medical and operations leadership on enterprise test menu governance
• Evaluate new microbiology and molecular assays for clinical utility, operational feasibility, and value
• Support standardization of methodologies, reference intervals, and reporting practices across sites
• Assist with test retirement, consolidation, or replacement decisions

Method Development, Validation & Implementation

• Lead or support validation of FDA‑cleared assays and laboratory‑developed tests (LDTs) in CLIA high‑complexity environments
• Design and review analytical and clinical validation studies
• Develop and maintain technical documentation, SOPs, and validation summaries
• Collaborate with LIS, informatics, and operations teams during test implementation

Quality, Safety & Regulatory Compliance

• Support Intermountain Health's laboratory quality management system
• Participate in: Proficiency testing review and corrective actions, Quality improvement and root cause analyses, CAP, CLIA, and state inspections
• Ensure microbiology and molecular services meet regulatory, accreditation, and biosafety standards
• Contribute to enterprise patient safety and risk mitigation initiatives

Collaboration & System Integration

• Work closely with: Medical Directors of Microbiology and Pathology, Laboratory Operations Directors and Managers, Infectious Disease and Antimicrobial Stewardship teams, LIS and digital laboratory teams
• Support cross‑site alignment and knowledge sharing
• Provide escalation support for technical or clinical issues affecting multiple sites

Education & Knowledge Dissemination

• Provide education to laboratory staff, trainees, and clinicians on microbiology and molecular diagnostics topics
• Participate in laboratory rounds, case reviews, and enterprise education sessions
• Contribute to applied clinical research, abstracts, or internal best‑practice dissemination (as applicable)

Minimum Qualifications:

• PhD in associated field of focus followed by postdoctoral training program related to field. Degree must be obtained through an accredited institution. Education is verified.
• Eight years of advanced research experience with two years in a clinical setting.
• Comprehensive knowledge of department's applicable state and federal regulatory standards.
   

Preferred Qualifications:

• Eligible for full faculty appointment at the University of Utah.
• Lead author of articles published in nationally-recognized peer-review journals.
• Mentoring and teaching experience.

• Postdoctoral or professional experience in a clinical microbiology or molecular diagnostics laboratory

• Familiarity with CAP, CLIA, FDA, and state regulatory frameworks

• ​Experience with: Antimicrobial resistance testing and surveillance, Test utilization management and stewardship models, Laboratory informatics or LIS workflows

• ABMM certification or eligibility (preferred but not required)

Physical Requirements:

• Ongoing need for employee to see and read information, labels, documents, monitors, identify equipment and supplies, and be able to assess customer needs.
• Frequent interactions with providers, colleagues, customers, patients/clients and visitors that require employee to verbally communicate as well as hear and understand spoken information, needs, and issues quickly and accurately.
• Manual dexterity of hands and fingers to manipulate complex and delicate supplies and equipment with precision and accuracy. This includes frequent computer use for typing, accessing needed information, etc.
• For roles requiring driving: Expected to drive a vehicle which requires sitting, seeing and reading signs, traffic signals, and other vehicles.

Location:

Intermountain Health Intermountain Medical Center

Work City:

Murray

Work State:

Utah

Scheduled Weekly Hours:

40

The hourly range for this position is listed below. Actual hourly rate dependent upon experience. 

$75.54 - $116.57

We care about your well-being – mind, body, and spirit – which is why we provide our caregivers a generous benefits package that covers a wide range of programs to foster a sustainable culture of wellness that encompasses living healthy, happy, secure, connected, and engaged.

Learn more about our comprehensive benefits package here.

Intermountain Health is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

At Intermountain Health, we use the artificial intelligence ("AI") platform, HiredScore to improve your job application experience. HiredScore helps match your skills and experiences to the best jobs for you. While HiredScore assists in reviewing applications, all final decisions are made by Intermountain personnel to ensure fairness. We protect your privacy and follow strict data protection rules. Your information is safe and used only for recruitment. Thank you for considering a career with us and experiencing our AI-enhanced recruitment process.

All positions subject to close without notice.