Summary of the QC Microbiologist role
As the QC Microbiologist you will report directly to the Microbiology Team Leader where the main purpose of your role will be to ensure that the raw materials, products and the production environment meet microbiological quality standards.
We are open to applications from candidates with varying levels of experience and would consider a recent graduate.
Who Are We?
We are a fast-growing global pharmaceutical CDMO (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organisation), with more than 50 years' experience in developing and manufacturing Active Pharmaceutical Ingredients (APIs). We are a proven and trusted partner to some of the world's most innovative biotechs and leading pharmaceutical companies and are widely recognised for our expertise in complex and hazardous chemistry.
We are a dynamic business, employing more than 1300 talented and passionate people in the UK, US and Europe who together support our customers in bringing new medicines to market, improving and saving the lives of patients. We support our customers through the full product lifecycle from pre-clinical development right up to full scale commercial manufacturing and today we are proud to have built a culture of excellence in science and unrivalled service.
Your responsibilities
* Performing daily laboratory maintenance and housekeeping.
* Maintaining stock of all media and consumables within the Micro Labs and QC Labs as a whole, ensuring continuous testing ability.
* Performing microbial testing, performing routine microbiological testing (Endotoxin, Bioburden) on, raw materials, in process samples, product and WFI samples to detect microorganisms. Analytical testing to perform TOC, conductivity, nitrates and appearance of WFI samples. Ensuring testing and documentation is completed and reported in a timely manner.
* WFI sampling, sampling aseptically and transferring to QC Lab for testing within a given timeframe.
* Environmental monitoring to monitor and assess the cleanliness of the production environments (clean outs), e.g. air, surfaces, equipment to maintain a low bioburden state.
* Sampling preparation, culturing and identifying samples with any contamination from microbiological testing.
* Data analysis, recording and analysing test results and completing in accordance to GMP standards, following all internal documents i.e. SOPs to ensure work is carried out correctly.
* Ensuring equipment is calibrated and maintained for accurate testing.
* Working to GLP and GMP standards and regulatory guidance. Initiating, managing and investigating deviations, change controls and CAPAs. Updating any documentation needed e.g SOPs, test methods.
* Ensuring compliance with all laboratory procedures, with all health and safety guidelines, with reference to COSHH and biological safety regulations and health and safety at work act 1974.
* Embodying our company values; Be Transparent, Be Willing, Be Reliable and Be Caring.
Requirements for the role
* Must have a degree in Microbiology, Biology or Biomedical Science to be considered.
* An understanding of microbiology techniques would be preferred but not essential.
* Attention to detail and accuracy in testing.
* Understanding of data analysis.
* Problem solving skills to assess and perform contamination investigations.
* Must align to our company values; Be Transparent, Be Willing, Be Reliable and Be Caring.
Why Consider Us?
Our collaborative and empowering culture is unique to us and is what really sets us apart as a business and this is built upon our four core values: Be Transparent, Be Reliable, Be Willing and Be Caring. We also run a variety of programmes across our sites to promote health, wellbeing and work life balance, in addition to supporting causes and charities close to our employees' hearts, encouraging volunteering within the communities we are part of and even arranging socials, through our global social committees, to encourage team building and reward our team's hard work.
At Sterling we promote mutual trust and respect regardless of your nationality, background, feelings, beliefs, gender or age. Our workforce, much like life, is made up of many different people with many different backgrounds, needs and perspectives. This is something we celebrate at Sterling, as it makes Sterling a better place to work and encourages innovation and collaboration.
We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package including bonus, pension scheme, private healthcare, Engagement Hub, cycle to work scheme, death in service coverage, on-site health and wellbeing support including medical consultations and physiotherapy, 24/7 employee assistance programme, employee referral scheme, sports and social club as well as opportunity for training and further career development.
Be caring. Be transparent. Be willing. Be reliable.