Head of Virology and Serology (m/f/x) Ref°51200

ABOUT THE MICROBIOLOGY DEPARTMENT and the SERVICE OF VIROLOGY/SEROLOGY

Microbiology Department and Virology/Serology Service

The Microbiology Department at the LNS comprises approximately 52 employees and it is divided into three diagnostic services that work closely together:

• Virology and Serology: This service focuses on the detection and analysis of viral infections and the diagnosis of syndromic infectious diseases using molecular biology and serological methods. It plays a crucial role in diagnosing and monitoring acute respiratory infections, HIV, and viral Hepatitis. It also serves as an expert laboratory for Enterovirus and Poliovirus.
• Bacteriology, Mycology, Antibiotic Resistance, and Hospital Hygiene: This service handles bacterial and fungal diagnostics, antibiotic resistance testing, and hospital hygiene. It ensures the highest standards of patient care.
• Pathogen Sequencing: The department performs pathogen sequencing to understand genetic variations and track disease outbreaks. Ongoing surveillance activities cover a wide range of pathogens, including Antimicrobial Resistance and Food-borne pathogens.

The Department of Microbiology actively collaborates with clinicians and other organisations to improve patient outcomes. In addition, we are engaged in translational work related to European and national projects, focussing on diagnostics and surveillance and serving as a national reference laboratory for acute respiratory infections, HIV and viral hepatitis. Our expertise also extends to enteroviruses, polioviruses and mycobacteria, while ongoing surveillance activities also cover antimicrobial resistance and foodborne pathogens. By working closely with other institutions, we prioritise One Health strategies. Our portfolio is accredited by OLAS according to the DIN EN ISO 15189 and 17025 standards.

Service of Virology and Serology

The Virology and Serology Service plays a crucial role in the diagnosis, surveillance and epidemiological monitoring of infectious diseases. It deals primarily with viral diseases, but also with rare bacterial infections. Key features include:

• Diagnostic Expertise: Utilizing serological techniques and molecular biology methods, the service operates in biosafety level 2 and 3 laboratories.
• Collaboration: The three services work closely with the head of department and exchange information in order to optimise work processes and adapt our portfolio to current and future needs.
• Data Generation: It generates essential data used by epidemiologists for informed decision-making.
• Innovation: The service is actively working with the genome sequencing service to develop new diagnostic methods and to identify and map circulating pathogens through the use of next and whole generation sequencing.
• Public health impact: By protecting citizens from bacterial and viral infections, the service contributes to public health policy.
• Sentinel surveillance: The service conducts sentinel surveillance to detect and monitor infectious diseases in specific population groups.
• Screening of risk groups: The service focuses on screening high-risk groups to ensure early detection and timely intervention.