QC Microbiology Manager

AbCellera; Vancouver; On-site; CAD 106,000 - 132,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

Annual bonus

RRSP contribution

Active Lifestyle Allowance

Health benefits

Job summary

AbCellera seeks a QC Microbiology Manager to lead GMP QC-Micro laboratory operations at our Vancouver DS facility and to support CMOs/CTLs. You will own the Contamination Control Program and mentor across microbial methods, EM, and investigations.

You will lead microbiology activities, oversee external testing, ensure data integrity, and maintain inspection-ready labs. Requires 10+ years in GMP QC microbiology and a Bachelor’s in Microbiology, with strong cross-functional collaboration.

Qualifications

• 10+ years hands-on QC microbiology in GMP settings.
• Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology or life sciences.
• Experience mentoring a microbiology team.
• Strong ownership, data integrity, and problem-solving.
• Interface with auditors and external labs.

Responsibilities

• Serve as QC Microbiology SME for CCS, EMPQ, and risk-based testing.
• Lead all Microbiology operations: bioburden, endotoxin, microbial ID, EM sampling.
• Coordinate Disinfectant Efficacy (DET) studies to support cleaning program.
• Oversee external testing and review methods and results.
• Provide SME oversight of GMP cell banking and adventitious agents.
• Mentor QC team and ensure aseptic practices and data integrity.

Skills

GMP QC Microbiology

Leadership

Mentorship

Environmental Monitoring

Microbiological Methods

Troubleshooting

Education

Bachelor's degree in Microbiology

Tools

Quality systems

Job description

Each of us cares about someone who will need medicines. That’s why our vision is to repeatedly beat the odds to deliver breakthrough medicines to patients that need them. We pursue truth and scientific rigour and have the courage to work at the edge of the unknown.

We are looking for a highly skilled QC Microbiology Manager to lead GMP QC-Micro laboratory operations at AbCellera’s biological Drug Substance (DS) clinical manufacturing facility in Vancouver, Canada and to support external Contract Manufacturing Organizations (CMOs), Contract Testing Labs (CTLs), and other external collaborators. This position is responsible for strategic ownership of the Contamination Control Program at the site in alignment with regulatory expectations and industry best practices. You will provide deep technical mentorship, and troubleshooting expertise across microbial methods, EM programs, utilities monitoring, and contamination investigations.

How you might spend your days

• Serving as the QC Microbiology SME for key strategic decisions related to microbiology, including contamination control (CCS), microbiological method strategy, environmental monitoring (EMPQ), utilities monitoring, raw materials, facility readiness, and risk-based testing approaches
• Leading all Microbiology operations, including bioburden, endotoxin, microbial ID, growth promotion, EM sampling, water testing, and trending
• Coordinating the execution of Disinfectant Efficacy (DET) studies to support our GMP manufacturing facility cleaning program
• Overseeing external microbiological testing, including reviewing and approving methods and testing results for raw materials, in-process, intermediate, and final product testing (DS, DP)
• Providing technical SME oversight of GMP cell banking and in-process bulk adventitious agents (mycoplasma, viral, etc.)
• Troubleshooting microbiological assays, contamination events, and EM deviations, ensuring timely and compliant resolution
• Leading or approving investigations of microbiology-related deviations, OOS results, EM excursions
• Verifying internal/contractor/partner QC-Micro data packages (batch records, test results, validation reports) for accuracy and adherence to ALCOA++ data integrity standards
• Providing daily in-lab mentorship to the QC team, fostering strong technique, aseptic practices, and microbiological best practices
• Ensuring microbiology labs and adjacent QC spaces remain inspection-ready, including GMP housekeeping and equipment readiness
• Interfacing with all auditors (internal and external) to ensure positive audit outcomes
• Collaborating with Analytical Development, Quality Assurance, Materials, and Manufacturing teammates to ensure smooth operational flow and timely release/testing
• Creating, editing, and adhering to Standards and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)

We'd love to hear from you if

• You bring deep Microbiology experience in a regulated (GMP) QC environment, and are confident in leading microbial methods, EM programs, utilities monitoring, and contamination troubleshooting
• You have experience mentoring or leading team members working within microbiology labs or cleanroom/controlled environments
• You have 10+ years of hands‑on QC microbiology experience in a GMP setting, in addition to a Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology or a related life sciences field
• You communicate clearly, collaborate well, and maintain calm, structured decision‑making under pressure
• You demonstrate strong ownership, accountability, and a solutions‑focused mindset when supporting analysts or resolving micro‑related issues
• You are organized, detail‑oriented, and committed to inspection readiness and data integrity
• You thrive in a fast‑paced environment, cross‑functional coordination, and prioritization of operational needs

What we offer

AbCellera’s hiring range for this role is CAD $105,600 - $132,000 annually, commensurate with your education and job‑related knowledge, skills, and experience. In addition to base salary, we offer equity, annual bonus dependent on team and company performance, and a 6% (non‑match) RRSP contribution.

You will have a CAD $1,500 annual Active Lifestyle Allowance, annual vacation, professional development opportunities, and comprehensive health benefits. Scientific and technical mentorship is a priority. And you’ll find a strong sense of community and connections across AbCellera through our work, clubs, and socials.

About AbCellera

Creating medicines is the most important work we can do.

We are a clinical‑stage biotechnology company focused on discovering and developing antibody‑based medicines in the areas of endocrinology, women’s health, immunology, and oncology. We have built a platform for advancing antibody drug programs from target to clinic, and we are using it to build our internal pipeline.
Today, our pipeline includes two drug candidates in clinical development, two preclinical development candidates (DCs) in Investigational New Drug (IND)-enabling activities, and more than 20 active discovery programs across multiple modalities and indicators.

We believe that when tenacious people share a vision and work together, they can truly have a positive impact. That’s why we hire for character and intelligence, not just for CVs or experience.

We look for people with drive and energy. People we trust. People who need to know their days are being well spent. That their work really matters. In the end, our success will be measured by the impact of our medicines.